2. Use new-look roster to your advantage
Mick Cronin vs Mark Few was a great coaching chess match to watch last March. This time, both sides will have ample time to prepare for this game. And there are two ways to look at this game from a scouting viewpoint. UCLA with most of the returning pieces has more chemistry and experience with one another, while Gonzaga has four official newcomers part of its rotation, along with Julian Strawther, who didn’t play in many meaningful minutes last season.
While I would normally give the Bruins’ staff the edge there, the Bulldogs are in the unique position of having recently dealt with this team just months ago. And Johnson’s game is fairly simple so there isn’t much work to scout on him. However, UCLA has to all but scrap what know about the Bulldogs last March, and deal with the unicorn that is Chet Holmgren, the No. 1 overall freshman recruit and a 7’1 wing/forward that can shoot from deep and take the ball to the basket, while also being an elite rim protector.
UCLA won’t even have much realistic tape on him since Holmgren didn’t do much against Texas but he didn’t have to with Timme doing all of the work. The likely assignment for him is versatile forward Jaime Jaquez, listed at 6’8. The Bruins have plenty of size at the wing positions but are undersized at the traditional power forward spot. And that could be problematic against a unique 7’1 big.
Even Iowa State transfer Rasir Bolton could cause problems from the backcourt if the Bruins aren’t ready, while freshman guards Hunter Sallis and Nolan Hickman are defensive threats that have size as well. And Stawther is a different kind of wing than Corey Kispert was, as he can take guys off the bounce to the basket if they’re not ready. Timme and Nembhard are the knowns but the unknowns could work to Gonzaga’s advantage.