UCLA Basketball: 3 keys to beat Gonzaga Bulldogs in No. 1 vs 2 matchup

3. Control the tempo and the ball

With Gonzaga and UCLA ranked fourth and seventh in the nation in offensive efficiency this season, ball control will become paramount in deciding who wins this back and forth game. The matchup of Tyger Campbell and Andrew Nembhard becomes a key component to deciding this game.

Both guards are unassuming in terms of name recognition because they facilitate their star weapons so well, but are a major impact in getting their teams going. Nembhard and Campbell take care of the ball and if one is able to disrupt the other, that may be the deciding factor. If Campbell is able to get Nembhard uncomfortable, so goes the rest of Gonzaga’s offense.

Gonzaga looks to score in the fastbreak to help their guys get looks as close to the basket as possible. Transfer Rasir Bolton and freshmen Hunter Sallis and Nolan Hickman are some of the fastest players in the country and will make lackadaisical transition defense pay for not getting back fast enough. The Bruins will need to muck it up a little bit, playing into Cronin’s preferred half-court offense.

This may pay dividends as the Zags have not had to operate in the half-court often this year. UCLA’s length could be a tough new look as well, having the biggest size spread across all positions that the Bulldogs have faced all season.