Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys to defeating Texas Tech in top 25 matchup

Guards need to find their footing

The Red Raiders’ ball pressure defense lives off of opponents’ inability to adapt and weather uncomfortable matchups. The No-Middle Defense that Adams and Chris Beard before him run is grounded in the principle of getting the ball handler out of the angles and positions that they like to run the offense out of. Often, the defenders angle their coverage to try and force offense initiators to the sidelines and drivers to the baseline for easy traps and help defense.

This isn’t the first time Gonzaga’s faced this defensive philosophy, as they played Beard’s Texas Longhorns the second game of the season. It should be noted, however, that Texas’ group of transfer guards did not and have not shown the ability to pressure opponents’ to the level that Beard’s teams at Tech would due to size and discipline. That’s not an issue for the Red Raiders. With the news that junior guard Mylik Wilson is sidelined with a knee injury, nobody that Adams puts out on the floor will be shorter than 6-foot-5.

That size and experience (Texas Tech has the 60th most experienced roster in college basketball) will force the Zags to need to be intentional with their ball movement and for Nembhard and company not to force entry-level passes into tough matchups. Holmgren and Timme also will need to adapt to pressure when they have the ball. The star-studded frontcourt averages over 5 turnovers per game combined.

A recurring dilemma for Mark Few and staff has been how to leverage their depth. In their loss to Alabama, the Zags were really only able to carve away the Crimson Tide’s lead when Hickman and Sallis were on the court. Hickman and Sallis’ speed would be a major asset in outmaneuvering their stifling defense and slowed-down tempo. The question is if they’re ready to take on that size and pressure. Hickman and Sallis are averaging 20 and 14 minutes per game and average 16.25 and 7.25 minutes when playing against ranked opponents.