Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys for Round of 64 matchup with Georgia State

By Bryan Mauro | Mar 15, 2022

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 08: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs walks on the court during the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament against the Saint Mary's Gaels at the Orleans Arena on March 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs defeated the Gaels 82-69. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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Gonzaga Basketball guard Julian Strawther Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Play like a 1 seed

Gonzaga is a one seed for a reason, they are well-coached and have a ton of talent. The Bulldogs play at a pace that very few in the country can replicate and lead the country in scoring and are one of the most efficient teams in the country.

Gonzaga has a ton of talent and great depth, they can beat teams in so many ways, and are one of the best-coached teams in the country. Say what you want about their conference schedule, but they have earned the top overall seed and need to take care of their business.

Gonzaga has no issue with being the team with the target on their back, they are going to get the best effort from every team they play the rest of the way, and that is honestly no different from how the rest of their season has gone.

Georgia State does some things that can disrupt Gonzaga a bit. The Panthers are one of the better defensive teams in the country and they are good at blocking shots and generating steals. Those are both things that have given the Bulldogs trouble in the past.

However, Gonzaga is the one seed for a reason, and they have a lot more talent than Georgia State. If Gonzaga does what they do and gets out and runs in this game it won’t be close, but if they let Georgia State dictate the pace it will be a lot closer than anyone who follows Gonzaga will want.

The Bulldogs need to come out and do what they do. Run and get out in transition get the ball to Chet and Drew Timme underneath, make three’s and end the game early. Georgia State doesn’t like to play fast, and they try and keep their opponent in the half-court on defense. Gonzaga can exploit their matchups as they have more height, better shooters, and just an all-around better team. If Gonzaga comes out flat, which they rarely do, it could be close.

The Panthers are not going to roll over and quit either they are in the NCAA tournament for a reason, so Gonzaga needs to get separation in this one quickly and be physical because the Panthers are going to play physical to try and throw Gonzaga off. Just play like a one seed and the best team in the country and everything else will take care of itself.