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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Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Play through Chet

Those of you who have never watched Gonzaga play, realize that they have something that no one in the country has. Chet Holmgren is the most unique player in the NCAA and one of the most unique players to ever play college basketball. The 7’1” true Freshman does everything to affect a game. He is shooting 61% from the floor, 74% inside the arc, 41% from three, and 75% from the line. Those numbers are impressive enough considering that he is only 18. Those numbers don’t even begin to describe how much of a difference the big man makes in a game.

To go along with the impressive and the efficient offense the freshman is also one of the best interior defenders in college basketball. He averages a shade under 10 rebounds per game and about 4 blocks per game. Those are both things that are going to help Gonzaga immensely in this game. Georgia State doesn’t have much height and Chet is going to be the best player on the floor all day long. The Bulldogs need to feed the big man early and often and filter everything on offense to the rim for him to clean up, get the rebound, and get out in transition.

It may seem weird to think that the offense would run through a big man, but as discussed, Holmgren is not your average big man. He is a very adept passer and doesn’t turn the ball over much. He can run the offense, dribble through traffic, and create shots for his teammates. The freshman doesn’t need to set up the offense, but he needs to touch the ball most possessions. Gonzaga is at their best offensively when he is a key piece to the offense.

Gonzaga has gotten in trouble when they have messed around and got three happy. The Bulldogs are a good three-point shooting team, but it is so much better when it comes because of running their offense. When they get to three happy, they can get in a little bit of trouble. Go to Chet let him do his thing and get out of Portland with an easy win. Chet should have a big game in the first game he is just talented not to.