Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys for Round of 32 matchup with Memphis Tigers

By Bryan Mauro | Mar 18, 2022

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 17: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs huddles with teammates during the second half against the Georgia State Panthers in the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 17, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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Gonzaga Basketball forward Drew Timme Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Play through Chet and Timme

These two absolutely dominated the game against Georgia State and their play honestly is what won Gonzaga the game. Timme is one of the most efficient offensive players in the country as he shoots 61% from the floor and is the focal point of the offense. He is the player that the Bulldogs try to get the ball to so he can go to work down low.

If Gonzaga is going to win this game it is going to be because Timme had a huge game and if they lose it needs to be on the heels of Timme, don’t go down without feeding the ball to your best player.

Holmgren is one of the most unique players to ever play for Gonzaga and one of the most unique players to play college basketball. He is 7 foot tall and shoots over 70% from 2, over 40% from deep and 75% from the free throw line, he is their defensive stalwart underneath as he blocks a ton of shots and is a great rebounder.

When he plays well Gonzaga is awfully tough to beat. These two big men are going to have to get going early in the game on Saturday because Memphis is going to have a slew of big athletic guys who are going to coming after them in the paint.

I have said for a while that Gonzaga struggles with athletic big men, it was evident in the game against Georgia State as they were struggling getting the ball underneath as the Panthers had an athletic big man in Eliel Nsoseme who eventually got hurt, but while he was in the game it was a struggle at times to get into the paint. Memphis is going to have far more talented players like Jalen Duren and Malcolm Dandridge who are going to patrol the paint and both of those players are good enough to cause a lot of problems underneath.

Throughout his career, Timme has always been a guy who can get really streaky from the floor and make a lot of shots that most guys can’t. Holmgren can take over a game just because of his skill set. It is imperative that Gonzaga set a tone early by going to their big men and making Memphis guard them.