Busting Brackets
Fansided

Gonzaga vs Arkansas: 5 key storylines for 2022 NCAA Tournament matchup

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 19, 2022; Buffalo, NY, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jaylin Williams (10) celebrates after beating the New Mexico State Aggies during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2022; Buffalo, NY, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Jaylin Williams (10) celebrates after beating the New Mexico State Aggies during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
The Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAA Tournament Jrca3534
The Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAA Tournament Jrca3534 /

The West Region of the 2022 NCAA Tournament has been the only one that has gone chalk as we reach the Sweet 16. All of the top four seeds remain, including No. 1 Gonzaga and its opponent, No. 4 Arkansas. These are two of the winningest programs in college basketball and each has made the Sweet 16 in consecutive years, including the Bulldogs now with a seven-year streak.

It certainly wasn’t easy for either side. The Razorbacks had a 40-minute fight against Vermont in the Round of 64 before pulling away in the final minute. That game had a lot of offense in comparison to the 53-48 victory over New Mexico State, in which neither team got any kind of offense. But the SEC program proved that it can win any type of game.

Gonzaga proved it can win games against more physical and athletic teams in the first weekend as well. But they had even tougher fights, as they were trailing in the second half against 16 seed Georgia State before Drew Timme took over. Two days later, the Bulldogs were trailing by 10 points at halftime against 9 seed Memphis. But thanks to Timme (again), along with guards Rasir Bolton and Andrew Nembhard, the team was able to win in the final minutes to move on.

With both teams surviving a couple of scares, they’ll look to rest up and get some momentum in San Francisco for a spot in the Elite 8. There are plenty of storylines on the court, as well as off the court as well, with five-star prospect Anthony Black reportedly deciding between these two teams on Monday.

But what about Thursday night? Check out these key storylines for the matchup.