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

How Arkansas deals with Drew Timme

From a statistical standpoint, Timme was the MVP from the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. He went for 32 points and 13 rebounds in just 27 minutes in the win over Georgia State, before going for 25 points and 14 rebounds against Memphis, including 18 in a 10-minute span to start the second half to erase the double-digit halftime deficit.

Timme has been arguably the most dominant big man in college basketball of the last two seasons, including last year’s NCAA Tournament. He’s gone up against guys like Cody Riley, Kur Kuath, and current NBA rookie Evan Mobley. His next big man opponent will be Jaylin Williams of Arkansas, listed at 6’10 and 250 pounds.

Williams not only had an offensive breakout season but he also was named All-SEC defender as well. He has the size and length to potentially make things difficult but Timme is still going to get his throughout the night.

The problem for Arkansas is that Williams is so important to the team’s offense that him getting in foul trouble, or playing soft inside to avoid getting in foul trouble, would be a net negative for the team. An argument can be made that Williams should defend Holmgren and just use a variety of different defenders on Timme, including Au’Diese Toney, Trey Wade, and even 7’3 backup big Connor Vanover.

One strategy that can be used is to “front” Timme with a smaller forward and prevent any easy entry passes. The flaw here would be that either Holmgren or backup forward Anton Watson could use the “high-low” passes to throw it up to Timme in the paint for easy looks.

There ultimately is no easy answer for the Razorbacks here but that’s been the case for all Gonzaga opponents in the last two years. You just have to hope that he doesn’t go for 30 and is somewhat inefficient in the game.