Busting Brackets
Fansided

3 keys for Washington Huskies to pull off major upset over Gonzaga Bulldogs

By Thomas J. Brown

Nov 24, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Washington Huskies and forward Keion Brooks (1) celebrate the victory against the St. Mary's Gaels at Anaheim Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Washington Huskies and forward Keion Brooks (1) celebrate the victory against the St. Mary's Gaels at Anaheim Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Huskies guard Keyon Menifield Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Huskies guard Keyon Menifield Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Get everyone involved!

In order for the Washington Huskies to upset the Gonzaga Bulldogs, they are going to have to play a team game and share the scoring load. On paper, the Huskies appear to be top-heavy; they currently have only two players who are averaging double digits points per game. However, a closer look at their roster reveals they have multiple players who can “get buckets.” They’ll have to do just that if they are going to emerge victorious against Gonzaga.

If the Huskies enter the game with the offensive mindset that it will be the Keion Brooks show, they will be predictable and easy to guard. They must move the ball around in order to make Gonzaga’s players exert their energy on defense. Gonzaga is currently averaging 80.2 points per game; one surefire way for Washington to slow down that output is to fatigue The Bulldogs by making them focus on multiple players on the defensive side of the ball.

In addition to Keion Brooks, the Huskies also boast freshman point guard Keyon Menifield who had scoring outbursts of 21 points and 26 points against North Florida and Utah Tech in November. While those ball clubs are nowhere near the caliber of Gonzaga, the fact that Menifield possesses the ability to erupt in the scoring column means the Huskies must keep him involved on the offensive end on Friday night.

Senior Guard Cole Bajema can look like a reliable second option on some nights and then disappear on others. Overall, he is a reliable shooter and is currently averaging 10.2 points per game. Everyone assumes that Keion Brooks will be ready to play on Friday, but a focused Bajema gives the Huskies a solid outside scoring threat that the Huskies will have to contend with if he is fully locked in. Other key contributors include big men Braxton Meah and Franck Kepnang. However, they may be forced to sacrifice some of their usual offensive contributions while concentrating on stopping Drew Timme from having an insurmountable impact on other several areas of the game.

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