3 keys for Washington Huskies to pull off major upset over Gonzaga Bulldogs
Stop Drew Timme!
Senior forward Drew Timme is having another stellar season for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He is a player who can impact the game in multiple ways; his passes are often more spectacular than any shot he is able to convert. If the Huskies are going to upset the Bulldogs on Friday, they cannot allow Timme to have a signature moment like he did against the Kentucky Wildcats earlier this season. A performance like that will all but ensure a loss for the Huskies.
The Huskies’ best two big men are juniors Braxton Meah and Franck Kepnang. While each of them is taller than Timme, neither player can match his unique combination of agility and vision. Unfortunately, Kepnang is out with an injury, forcing Washington to use other means. They will have to guard him by committee, relying on their teammates for help if he drifts too far away from the basket in an attempt to lure them outside of their comfort zone. Timme is currently averaging 19.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. A stat line similar to this will be hard for the Huskies to overcome. In order to escape with a victory, they must be determined to hold him below his season averages.
According to the pundits, the Washington Huskies are supposed to be another bump in the road during Gonzaga’s journey back to a high ranking and a favorable position to start the annual March Madness tournament. However, an impressive performance against the Bulldogs could have voters considering whether or not the Huskies belong in the Top 25. The Zags have become an annual powerhouse and defeating them certainly qualifies as a high-quality win.
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In order to escape with an upset victory, the Huskies must defend the 3-point line, share the scoring load, and contain the All-American on their opponent’s roster. If they are able to do those things, they have a shot at achieving the upset. If they don’t, they’ll be disappointed in the result, knowing they let a major opportunity slip through their fingers.