UCLA Basketball: 3 keys to beating Gonzaga Bulldogs in Sweet 16 matchup

When the loaded West region was announced in the 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket, it was quickly tabbed the best region as 5 of the top 11 teams in Kenpom were placed out west. There were a handful of storylines: the reigning National Champion Kansas Jayhawks and the health of Bill Self, a Rick Pitino-Uconn matchup with Pitino potentially joining the Big East, the upstart Northwestern Wildcats making their second tournament appearance.

But, one potential matchup caught my eye; a potential Sweet Sixteen game between West Coast powerhouses UCLA Basketball and Gonzaga. After second round scares, both programs advanced to the Sweet Sixteen to meet for the third time in three years. In the 2021 Elite Eight, the upstart 11 seeded Bruins gave undefeated Gonzaga a heck of a game, ending on a Jalen Suggs magical buzzer beater. Last year, in the same arena this weekend’s game will be played in, the Zags ran away from UCLA.

The Zags are the No. 1 offense in Kenpom this year. The Bruins are No. 2 in defense. There is an argument that Gonzaga is a “bad matchup for UCLA”. But, this is the first matchup of the three where the talent level is equal and maybe favors UCLA. Gone are some of the stars from previous mtchups, but we have some contiunity here with Jaime Jaquez and Tyger Campbell for UCLA, and Drew Timme and Anton Watson for Gonzaga.

What must UCLA to secure a victory? Here are my biggest keys.