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

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

Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Anton Watson (22) shoots the ball against UCLA Bruins guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. (4) during the first half in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

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UCLA Basketball (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Control Tempo

As is the case with most UCLA games this year, the Bruins will want to slow you down. They love to grind you out in the half-court on both ends, ranking 247th in possessions per game. Gonzaga loves to run, ranking top-50 in possessions per game. Gonzaga has gotten to 80+ in their two previous games with UCLA, which is not how the Bruins want to play. They’ve simply let Gonzaga dictate tempo.

To stop them from running out, UCLA will need to be precise in the half-court when they are on offense. Limit live-ball turnovers (which is one of their strong suiits) and send guys back in transition. Now, it’s not like Gonzaga can’t score in the half-court. Playing through All-American center Drew Timme, the Zags can slow it down at times and let him be an offensive hub.

However, the track record this season has shown when you can limit Gonzaga’s attack, you have a better chance. Gonzaga’s loss against St. Mary’s in January, the Gaels limited run-outs, made Gonzaga play in the half-court and made their suspect defense guard for long stretches. Let’s see if the Bruins can replicate that.

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