UConn Basketball: 3 keys to beating Gonzaga Bulldogs in Elite 8 matchup

Defense wins championships

Much of the talk leading up to this matchup will be centered around these two historically efficient offenses. These are the two best offenses in college basketball, and at this point I’m not ready to even insert another team into the conversation.

While nobody is arguing that scoring points isn’t impressive and fun, one of the oldest testaments in sports is that defense wins championships. It is on this end that UConn boasts its greatest advantage.

As great as the Huskies are offensively, the numbers suggest they are just as good defensively. Per Kenpom, the Huskies have the 13th most efficient defense in all of college basketball. The Huskies make opponents work for every single look. Beyond the three point line, in the midrange area, at the basket. Regardless of where you’re trying to score from, this team is going to make you earn it.

Not only do the Huskies force misses, they also block shots and don’t concede many offensive rebounds. Cutting out second chances will be a significant key against the Zags. The only offense better than UConn’s right now is Gonzaga’s. Gonzaga is going to score points, but UConn is also going to force some misses. The Huskies have to cut out extra opportunities for Gonzaga, because you can only keep them from scoring but so many times.

When comparing these two squads, the biggest edge you can find is UConn’s defense. It may not always make headlines, but the Huskies play superb defense and Gonzaga doesn’t. If UConn continues to defend the UConn way, it could put the Huskies over the top when the final horn sounds.