Kentucky basketball: 3 keys to beating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Seattle

Things didn’t go Kentucky’s way the last time it took the court. The Wildcats are looking to bounce back from the loss to Clemson and take down one of the top teams in the country on Saturday. Gonzaga is the second top-ten opponent on the schedule this season and is arguably the most difficult team that Kentucky will play this year. 

Although this game is being played on a neutral court in Seattle, the stands will mostly be filled with Gonzaga fans. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t things that Kentucky can do to not only take the crowd out of the game but also leave the West Coast with a win. Here are three keys to Kentucky taking down Gonzaga. 

1. Win the rebounding battle

Kentucky and Gonzaga are two of the best rebounding teams this season, averaging more than 41 rebounds per game. Both teams are also incredibly efficient on the offensive end of the court so rebounding opportunities might play a larger role in the outcome of this matchup. 

Limiting Gonzaga’s second chance points will be critical in getting the win. The Bulldogs are averaging nearly 13 offensive rebounds per game and can make all the difference if Kentucky’s shots aren’t falling. But luckily for Kentucky, it too is a solid offensive-rebounding team. The Wildcats are averaging just over 11 offensive boards. On the season Kentucky is the top defensive rebounding team in the country, grabbing nearly 34 per game, which should help limit Gonzaga’s advantage while the Bulldogs are on offense. 

2. Get to the basket

Gonzaga has a solid defense but is vulnerable in one key area on that end of the court. That is defending inside the three-point line. The Bulldogs are allowing opponents to make 50.7 percent from two this season, which plays directly into how Kentucky likes to play. 

Kentucky likes to let it fly from three, but the Wildcats are one of the most efficient scoring teams inside the three-point arc. On the season Kentucky is making 60.1 percent of those shots. With nearly 60 percent of Kentucky’s shots coming from two, it will be important that the Wildcats can score from this range. 

If Kentucky can find success at the rim early in the game, then that should open up some wide-open shots from deep, which is where the Wildcats can separate from Gonzaga. 

3. Limit Gonzaga’s points in the paint

Gonzaga loves to drive to the basket and score in the paint. Over the past two games, the Bulldogs are averaging 54 points in the paint, accounting for well over half of Gonzaga’s scoring in those games. 

The Bulldogs might not be as efficient as Kentucky from two, but Gonzaga prefers to do most of its scoring from in or near the paint. This will be a huge challenge for Kentucky’s big men on Saturday. Amari Williams is an excellent shot blocker and post defender, but with how often Gonzaga will try to get to the hoop it will take more than just him defending the post. Brandon Garrison and Andrew Carr will need big defensive performances to slow down this Gonzaga offense. This also means getting solid perimeter defense and keeping the Bulldogs' ball handlers at bay. 

Kentucky has more than enough talent and experience to take down Gonzaga, but the Wildcats will need to be dialed in from the tip if they expect to win this one.