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Arizona Basketball: Arizona takes on Gonzaga for West Coast bragging rights

By David Rosen

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on during the first half of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The biggest game of the season is upon us as the No.15 ranked Arizona Basketball team takes on No.6 Gonzaga at home this Saturday night.

Statement game for Arizona Basketball. It’s that time again when two of the best teams on the west coast face one another, Arizona vs. Gonzaga. This game has a lot on the line for both teams, more so for the Wildcats. After falling short Top 20 team in Baylor, the Wildcats look for redemption against the No.6 Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Quad 1 win, confidence booster and national exposure for recruiting. These are three things that they can gain from a win at home against one of the top teams in the country.  With much on the line, the pressure is there for the Wildcats to perform and to prove why they deserve to be in the talk as a Final Four team.

They learned a lot about themselves against Baylor, including things they will need to focus on if they want to get the win Saturday night. One of those is rebounding on both ends of the court among other things.

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Currently, the Wildcats are ranked 126th in offensive rebounds, 33rd in defensive rebounds and 44th overall. That compared to Gonzaga, who are ranked 19th in offensive rebounds, 9th in defensive rebounds and 8th overall. The Wildcats will have to find a way to limit 2nd chance points on defense, while at the same time being aggressive on the offensive end in attacking the glass.

Their opponent is 10-1 on the season, with the only loss coming to Michigan in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. They do have wins over both Oregon and Washington. Like Arizona, Gonzaga is stacked with talent and can score with the best of them. They rank 4th in the nation with 85.9 points per game.

The Bulldogs have the depth and versatility to be a dangerous team, just like Arizona. The only difference right now is their opponent is extremely confident, especially after winning a big-time game on the road in a hostile environment against the Huskies. The last two times they defeated the Wildcats on neutral sites. This time it’s at home.

Their leading scoring is 6 foot 11 sophomore Filip Petrusev, who is averaging 15.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Drew Timme, a former Wildcat target, is another big man at 6 foot 10, who is averaging 10.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. These are just two of many players the Wildcats will need to limit on offense.

In total, the Bulldogs have five players averaging in double-figure points, wow. The Wildcats will need to play 40 minutes of lockdown defense to have any chance in this one. They can not afford many mental lapses as a team like Gonzaga will punish them.

On offense, besides rebounding, the Wildcats have to make their shots, especially the easy ones down low. Also, they have to find ways to attack the ball as much as possible, putting pressure on the Bulldogs bigs to run the floor. Making their three-point shots will be huge too and it will open options for the Wildcats down low.  One other key thing to pay attention to is how Zeke Nnaji handles the double team because you know that’s coming.

The crowd will be a huge factor as well in this matchup as McKale Center will be loud. Two Top 20 teams facing off against one another in December, can’t ask for anything better. Oh wait, yes you can…a Wildcat win!

The starting five will need to set the tone early, get the crowd into and give their team the best chance to win this one. Expect to see Nico Mannion, Josh Green and Nnaji step up their game. Expect the returning players who faced Gonzaga last time to have revenge on their minds. Expect Mckale Center to be loud!

Game Information:
Date: Saturday, December 14th

Time: 8pm MST, 7pm PST

Location: McKale Center

Television: ESPN2

Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network Arizona Wildcats (Try Tunein Radio)

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At Zona Zealots, we have been waiting a while for this one. With west coast bragging rights on the line who will step up and come away victorious.  We will soon find out. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!

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