First Big Preview of the Tourney.
Roster Lookup
Starters
- Ryan Nembhard (G)
- Height/Class: 6‑0, Senior
- Key Stats: 10.8 PPG, 9.8 APG 3.1 RPG, 39.3 3P% (only 35 made)
- Minutes: 35.0 MPG
- Nolan Hickman (G)
- Height/Class: 6‑2, Senior
- Key Stats: 11.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG 2.3 APG, 43.6 3P% (mostly catch and shoot)
- Minutes: 30.0 MPG
- Khalif Battle (G)
- Height/Class: 6‑5, Senior
- Key Stats: 13.2 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 33.3 3P%
- Minutes: 26.4 MPG
- Braden Huff (F)
- Height/Class: 6‑10 250lbs, Sophomore
- Key Stats: 10.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 23.3 3P%
- Minutes: 15.9 MPG
- Graham Ike (F)
- Height/Class: 6‑9 250lbs, Senior
- Key Stats: 17.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 36.7 3P%
- Minutes: 22.6 MPG
Bench
- Ben Gregg (F)
- 6‑10, Senior | 9.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 27.5 3P% | 20.5 MPG
- Michael Ajayi (G)
- 6‑7, Senior | 6.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 18.6 3P% | 19.5 MPG
- Dusty Stromer (G)
- 6‑6, Sophomore | 4.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 34.6 3P% | 18.3 MPG
Gonzaga Strengths
- High-Scoring Offense/Fast Pace - Gonzaga ranks among the national leaders in points per game. With multiple double-digit scorers and a team average around the mid‑80s, they can overwhelm opponents offensively.
- Efficient Shooting - Even if the three-point percentage hovers in the mid‑30s, Gonzaga’s overall field-goal percentage is usually quite strong. They convert at a high clip inside the arc and also draw fouls to get to the line (where they shoot well).
- Playmaking and Ball Movement- Behind Ryan Nembhard’s nearly double-digit assist average and Nolan Hickman’s steady handle, the Zags excel in assists per field goal made. They boast the nations better assists-to-turnovers ratio.
- Frontcourt Productivity - Graham Ike (and others like Braden Huff or Ben Gregg off the bench) give Gonzaga a solid interior scoring and rebounding presence. This inside-out versatility helps open up space for shooters.
Potential Weaknesses
- Three-Point Consistency - While they have a few capable shooters (e.g., Hickman’s 43.6%), overall three-point efficiency can be streaky. A cold night from deep can compress spacing.
- Defensive Lapses- At times, Gonzaga’s defense can give up runs if they fail to contain quick guards or strong perimeter shooters. They can be vulnerable in transition defense and sometimes allow opponents open looks from outside.
- Depth Issue and Potential Foul Trouble - The Zags do have some capable bench pieces, but much of the bench is younger or still establishing roles. Most key players do not have proven bench replacement if case of foul trouble.
The Matchup vs. Houston
Our Defense vs. Their Offense (Strength on Strength)
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They are an elite tempo team that thrives in transition but struggle in the half-court when forced to slow down. Houston won’t let them play at their preferred pace. They use a similar philosophy to Arizona (whom we successfully slowed down), but they are less physical.
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Discipline, discipline, discipline will be the key to this game. They excel at passing and cutting, exploiting gaps in the defense—especially if we lose focus.
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Ike is not a strong passer, so our traps should be effective against him. However, Nembhard has more experience, playmaking skills and should handle the pressure better.
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If we force them into a half-court game and stay disciplined, we can shut down most of what they do—except for Khalif Battle.
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The Khalif Battle X-Factor: He is their primary unknown. When he’s on, he’s nearly unguardable, but he can also shoot them out of games when he’s cold. Notably, he had a big game against us three years ago at Temple (but we still won comfortably- but Gonazaga isnt Temple). If they pull off an upset, it likely means Battle had a great game.
Our Offense vs. Their Defense
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No Zag starter is an elite individual defender or a true shutdown player. However, their team defense is excellent—they rotate well, trap effectively off picks, and provide smart post help.
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The weakness of their help defense is that with good ball movement, we should be able to create quality looks.
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They switch between different defensive schemes (man-to-man, zone, etc.), so adjusting on the fly will be crucial.
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Their 4/5 positions are more offensively oriented and not great shot-blockers. The Jwan vs. Huff matchup should be highly favorable for us.
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Ike defends with strength, pushing players out of the post, but he isn’t a major shot-blocking threat once you establish position.
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Their guards lack height, so we should be able to get shots up—especially from deep, where Sharp likes to shoot.
Rebounding
- Their rebounding numbers look great, but they may be inflated by their conference competition.
- This feels similar to when we played BYU, who had dominant rebounding stats, but we comfortably controlled the boards.
- They have size at the 4/5, but they aren’t particularly athletic. Our physicality should give us an edge on the glass.
- Bench Forward Ajay is their best rebounder, but playing him comes at a cost to their offense.
Intangibles
- They haven’t played a team like us under few and have only one day to prepare.
- We are a team you need multiple games to get accustomed to.
- Arizona plays nearly the same style (Tommy Lloyd is a Mark Few disciple). After we beat them as an underdog in the tournament three years ago, Lloyd admitted, “This isn’t a team you can beat without playing them a few times.”
- The Zags have never played us before, which works in our favor.
- However, Lloyd is likely providing Few with a detailed scouting report and strategic advice by tonight, which could be an intangible plus for them.
Prediction
Expect a lower‑scoring affair than usual for Gonzaga. It should be close at halftime, with us gradually extending the lead to around 9–12 points midway through the second half. At that point, we’ll look to slow the game down and control the tempo defensively. Ultimately, we escape with a win by 5