UConn vs Gonzaga for a Final 4 Berth

[superjohn]

They hardly show up at Pauley Pavilion.

Not the same thing brother.

 

[superjohn]

Tournament matchup I've been waiting 24 years to see again. Just wish it was a round or two later in the tournament. Lot more meaningful than the 3rd place Atlantis game in 2015 lol.

Seen both of these teams in person a combined 10 times this season. Timme vs Sanogo should be fireworks if the refs don't hit either with some weak early fouls. UConn efficiency on the perimeter very well could be the difference along with depth. Hurley definitely needs to hit Gonzaga with the full court press as the Zags have struggled with that all season as shown tonight.

Now to decide if I can swing a late notice flight to LV to see this in person..

The problem for Timme is it's him against Sanogo, then it's him against Clingan.

 

[TheChamps990411]

It all comes down to two things.
1. Fouls. If Sanogo picks up two quick fouls and DC simply is too green to deal with Timme its going to be a problem. If its Timme who picks up a couple early ones and his supporting cast plays like they did against UCLA we could be looking at a replay of the Arkansas beat down.
2. As mentioned Timme cant do it all by himself. If the supporting cast for the Zags are not hitting shots its a blowout. If you cannot hit 3s against this team you are in trouble.

Should be a great game.

 

[aburks41]

Gonzaga just barely beat a UCLA team missing a stud in Jaylen Clark and their center Bona. It’s not a surprise that Timme went off for 35 against UCLA’s backup center who is just downright atrocious and averages 1 point per game.

They aren’t going to outrebound us by 20. They probably aren’t going to outrebound us at all. Gonzaga plays a 7 man rotation. Their center depth is non-existent. Their guards aren’t even close to Suggs level Gonzaga teams. They also don’t play any defense.

 

[caw]

They are the best offensive team (Orating)in the country for a reason. They are superb on that end and play at a pretty high pace.

Of course UConn happens to be #3 in Orating (fun fact #4 is FAU, Kst is at 49).

Gonazaga’s defense on the other hand is between Nova and DePaul.

Only three teams both teams played in Bama, X and SMC.

It’s going to be a high scoring affair I think.

 

[mauconnfan]

How is Timme going to guard Sanogo? It will be interesting to see how they try and guard us

How is Sanogo going to guard Timme? He hasn’t been as good on D as he has on O. Both he and Clingan will need to stay on their feet and move them as well, guy has tremendous footwork.

I don’t like Timme at all but this is a test. He also gets away with murder a refs favorite.

I like ours!

 

[storrsroars]

They are the best offensive team (Orating)in the country for a reason. They are superb on that end and play at a pretty high pace.

Of course UConn happens to be #3 in Orating (fun fact #4 is FAU, Kst is at 49).

Gonazaga’s defense on the other hand is between Nova and DePaul.

Through the three tourney games so far, both UConn and Zags have scored 245 pts, an average of 81.67/game.

However, Zags have given up an average of 75.67 ppg vs UConn's 61.

Advantage UConn defense.

 

[caw]

How is Sanogo going to guard Timme? He hasn’t been as good on D as he has on O. Both he and Clingan will need to stay on their feet and move them as well, guy has tremendous footwork.

I don’t like Timme at all but this is a test. He also gets away with murder a refs favorite.

I like ours!

Sanogo will have to hedge less, I am not kidding. The plus side is Timme initiates a lot of their offense. Sanogo will have to make Timme get touches further from the rim and move his feet if Timme faces him up. Make Timme work on the defensive side also. Timme is probably worse of a defender than Sanogo is.

Honestly, Gonzaga is a very good offensive team, UConn needs to control the boards like they have the past three games because Gonzaga has been hitting the boards hard recently. Both teams are fantastic offensive teams, but UConn as a whole is a better defensive team and should be able to limit Gonzaga a bit better than Gonzaga can limit UConn.

 

[Ewekon]

Take of two halves:

View attachment 85666

tale?

 

[homunculus]

Ahhh….memories of Quentin Hall and kicking to smithereens bunch of wicker baskets my wife had left near the television.

Everyone should have wicker baskets nearby for UConn games. Quite satisfying, usually not too expensive and rarely any sentimental value.

 

[mauconnfan]

Sanogo will have to hedge less, I am not kidding. The plus side is Timme initiates a lot of their offense. Sanogo will have to make Timme get touches further from the rim and move his feet if Timme faces him up. Make Timme work on the defensive side also. Timme is probably worse of a defender than Sanogo is.

Honestly, Gonzaga is a very good offensive team, UConn needs to control the boards like they have the past three games because Gonzaga has been hitting the boards hard recently. Both teams are fantastic offensive teams, but UConn as a whole is a better defensive team and should be able to limit Gonzaga a bit better than Gonzaga can limit UConn.

Sanogo has done a super job on body up players but less with guys who can create like Timme. Agree hedge less and move his feet like never before but will he. Timme leads the Zags in assists so we also need to stay away from the double team, AS needs to win this battle on both ends continue his dominance.

 

[kobebeanbryant]

I hope they let Adama/Timme play down low and the refs don’t get in the way with cheap fouls.

Clingan will need to stay disciplined.

 

[Khal Drogo]

Tournament matchup I've been waiting 24 years to see again. Just wish it was a round or two later in the tournament. Lot more meaningful than the 3rd place Atlantis game in 2015 lol.

Seen both of these teams in person a combined 10 times this season. Timme vs Sanogo should be fireworks if the refs don't hit either with some weak early fouls. UConn efficiency on the perimeter very well could be the difference along with depth. Hurley definitely needs to hit Gonzaga with the full court press as the Zags have struggled with that all season as shown tonight.

Now to decide if I can swing a late notice flight to LV to see this in

I hope they let Adama/Timme play down low and the refs don’t get in the way with cheap fouls.

Clingan will need to stay disciplined.

Don’t worry. I’m wearing my lucky UConn socks

 

[Phoenixhusky]

We are just as good offensively and have a significantly better defense. Keep it close at the half and we grind them out in the second half.

 

[HuskyNan]

Momma Castle is all in

 

[dogpause]

Sanogo will have his body on Timme from the moment he steps on the floor, and especially once he touches the ball. The only question is if Timme's quickness will save him.

 

[husky429]

Timme is probably worse of a defender than Sanogo is.

Timme is not in the same stratosphere as Sanogo defensively. 93 vs 103 defensive rating.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I mean, no.

You're no fun. Ok, he's second best, but isn't going to enjoy going against the best and third best.

 

[B1GEast]

Let Time get his points, stop everyone else. If our bigs stay out of foul trouble, we have enough depth to be okay

 

[RichZ]

Worked out well last time it happened

?

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

Timme is not in the same stratosphere as Sanogo defensively. 93 vs 103 defensive rating.

Idk anything about defensive rating but that sounds like the same stratosphere?

 

[CL82]

So, traditional blue uni, or black?

Not the black.

 

[CL82]

tale?

Um, take… because, ah, it was a give and take battle?

 

[connVA]

The problem for Timme is it's him against Sanogo, then it's him against Clingan.

I don’t think it’s going to be easy by any stretch, but get 2-3 fouls on Timme and the Zags suddenly have a major problem. I’m assuming Few is going to go with double teaming or some kind of zone variation as a counter, for which we need to make them pay with threes or alley-opps to Jackson all night.

 

[Slasher]

Gonzaga really doesn't guard. They win with excellent / efficient offense. #1 offense #73 defense. They're middling in rebounding. UConn is the better team but Gonzaga has some magic on their side. I expect UConn to win by 5-7 points.

 

[connVA]

Not the black.

Yeah, this is the Dance. That alternative crap goes in the trash.

 

[husky429]

Idk anything about defensive rating but that sounds like the same stratosphere?

100 is average. Higher is worse, lower is better. The stat isn't an exact science, but it's decent if you're comparing players on similarly ranked teams.

Generally I think of 90 as exceptionally elite defense. Anything 110 or worse is practically unplayable.

 

[BGesus4]

?

99

 

[Tenspro2002]

I don’t think it’s going to be easy by any stretch, but get 2-3 fouls on Timme and the Zags suddenly have a major problem. I’m assuming Few is going to go with double teaming or some kind of zone variation as a counter, for which we need to make them pay with threes or alley-opps to Jackson all night.

Yes, given how soft Timme is alone on defense, they're going to have to double Sanogo, and he has to be ready for a quick kickout or backdoor to Jackson at the rim.

 

[80shusky]

I watched the Gonzaga/UCLA game last night and I have to say after watching the ferocious defense UConn and Arkansas played against each other I think either team would be overmatched by UConn. But at this point it isn't really about just plain ability and talent anymore. All the teams have it. It's matchups and execution now. UConn is a bad matchup for Gonzaga. If they execute, it's over 15 minutes in. If they don't UConn can end up in a high 80s to 90s track meet game. Gonzaga doesn't defend they just try to score more points than you.