WICHITA – In their infinite wisdom, the NCAA Selection Committee somehow seeded Gonzaga on the eight-line despite being in the top 10 in most metrics (including the NET, where they were eighth). The Bulldogs (26-8) will face the one-seed Houston Cougars (31-4) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday night. The Zags enter the contest on a five-game winning streak after beating St. Mary’s in the WCC Championship and destroying Georgia on Thursday afternoon.

What worries me most about Gonzaga is its defensive similarity to Houston. They BLITZ pick-and-roll and MONSTER trap in the post, almost exactly like Houston. That means, much like Houston, they see it in practice daily and know how to beat it. Can they execute it against a tougher and more athletic team? This one should be a battle that could come down to the final possession. It is an elite match-up between two elite programs, coaching staffs, and players.

The Bulldogs are led by “do it all” point guard Ryan Nembhard (#0), who is my head of the snake. Nembhard is listed at 6’0″, but I would venture to say he’s closer to 5’10”. He uses his size to his advantage, as he is extremely quick and can get under bigger guards to snake his way into the paint to make plays. Nembhard leads the country in assists, forty more than the second-place guy, and leads the country in assists per game (1.2 more per game than the next guy). He knows where to get the ball but is also a capable scorer at all three levels.

Joining Nembhard in the back-court is the explosive Khalif Battle (#99) and sharp-shooter Nolan Hickman (#11). Battle should sound familiar: while at Temple, he played against Houston six times. He is explosive and can do it all on offense. Hickman is a knock-down three-point shooter when he gets his feet set. The two starting forwards in the front court are leading scorer Graham Ike (#13) and typical Gonzaga tall, skinny, skilled forward Braden Huff (#34). They are similar players, and both are best when around the basket and using their left hand to score. Each can shoot the three but would prefer to do their work in the paint.

Gonzaga Offense Notes

• They like starting the game through their two forwards.
• Gonzaga LOVES to run a nice pick-and-roll play. **Watch for** Nembhard passes to the roller, driving down the middle of the paint. When the forward gets the ball on the roll, he looks to score or drop the ball off to the other forward on the block (if his defender decides to help). They killed Georgia with this play.
• They run a sick “Blind Pig” offensive set. **Watch for** Huff at the top of the key passes to a guard on the wing, then follows his pass to set a screen for that guard. On the weak side, the other Ike will flash to the free-throw line and receive the pass from the guard. Huff then backdoors to the basket for the wide-open layup. If they can’t hit Huff on the backdoor cut, they will hand off or pitch the ball to the point guard to look to make a play. Huff and Ike are interchangeable in this play, and they also love to run this play with Ben Gregg (#33) as the original forward and Huff as the passing forward.
• The Zags will look to run in transition when available. They all know that Nembhard will find them if they are open. Battle loves to attack the rim in transition.

Zags Defense Notes

• Gonzaga head coach Mark Few once said in a coaching clinic I attended that he likes starting games in a zone defense. He said he likes to feel the other team out, and he will stay in it if they struggle shooting vs. the zone.
• They will likely run 3-2 or 1-3-1 zone defenses.
• They like to run a full-court, 1-2-2, or a 2-2-1 zone press after shooting free throws.
• Sometimes, the Zags drop coverage on pick and rolls. This should give Milos opportunities to attack the paint. On other occasions, they will BLITZ the pick and roll.
• Gonzaga will double-team (MONSTER) in the post. The Houston forwards will need to be strong with the ball. They have turned the ball over some lately when double-teamed.
• If Houston can get the ball out of the double-team and move it quickly, they can get open shots in the corner from LJ or Eman.

Gonzaga Personnel Report

*#0 – Ryan Nembhard – 6’0″ – SR – Guard – (Creighton) – 11ppg, 3rpg, 9.85apg.

• Head of the snake;
• One of the best point guards in the country. Gets the ball in the right spot (9+ assists per game is CRAZY – #1 in the nation);
• Very small and lightning-quick point guard. Three-level scorer;
• He’s a leader.
• He’s so crafty in the paint – can score or kick out to open shooters;
• Really good outside shooter – 36/90 (40%);
• Solid mid-range shooter;
• Uses the typical small guard move…drives into you, then throws his head back to draw a foul. UH has to give him a little space.

*#99 – Khalif Battle – 6’5″ – GR – Guard – (Butler/Temple/Arkansas) – 13ppg, 4rpg.

• World Traveler! Long history with Houston as a former Temple Owl;
• Explosive three-level scoring guard;
• Excellent shooting off the bounce in the paint;
• Solid finisher at the rim;
• Outstanding in transition offense. He loves to get to the basket to score or draw a foul;
• Good outside shooter – 55/160 (34%);

*#13 – Graham Ike – 6’9″ – RS SR – Forward – (Wyoming) – 17ppg, 8rpg.

• LEFTY;
• Huge frame and their leading scorer and rebounder;
• If he catches deep enough in the post, you better double quick, or he will score. He can score with either hand but is much better with his left;
• Not bad at shooting the leaner in the paint.

*#34 – Braden Huff – 6’10” – RS SO – Forward – 11ppg, 3rpg.

• LEFTY;
• Moved to the starting lineup for the WCC title game and has thrived – he is 16/27 in the last two games for 36 points.
• Long and lean forward. Really hard worker;
• Really good left-handed push shot;
• Solid on either block; Best when going to his left hand, but more than capable with right;
• Doesn’t shoot many, but can make the three – 8/31 (26%).

*#11 – Nolan Hickman – 6’2″ – SR – Guard – 11ppg, 3rpg.

• SHOOTING guard;
• Played at the same high school as Houston signee Isiah Harwell;
• OUTSTANDING three-point shooter – 77/171 (45%);
• They like to run him off double-screens to get him open on baseline out-of-bounds plays;

#33 – Ben Gregg – 6’10” – SR – Forward – 9ppg, 5rpg.

• Athletic big man off the bench;
• Solid stretch-forward;
• Average outside shooter – 19/69 (28%);

#5 – Emmanuel Innocenti – 6’5″ – SO – Guard – (Tarleton State) – 2ppg, 2rpg.

• Tall guard off the bench;
• Super long wing-span; Solid defender;

#1 – Michael Ajayi – 6’7″ – SR – Guard/Forward – (Pierce State/Pepperdine) – 7ppg, 6rpg.

• Long guard off the bench;
• Best when getting in the paint.

#4 – Dusty Stromer – 6’6″ – SO – Guard – 5ppg, 2rpg.

• Tall shooting guard;
• Pretty good three-point shooter – 27/79 (34%).

Keys to Victory

1. Get the ball in the paint. The Coogs should be able to get the ball in the paint, especially when the Zags are in drop coverage. Milos, LJ, and Eman need to look to attack the paint early and see what they can get.
2. Keep the glass clean. Gonzaga has a ton of length in the frontcourt. It will be critical for Houston to keep the defensive glass clean and create extra opportunities with offensive rebounds that can lead to dagger threes.
3. Be strong vs. their double-teams. The Zags will likely MONSTER in the paint. The Houston big men have struggled recently against traps. They must make strong skip passes that could lead to wide-open corner threes.
4. Limit their transition offense. Nembhard and Battle want to push the ball up the court. Especially when Milos shoots, UH must get someone back on defense while everyone else is crashing the offensive glass.
5. Toughest team wins. WIN or GO HOME! This could easily come down to a toughness/culture play. Both teams have elite cultures. Who will make the most tough plays when their season depends on it?