Monday, April 3, 2017

Gonzaga vs UNC: Who Wins?

The 2017 March Madness tournament has finally come to an end. But there is still one more game left to be played. The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the North Carolina Tarheels have made their way all the way to the end of the Natioinal Championship game. UNC is looking for redemption after being in the same game last year but falling to Villanova on a buzzer beating shot. Gonzaga is looking to win their first national championship game. Here is a main key to the game for both teams. 

Key for UNC

Contain the Twin Towers:
Gonzaga has a luxury that few other teams have. Two big men who can play. Przemek Karnowski and Zach Collins(also know as the twin towers) make a huge impact on games for Gonzaga. Karnowski, who is 7'1", is a huge post threat. Collins, who is 7'0", comes off the bench and replaces Karnowski, and provides a lot on the offensive and defensive end. In Gonzaga's most recent game against South Carolina, Collins had 14 points on 6-10 shooting, 13 rebounds, and 6 blocks. If UNC can contain the big men, then they can focus on stopping Nigel Williams-Goss, a dangerous three point shooter, and inside threat.  

Key for Gonzaga

Defend the three ball
We all know that UNC has a couple of players who love to take threes. Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson. Jackson is a player who can score inside and outside, but likes to take a lot of threes. In UNC's most recent game against Oregon, Jackson shot 4-9 from beyond the arc. Joel Berry II did struggle in the game against Oregon, shooting just 2-8 from beyond the arc. Berry has been battling an injury throughout the tournament, so struggles haven't been a surprise.

I think in the end, Gonzaga will win this game. I don't think the UNC big men will be able to defend the twin towers on Gonzaga. UNC also has to worry about Nigel Williams-Goss, and Jordan Matthews, who can both shoot the three ball really well. I think Gonzaga just has too many weapons. I'm predicting the score to be 72-65.