Men’s National Championship: 3 keys to victory for Gonzaga vs. Baylor

Gonzaga takes a perfect record into the Men’s National Championship Game in hopes of making history but this is what they need to win on Monday. 

It’s hard to imagine college basketball having a higher-anticipated Men’s National Championship Game than the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Baylor Bears facing off at Lucas Oil Stadium on Monday night. These were billed as the top two teams in the country all year and, despite the calamity of March Madness, they’re meeting with the title on the line.

Adding to the intrigue and excitement for the National Championship Game is how the first Final Four games played out. After looking infallible previously, Mark Few’s Gonzaga was pushed to the brink by No. 11-seeded UCLA, ultimately winning in overtime on an unreal buzzer-beater from star freshman guard Jalen Suggs. Meanwhile, Baylor cruised past Houston in dominant fashion.

The results of those games not only delivered two great outcomes and this title game but also put into question whether or not the Bulldogs can complete their perfect season. They come into this game at 31-0 and are looking to become the first undefeated team to win the National Championship since 1976 Indiana (drink).

So what does Gonzaga need to do to firmly etch their name in history and get past Baylor to win the program’s first-ever title? Let’s dive into the three biggest keys to victory.

Keys to victory for Gonzaga in the Men’s National Championship Game vs. Baylor

3. Drew Timme must assert himself early

Though much of the attention is paid to Jalen Suggs and Corey Kispert given their NBA potential, big man Drew Timme has been the Zags’ best player throughout the NCAA Tournament. He’s averaging 25 points per game over the last four rounds while shooting over 70 percent in three of those games. His ability to score on the interior in a variety of ways why also facilitating is phenomenal.

For as good as Baylor’s defense is, they don’t have a player who can match the size and fluidity of Timme on the interior. To set their elite offensive tone, the Bulldogs must look to assert Timme’s presence early and get that going. Not only will that get them on the board early to try and avoid what the Bears did to Houston but it will open up the floor for Suggs, Kispert, Joel Ayayi and so on.

2. Get out to the 3-point line on defense

It’s been mentioned relentlessly but Baylor is the most efficient 3-point shooting team in the country. It’s not just that they rely on one player to fill it up from deep either. Their four leading scorers, including Jared Butler and Dayvion Mitchell, all shoot at 38.9 percent or better while four of the five, with the exception of Macio Teague, all shoot above 40 percent.

Gonzaga’s nailbiter against UCLA was very much due to the fact that the Bruins offense had more success keeping up with the Bulldogs than any other team has. And a bit part of that was the efficiency with which they scored. The Zags allowed UCLA to shoot 57.6 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from long range.

Mark Few must have his guys staying closer to home and ready to close out quickly against Baylor to avoid the same thing. If they give the Bears open-enough looks from 3-point range, Scott Drew’s team has proven they’re capable of taking advantage of that. The result would be Gonzaga getting pushed yet again.

1. Open up transition after made shots

When you look at the phenomenal Suggs game-winner against UCLA, more impressive than the banked-in shot was the poise in the situation. He took the inbounds pass, made a beeline for the opposite end of the floor and got within 40 feet inside 3.3 seconds. Part of that is the incredible young player but it’s also partly due to the fact that’s what Gonzaga thrives on.

Any team can run in transition off opponents’ missed shots. But what the Bulldogs have been so dangerous with and why they’re a historically good offensive team is running after makes. Teams make a bucket and before they’re even back on defense, the Zags are putting in an open driving layup. They thrive on that.

Baylor has the guards to defend that, however — at least in theory. They have to recognize this aspect of the Gonzaga offense and be looking to exploit it. Subsequently, the Bulldogs must be locked in on making sure they’re able to consistently get on the move after made shots to get them in control of the game.

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