Versatility
Gonzaga can play about any style of basketball, so it’s difficult to game plan for the Bulldogs. In the first half against South Carolina on Saturday, Gonzaga went up-tempo, which is its preferred style. Getting the ball upcourt quickly helped them avoid the physical pressure the Gamecocks love to exert on opposing guards. Starting guard Nigel Williams-Goss excelled in that type of game, finishing with 23 points. He made nine of his first 12 shots. The Gamecocks used a variety of defensive looks in the second half, including a half-court zone and some full-court pressure. That's not something North Carolina is likely to do. Tar Heels coach Roy Williams likes man defense and up-tempo offense.
Depth
Both teams have it. Gonzaga received great performances off the bench in its victory. Freshman center Zach Collins is one reason the Bulldogs’ program should be in good shape for years to come. A backup, he scored 14 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked six shots. He did all that in 23 minutes of action. A couple of those blocks came in the final minutes with the Bulldogs protecting a small lead. Williams defending North Carolina forward Justin Jackson.
Centers of attention
Monday's game will be big-boy basketball, literally. Gonzaga's Karnowski is 7-foot-1 and 300 pounds. His backup, Collins, is also 7-0 and physical. The Tar Heels counter with center Kennedy Meeks who is listed at 6-10 and 260 pounds. He looks like he weighs more than that. Oregon could not keep him off the boards. Meeks finished with 25 points and 14 rebounds, eight of which were on the offensive end.
Who will shoot it better?
Judging by Saturday's semifinals, it will be Gonzaga. The Zags were the only one of the four teams on Saturday to shoot better than 40 percent (48.3). North Carolina missed 17 of its first 23 shots and shot 36.8 percent overall. Maybe playing basketball in a football stadium had something to do with it. But Gonzaga has shot the ball well all season, and North Carolina isn't likely to survive another extended slump.