How they match up,

Analyzing the title-game matchup between the Bulldogs and the Tar Heels:

BACKCOURT: GONZAGA

Nigel Williams-Goss is capable of being the best player on whatever court he’s playing on. He was, for stretches, in Gonzaga’s Final Four win against South Carolina, and he could be sneakily the most important player on the court Monday in game expected to be dominated by the big men. That’s especially true because the most important guard for North Carolina — Joel Berry II — is hobbled by a pair of ankle injuries.

Berry played 35 minutes in Saturday’s national semifinal but didn’t shoot well (2-for-14). Still, his coaches were thrilled he played and didn’t sprain either ankle worse — which isn’t necessarily the most encouraging sign for an impact player. When Berry is off the court, North Carolina’s offense does not work nearly as well as when he’s on it, as evidenced by a painful loss to Duke in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.

Nate Britt can provide a spark off the bench, but Berry is the straw that stirs this team. If he’s not 100%, the edge clearly goes to the Zags. One X factor here is Justin Jackson, the ACC player of the year, who can take over a game essentially on his own.

FRONTCOURT: GONZAGA

This is a matchup of strength against strength — and it will be the matchup that ultimately determines the outcome of this game. On one side, you have the towering 7-footers of Gonzaga, Przemek Karnowski, Johnathan Williams and Zach Collins. On the other side, you have Kennedy Meeks — coming off the best game of his career, 25 points and 14 rebounds to lead North Carolina past Oregon — who is basically an immovable force in the paint.

The edge here goes to the Zags, though, because of the question mark behind Meeks. Isaiah Hicks and Theo Pinson combined to go 4-for-22 from the field in Saturday’s national semifinal. Tony Bradley and Luke Maye each contributed just two points off the bench. That’s not the kind of production that’s going to be required to keep pace in a game that’s going to be bruising down low.

MARK J. REBILAS, USA TODAY SPORTS Nigel Williams- Goss exults during Gonzaga’s 77-73 victory against South Carolina on Saturday. The junior scored a game-high 23 points.

BOB DONNAN, USA TODAY SPORTS Zach Collins, right, is one of three 7-footers defending the paint for Gonzaga.