INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — In a tournament full of upsets, no team seems safe. However, you could make the case that this Gonzaga (28-0) team is the one upset-proof team. Trying to be the first undefeated team since Indiana in 1976, they have looked dominant against everyone they have faced.
On Monday, things were no different as they took on the 8th seeded Oklahoma Sooners (16-11). Using an elite performance from center Drew Timme, they led by as many as 18 in an 87-71 rout of Oklahoma. Timme was unstoppable, scoring a career-high 30 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to secure a double-double.
On offense, Timme and Gonzaga were relentless in getting to the free-throw line. They drew 21 Oklahoma fouls, resulting in 26 free-throw attempts; they made those count, knocking down 23 to shoot 89% as a team. Individually, Timme had a career-high in attempts (14) as well as makes (12) from the foul line. He said after the game that he has put extra work into his free-throws to try to improve his percentage.
“You know, my percentage is something that is unacceptable to me and I hold myself to a high standard, so I’ve been repping it out every single day, and it’s something that I’ve been actively trying to work on. I’m just glad that the work is paying off, especially in a close game like that. I felt like that was a big part of the game,” said Timme.
Gonzaga dominates despite a strong outing from Reaves
For Oklahoma, they were dealt a blow before the tournament even began. Their 2nd leading scorer, De’Vion Harmon, was ruled out of the first two games after testing positive for COVID-19. In response, they knew they were going to need elite performances from their top scorer, Austin Reaves, if they wanted their season to continue.
Against Gonzaga, he gave everything he could. He scored 27 points on 11-17 shooting as the main scorer for Oklahoma. He went to work on Timme, who found himself switched onto Reaves on almost every possession. Oklahoma used ball screens to pick the matchup Reaves wanted, and he would attack.
However, it was not enough to outdo what Gonzaga brought to the table. For Gonzaga, look no further than the trio that has gotten it done all year. Timme along with Corey Kispert and Jalen Suggs combined for 62 points on 19 of 36 shooting. Add on another 12 from Joel Ayayi and it is clear why the Sooners were outmatched.
“Gonzaga is good. They’re really good. They cut hard, move the ball well. Mark (Few) does a terrific job. A lot of guys that play unselfishly and play the game the right way, and I thought we got a little better feel for the pace of things in the second half and cut into it a little bit, couldn’t quite get back to make them too nervous,” said Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger.
Up Next
No. 1 Gonzaga vs. No. 5 Creighton, Sunday, March 28, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
