Another Laugher as Gonzaga Reaches the Round of 8

On an afternoon when Kispert was unusually quiet, attempting only one 3-pointer in the first 30 minutes, and Suggs committed six turnovers, the less-heralded starters joined Timme, the game-high scorer with 22 points, front and center.

Point guard Andrew Nembhard scored 17 points and had 8 assists, and Ayayi contributed 13 points and 8 rebounds. Their six 3-pointers combined were a retort to Creighton’s daring them to shoot. And it was also a platform to showcase the skills of Nembhard, a transfer who might be overlooked but was the first freshman at Florida since Bradley Beal to start every game.

Few repeatedly put Nembhard in pick-and-rolls with Timme, and sat back and watched him make one good decision after another, as the ball soon went whizzing around the court. Of Gonzaga’s 34 baskets, 23 came via an assist.

“If you make a mistake, they’re going to make you pay for it with the pass and create any easy opportunity for the teammates,” Creighton Coach Greg McDermott said last week, calling the Zags one of the best passing teams he has seen. “It’s one thing to be unselfish; it’s another thing to be unselfish and have the ability to deliver the pass on time and in the right spot.”

McDermott is no stranger to Gonzaga. This was the third time in the last four seasons they met. Creighton led each of the previous games by 7 at halftime, only to have Gonzaga put up 54 and 62 points in the second half to run away with victories.

There was no such drama on Sunday.

No matter the problem Gonzaga might confront, the answer is always more offense.

After Marcus Zegarowski sank a 3-pointer midway through the first half to draw Creighton within 27-25, the Bluejays just couldn’t keep pace. The Bulldogs’ lead was a comfortable 43-33 at halftime and got only larger as the ball zipped around the court with ruthless efficiency.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/28/sports/ncaabasketball/ncaa-tournament-gonzaga-creighton.html