Gonzaga vs. UCLA Preview

The #14 Gonzaga Bulldogs are headed to in the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles to wrap up their non-conference schedule against the #22 UCLA Bruins on Saturday night. Tip-off at 1:00 PM Pacific Time, coverage provided by Fox Sports.

After a tough stretch featuring narrow losses to Kentucky and UConn, the Zags are coming off two solid victories over Nicholls State and Bucknell. In both games, Gonzaga started slow but cruised to comfortable wins, thanks to dominant performances from a newly revitalized Graham Ike in the frontcourt. UCLA, on the other hand, is coming off a heart-wrenching two-point loss to UNC, where big man Tyler Bilodeau scored 26 points in 24 minutes of action, while the team’s other four starters combined for just 11 points on the night.

Both teams have struggled to consistently play to their potential this season, but as with any Gonzaga/UCLA matchup, fans should expect both teams to come out ready to be physical and push to control the pace of play—whether it’s pretty or not. A high-powered offense like Gonzaga’s against a hard-nosed defense like UCLA’s is always a recipe for an intense and often ugly battle. Fortunately for the overall heart-health of fans, unlike previous matchups, neither team’s entire season is on the line this Saturday. As memorable as recent Bulldog/Bruin games have been, I don’t think I can physically sustain another tournament matchup with UCLA in my lifetime.

The Bulldogs/Bruins Rivalry

By my estimation, 3 of the most memorable moments in Gonzaga basketball history have come against UCLA. It began in 2006, when the Bulldogs faced the Bruins in the NCAA tournament, a game in which they led for the bulk of regulation. In the second half, however, the Zags spectacularly blew a late lead in catastrophic way, losing 73-71, and ending the career of all-time Zag Adam Morrison in a less-than-ceremonious fashion. More recently, the rivalry produced one of the greatest college basketball games of the last decade. With a trip to the National Championship on the line, the Zags and Bruins went back and forth all night, eventually winding up tied in overtime with 3 seconds left on the clock. After a quick inbound, Jalen Suggs sprinted down the floor and hit a half-court prayer of a shot to end the Bruins’ season there on the spot and send the Zags back to the natty. Even more recently, as many Bulldog fans were re-living the trauma of 2006, watching another late lead slip away to the Bruins, Julian Strawther buried a deep shot in the game’s final seconds, sparing them from a UCLA comeback that felt as unbearable as the one from all those years ago.

Check out the videos below for a quick refresher on some of the greatest moments in this rivalry’s history.

Meet the Bruins

Ranked #22 / Record: 10-2, KenPom #17

Mick Cronin’s coaching style at UCLA is built on grit, physicality, and an unwavering commitment to defense—sometimes at the expense of making it look as though he’s never coached an offensive set in his career. Cronin’s teams are typically well-drilled in man-to-man coverage, emphasizing denying passing lanes, contesting every shot, and pressuring the ball at all times. His teams are great at forcing opponents into tough, low-percentage shots, often without fouling. This defensive discipline makes it incredibly difficult for opposing offenses to find a rhythm, and over 40 minutes, fatigue and frustration can set in and allow the Bruins opportunities to capitalize.

Offensively, UCLA’s strategy in 2024 has been a mixed bag. Despite recent improvements in establishing a strong low-post presence, the Bruins have faced issues with shooting efficiency, particularly from the free-throw line, where they’ve underperformed in some extremely clutch situations. At times, their offense has lacked urgency, bogging down with turnovers and a lack of fluidity in half-court sets. Cronin’s challenge this season has been the same one he’s faced his entire career: balancing his team’s defensive identity with the need for more offensive punch.

UCLA’s depth is notable, with 10 players averaging 10+ minutes per game. Despite having talented playmakers like Eric Dailey Jr. (10.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG) and Sebastian Mack (10.3 PPG), the offense has increasingly run through big man Tyler Bilodeau. The Oregon State transfer is currently averaging 15 points on 51% shooting and does an excellent job of taking care of the ball and staying out of foul trouble. He leads the team in minutes, and for a 6’9” forward, he’s also one of the Bruins’ best outside threats, shooting 43% from beyond the arc. Bilodeau went 5-6 from three against UNC, so the Zags will need to stay disciplined in protecting the basket if/when its frontcourt is pulled out of position to contest his outside shots.

Keys to Victory

Play Physical, But Keep Composed

Some games are bound to come down to the officials, and with Mick Cronin’s aggressive defensive style, referees will have to decide how to officiate the game from the opening tip. Gonzaga needs to play physical but remain disciplined—avoiding unnecessary fouls on the perimeter and staying within the flow of the game. Given that the Bruins occasionally stall offensively all on their own, Gonzaga shouldn’t get overly aggressive in trying to force turnovers or create unnecessary contact, especially on vertical contests in the paint.

Take Care of the Ball

Cronin’s style thrives on forcing turnovers and scoring in transition. Ryan Nembhard has had some issues with ball control in recent games (4 turnovers against Bucknell, 5 against Nicholls State) and will need to manage the offense carefully against UCLA’s handsy, trap-happy backcourt defense. The Bruins have forced 12+ turnovers in 10 different games this season, including 18 against UNC and 22 against Arizona. Gonzaga will need to make every possession count, sprint back defensively, and force UCLA to execute their offense in the half-court.

Exploit Free-Throw Shooting Discrepancies

One of UCLA’s biggest weaknesses this season has been poor free-throw shooting. On the other hand, Gonzaga currently ranks #7 in the nation with 81.1% from the line on 21.4 attempts per game. If the Zags can force UCLA into fouling situations, particularly in the second half when fatigue sets in, they can gain a significant advantage at the free-throw line. Expect to see a lot of low-post one-on-one action with Ike and Huff to draw contact from Bilodeau and the other UCLA bigs. Similarly, Nembhard and Khalif Battle should look to get downhill and draw contact against UCLA’s guards, either at the rim or on the way there.

Importance of the Game

If no other WCC schools crack the top 25 between now and Selection Sunday (which seems likely), this will be Gonzaga’s final game against a ranked opponent before the tournament. Games like this matter for the selection committee when determining tournament seeding, and a statement win over UCLA in the final stretch of non-conference play could be crucial for Gonzaga’s seeding come March.