The West Virginia Mountaineers are preparing to face the third-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first round of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas. Both teams are primed for an intense matchup, with the Mountaineers featuring a lineup of guards Javon Small and Sencire Harris, along with forwards Tucker DeVries, Toby Okani, and Amani Hansberry. On the other side, Gonzaga’s starting five includes guards Khalif Battle, Ryan Nembhard, and Nolan Hickman, along with Michael Ajayi and forward Graham Ike.
Gonzaga enters the game with impressive early-season accolades, which West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries acknowledges as a major challenge. DeVries described the Bulldogs as a balanced and highly efficient team, leading in multiple statistical categories. He emphasized their speed and transition game as key strengths, noting that slowing down their fast-paced style of play will be a critical task for the Mountaineers.
One of the primary concerns for West Virginia will be defending Gonzaga’s elite transition offense. The Bulldogs thrive on fast breaks, and their speed has been a major factor in their success this season. DeVries recognized that West Virginia has not faced a team with this level of speed yet, making it an unfamiliar challenge. The Mountaineers will need to adjust to Gonzaga’s tempo to avoid being overwhelmed by their fast pace.
To mitigate the impact of Gonzaga’s transition game, DeVries emphasized two crucial areas: ball protection and shot selection. West Virginia must ensure they limit turnovers, which would provide the Bulldogs with easy scoring opportunities. Additionally, choosing high-quality shots to avoid quick transition opportunities for Gonzaga will be essential in keeping the game close. By focusing on these aspects, the Mountaineers hope to neutralize Gonzaga’s strengths and give themselves a chance in the matchup.
