FSU Basketball: 3 keys to beating Gonzaga and advancing to Elite 8

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 18: PJ Savoy #5 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after defeating the Xavier Musketeers during the second half in the second round of the 2018 Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 18, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 18: PJ Savoy #5 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after defeating the Xavier Musketeers during the second half in the second round of the 2018 Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 18, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Crash The Boards

The Gonzaga Bulldogs come into the game averaging 40 rebounds per game with FSU averaging 38 per game.

Gonzaga is only allowing opponents to secure 31 rebounds on the season with FSU allowing opponents to secure 35 per game.

Again, we have to remember that FSU has played better competition in conference play so that’s skewing things a tad.

It should be noted 28 percent of Gonzaga’s rebounds are offensive, so FSU will have to limit those because Gonzaga isn’t a team one can afford to give extra offensive possessions as they don’t beat themselves.

On the contrary, 30 percent of FSU’s rebounds on the season have been of the offensive variety.

If FSU can limit Gonzaga to one possession with defensive rebounding while crashing the boards on the offensive end that will do two things.

It’ll limit Gonzaga’s offensive possessions while creating transition opportunities, and offensive rebounding will limit opportunities for the Bulldogs to get in transition scoring opportunities.