Compiled some thoughts from Eric Musselman, Mark Few and players from both teams on the matchup...
Arkansas and Gonzaga meet in the first Sweet 16 game Thursday evening.
It's a matchup of two top-25 teams, with the Bulldogs topping the final AP Poll at No. 1 and the Razorbacks checking in at No. 17. The winner will advance to the Elite Eight.
Here are some comments from coaches and players on both teams ahead of the highly anticipated matchup...
General Thoughts
“Gonzaga just presents a lot of problems, and that's why they're being talked about as far as being a team that's going to advance beyond this. There's been not much talk about Arkansas, which they deserve it. They're the No. 1 ranked team in this tournament, and so we have to play our "A" game to beat a team that is seeded No. 1 in the entire field.” — Eric Musselman, on Gonzaga
“Look, we’re playing a team that a lot of people think are going to win the national championship. Not many people — I shouldn’t say not many — nobody is talking about Arkansas even having a chance in this game. I’ve got two good eyes and my Internet works really good, I have great connection, and I haven’t found anybody that’s even giving us a chance to even be in the same arena with Gonzaga. It’s a great challenge for sure against a team that, like I said, is the No. 1 seed overall for a reason because they deserved it based on their playing.” — Eric Musselman, on Gonzaga
“When we do a film session, there's stuff spliced in on what people have said, 1,000%. I don't mind conveying that. We understand the respect factor for us in this particular game is kind of nonexistent from a national perspective. Yeah, our guys are going to see it, hear it, all the way up until tip-off. Again, the respect that we have for Gonzaga is through the roof, but we have a 40-minute game that we've got to try to figure out how we can play with them and give ourselves an opportunity.” — Eric Musselman, on the underdog factor for Arkansas
"I got to watch them a little this year and they are obviously really talented on the inside. They've got two big men who can really score and they rebound and they guard well. We're just going to have to focus on controlling the pace and doing our best to contain them on the inside." — Stanley Umude
"We just have to lock in on their personnel because they do have a lot of weapons out there, but a lot of their guys do things specific to them. I think if we can lock in on trying to take away each individual player's strengths and try to do our best to contain them, we will be in good shape." — Stanley Umude
“Gosh, they're great in the open floor, pushing it and making plays. I want to say at the definitely in the upper percentile, maybe even the best in the country at drawing fouls and getting themselves to the free-throw line. They do a great job of putting the ball on the floor and coming at you. We're going to have to sprint back and build a wall and hopefully show that we have our hands back, but also rim-protect and rotate out of those things. Then on the flip side at the other end, they're really, really good at pressuring the ball and getting up into you, so we'll have to deal with that also.” — Mark Few, on Arkansas
“They are a really good freaking team. They're in the Sweet 16, and just to win a game in the NCAA Tournament is just hard enough as is. But, yeah, they pose a huge challenge. They're a really good defensive team in the gaps. They're good offensively as well and have a nice combination of athleticism, length, and then they have a stretch five who is good as well. It's going to be a big challenge, and they're a really good team, and I don't think they're being disrespected. I think they're a really good team. At least in our eyes.” — Drew Timme, on Arkansas
“They can put five great players on the court with a few different line-ups. They can go big. They can go small, and like Drew said, they're going to have a good game plan for us, and we have to be ready.” — Chet Holmgren, on Arkansas
“I think their team likes to push the pace, just like us. I think it will be a good game for us to get up and down the floor. They have a lot of athletes, play a high-level defense, so we have to be solid on both sides of the floor. I think this game is more about what we do.” — Andrew Nembhard
On Gonzaga’s Pace
Gonzaga is No. 6 nationally in KenPom's adjusted tempo ratings.
“It can't be pretty good. It better be great or we have no chance. The pace that they play at is incredible. Their wings run hard. They have a rim-runner. They have a great trail guy, so all those factors become important. You have to guard the three-point line on the catch, maybe before the catch because of the pitch ahead, because of the deep outlets. You have to be physical on the rim-runs. You have to be physical on the trail man. So there's a lot of important factors. Communication becomes really important for any team that runs, and any team that plays with great pace. Point and picking and finding your man because it becomes of the utmost importance. There's always going to be cross-matches whenever you play a team that runs like they do, which puts a further importance on the defensive communication.” — Eric Musselman, on Gonzaga
“We have to get back in transition. They're one of the fastest teams in the country. Well, the fastest team in the country. They score most of their points in the transition, so if we don't get back, then we really don't have a chance. I feel like we have to get back in transition.” — JD Notae
On Andrew Nembhard
Gonzaga's starting point guard is averaging 12.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals, while shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc this season.
“Obviously, their point guard Nembhard, he is such a special player. He has great size. We played against him at Nevada when he was at Florida. We actually recruited him hard when he transferred. He has great court vision. He does a great job of catching deep, long outlet passes. He is incredible (with) pitch-ahead passes to shooters like Bolton on the wing.” — Eric Musselman
“Andrew has just had a phenomenal year. You go all the way back to remember the UCLA game in Vegas. Just what he was able to do. He is just -- it's just a very, very comforting feeling to have Andrew Nembhard as your point guard. In-game, out of game, night before games, things like that. You know by and large he is going to make the right basketball play. The other thing that I think is lost with him, he is arguably our best perimeter defender with his size and his strength and his experience.” — Mark Few
On Gonzaga's Big Men
Drew Timme is a two-time second-team All-American who was named the WCC Player of the Year after averaging 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists this season.
Chet Holmgren is a 7-foot freshman who came to Gonzaga as the No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2021. He's averaging 14.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks this season.
“They have a potential number one lottery pick in Holmgren, and Timme has been as good as any interior player in the entire country. Those two run a great high-low game together.” — Eric Musselman
“They have two good guys playing at their big spots, and it's a challenge, of course, but I'm ready for it. It's great to be able to play on this stage against those great guys, and it's a challenge I've been looking forward to, and I'm ready for it.” — Jaylin Williams
“They are completely different, whole different skill sets. … Chet, he can stretch the floor for his size. He puts the ball on the ground really good. Timme, he’s a hard player. He’s really good in the post. He gets to his spots. He knows how to score and they are really the heart of that team. They play hard and get a lot done for their team.” — Jaylin Williams, on how Timme and Holmgren compare to other big men he’s faced this year
“Chet can really space the floor and stretch you on the offensive end. Obviously, Drew is so adept driving and moving and doing what Drew does, mostly around the paint. I would say this, it's a nice luxury, though, to have. We're comfortable enough, as we've always been, going all the way back to Kelly Olynyk and Rui and Brandon Clark and players like that, to be able to take those guys, take it off the glass and lead a fastbreak. Both Drew and Chet are very good at that and kind of help us in the course of a game get a different look.” — Mark Few
“There's been some really, really great development with Chet over the course of this year. I think there's a lot of things you can do at the high school level and even in the summers in the AAU that you just you're not able to get away with at this level because of the talent, the size, and probably in Chet's -- what he has been facing, the physicality and the strength of the guys he is going against as well as the schemes of people in the lane. A lot of times when you put the ball on the deck, there's not as much space. But he has done a wonderful, wonderful job of adjusting to that.” - Mark Few, on Holmgren
What They're Saying: Coaches, players discuss Arkansas-Gonzaga matchup
Check out what Arkansas and Gonzaga's coaches and players are saying ahead of tonight's Sweet 16 matchup.
arkansas.rivals.com
Arkansas and Gonzaga meet in the first Sweet 16 game Thursday evening.
It's a matchup of two top-25 teams, with the Bulldogs topping the final AP Poll at No. 1 and the Razorbacks checking in at No. 17. The winner will advance to the Elite Eight.
Here are some comments from coaches and players on both teams ahead of the highly anticipated matchup...
General Thoughts
“Gonzaga just presents a lot of problems, and that's why they're being talked about as far as being a team that's going to advance beyond this. There's been not much talk about Arkansas, which they deserve it. They're the No. 1 ranked team in this tournament, and so we have to play our "A" game to beat a team that is seeded No. 1 in the entire field.” — Eric Musselman, on Gonzaga
“Look, we’re playing a team that a lot of people think are going to win the national championship. Not many people — I shouldn’t say not many — nobody is talking about Arkansas even having a chance in this game. I’ve got two good eyes and my Internet works really good, I have great connection, and I haven’t found anybody that’s even giving us a chance to even be in the same arena with Gonzaga. It’s a great challenge for sure against a team that, like I said, is the No. 1 seed overall for a reason because they deserved it based on their playing.” — Eric Musselman, on Gonzaga
“When we do a film session, there's stuff spliced in on what people have said, 1,000%. I don't mind conveying that. We understand the respect factor for us in this particular game is kind of nonexistent from a national perspective. Yeah, our guys are going to see it, hear it, all the way up until tip-off. Again, the respect that we have for Gonzaga is through the roof, but we have a 40-minute game that we've got to try to figure out how we can play with them and give ourselves an opportunity.” — Eric Musselman, on the underdog factor for Arkansas
"I got to watch them a little this year and they are obviously really talented on the inside. They've got two big men who can really score and they rebound and they guard well. We're just going to have to focus on controlling the pace and doing our best to contain them on the inside." — Stanley Umude
"We just have to lock in on their personnel because they do have a lot of weapons out there, but a lot of their guys do things specific to them. I think if we can lock in on trying to take away each individual player's strengths and try to do our best to contain them, we will be in good shape." — Stanley Umude
“Gosh, they're great in the open floor, pushing it and making plays. I want to say at the definitely in the upper percentile, maybe even the best in the country at drawing fouls and getting themselves to the free-throw line. They do a great job of putting the ball on the floor and coming at you. We're going to have to sprint back and build a wall and hopefully show that we have our hands back, but also rim-protect and rotate out of those things. Then on the flip side at the other end, they're really, really good at pressuring the ball and getting up into you, so we'll have to deal with that also.” — Mark Few, on Arkansas
“They are a really good freaking team. They're in the Sweet 16, and just to win a game in the NCAA Tournament is just hard enough as is. But, yeah, they pose a huge challenge. They're a really good defensive team in the gaps. They're good offensively as well and have a nice combination of athleticism, length, and then they have a stretch five who is good as well. It's going to be a big challenge, and they're a really good team, and I don't think they're being disrespected. I think they're a really good team. At least in our eyes.” — Drew Timme, on Arkansas
“They can put five great players on the court with a few different line-ups. They can go big. They can go small, and like Drew said, they're going to have a good game plan for us, and we have to be ready.” — Chet Holmgren, on Arkansas
“I think their team likes to push the pace, just like us. I think it will be a good game for us to get up and down the floor. They have a lot of athletes, play a high-level defense, so we have to be solid on both sides of the floor. I think this game is more about what we do.” — Andrew Nembhard
On Gonzaga’s Pace
Gonzaga is No. 6 nationally in KenPom's adjusted tempo ratings.
“It can't be pretty good. It better be great or we have no chance. The pace that they play at is incredible. Their wings run hard. They have a rim-runner. They have a great trail guy, so all those factors become important. You have to guard the three-point line on the catch, maybe before the catch because of the pitch ahead, because of the deep outlets. You have to be physical on the rim-runs. You have to be physical on the trail man. So there's a lot of important factors. Communication becomes really important for any team that runs, and any team that plays with great pace. Point and picking and finding your man because it becomes of the utmost importance. There's always going to be cross-matches whenever you play a team that runs like they do, which puts a further importance on the defensive communication.” — Eric Musselman, on Gonzaga
“We have to get back in transition. They're one of the fastest teams in the country. Well, the fastest team in the country. They score most of their points in the transition, so if we don't get back, then we really don't have a chance. I feel like we have to get back in transition.” — JD Notae
On Andrew Nembhard
Gonzaga's starting point guard is averaging 12.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals, while shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc this season.
“Obviously, their point guard Nembhard, he is such a special player. He has great size. We played against him at Nevada when he was at Florida. We actually recruited him hard when he transferred. He has great court vision. He does a great job of catching deep, long outlet passes. He is incredible (with) pitch-ahead passes to shooters like Bolton on the wing.” — Eric Musselman
“Andrew has just had a phenomenal year. You go all the way back to remember the UCLA game in Vegas. Just what he was able to do. He is just -- it's just a very, very comforting feeling to have Andrew Nembhard as your point guard. In-game, out of game, night before games, things like that. You know by and large he is going to make the right basketball play. The other thing that I think is lost with him, he is arguably our best perimeter defender with his size and his strength and his experience.” — Mark Few
On Gonzaga's Big Men
Drew Timme is a two-time second-team All-American who was named the WCC Player of the Year after averaging 18.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists this season.
Chet Holmgren is a 7-foot freshman who came to Gonzaga as the No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2021. He's averaging 14.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks this season.
“They have a potential number one lottery pick in Holmgren, and Timme has been as good as any interior player in the entire country. Those two run a great high-low game together.” — Eric Musselman
“They have two good guys playing at their big spots, and it's a challenge, of course, but I'm ready for it. It's great to be able to play on this stage against those great guys, and it's a challenge I've been looking forward to, and I'm ready for it.” — Jaylin Williams
“They are completely different, whole different skill sets. … Chet, he can stretch the floor for his size. He puts the ball on the ground really good. Timme, he’s a hard player. He’s really good in the post. He gets to his spots. He knows how to score and they are really the heart of that team. They play hard and get a lot done for their team.” — Jaylin Williams, on how Timme and Holmgren compare to other big men he’s faced this year
“Chet can really space the floor and stretch you on the offensive end. Obviously, Drew is so adept driving and moving and doing what Drew does, mostly around the paint. I would say this, it's a nice luxury, though, to have. We're comfortable enough, as we've always been, going all the way back to Kelly Olynyk and Rui and Brandon Clark and players like that, to be able to take those guys, take it off the glass and lead a fastbreak. Both Drew and Chet are very good at that and kind of help us in the course of a game get a different look.” — Mark Few
“There's been some really, really great development with Chet over the course of this year. I think there's a lot of things you can do at the high school level and even in the summers in the AAU that you just you're not able to get away with at this level because of the talent, the size, and probably in Chet's -- what he has been facing, the physicality and the strength of the guys he is going against as well as the schemes of people in the lane. A lot of times when you put the ball on the deck, there's not as much space. But he has done a wonderful, wonderful job of adjusting to that.” - Mark Few, on Holmgren
