Pick ONE statisic that will decide Friday's game

[zagfan24]

A lot of options...difficulty is you must choose only one team's statistic (i.e., can't say "total points").

I'm going to go with Oklahoma St. offensive rebounds. The Cowboys are not a great rebounding team, but they are a good 3 pt shooting team. The Zags may play some zone, and if they do, they absolutely cannot allow extra shots. BYU had 15 offensive boards in the WCC championship game, and yes this was a result of a lot of missed shots, but it would absolutely doom the Zags. I'll say that the Cowboys cannot have 8 or more offensive boards for the Zags to come out victorious.

In close second I would say Gonzaga turnovers, which I think needs to be kept at 10 or fewer to win.

[gonzagafan62]

Ill give you three stats that will be absolutely critical: GU Rebounding, GU Turnovers, and GU Points in the paint. Gotta win 2 of those three.

[wnczagfan]

Rebounding. When the Zags are fighting for the boards are the games where they are aggressive in all aspects,which I think we will need to win this game.

[Chicken Ball]

GU: Fouls committed by Dower and Karnowski.
Ok St: fast break points.

[ZagMan in Philly]

3 point FG percentage and made 3pt shots....whoever has these will move on.

[jpwils]

Offensive rebounds and Avoid foul trouble.

3 point FG percentage and made 3pt shots....whoever has these will move on.

Can't rely on 3 pt shot to win exclusively.

Karnowski and Dower et al need to be second shot procurers of the ball.

Not enough to be big- can we set picks, fight for position AND STAY OUT of FOUL TROUBLE.

Get the ball inside and let our bigs GET THEM in foul trouble.

How can we spring Pangos for a few early open looks??

Nunez will need some extra minutes to help us rebound on the offensive glass.

[Reborn]

The records of the two coaches. I believe that coaching is so important. I believe it is important for Mark Few to feel good about his ability to out-coach the coach he's up against. Few is 3-0 against Travis Ford in head to head meetings. Mark Few also has a pretty good NCAA record, 15-14 and Ford is 1-4. Few has been in the NCAA tournament 14 straight years and Ford only 4. Few has much more experience in the NCAA.

[zagfan24]

3 point FG percentage and made 3pt shots....whoever has these will move on.

I agree with you here -- Zags should have advantage inside but a bit worried they'll trade 2's for 3's...

[RenoZag]

Turnovers.

[ZagMan in Philly]

Can't rely on 3 pt shot to win exclusively.

Karnowski and Dower et al need to be second shot procurers of the ball.

Not enough to be big- can we set picks, fight for position AND STAY OUT of FOUL TROUBLE.

Get the ball inside and let our bigs GET THEM in foul trouble.

How can we spring Pangos for a few early open looks??

Nunez will need some extra minutes to help us rebound on the offensive glass.

It will open up the middle, once they have to guard the three line.

[Hoopaholic]

fast break points off turnovers

[VinnyZag]

Oklahoma State is actually one of the worst rebounding teams in the country, measured by rebounding percentage. 287th in offensive rebound percentage, 214th in defensive rebound percentage (according to KenPom). So if rebounding is your key stat, the standard should be, by how much does Gonzaga dominate the rebounding.

I'd go with personal fouls by Dower and Karnowski. Gonzaga turnovers also makes sense.

[Reborn]

I agree with you here -- Zags should have advantage inside but a bit worried they'll trade 2's for 3's...

It's a myth that Oklahoma St is a better 3 pt shooting team than Gonzaga. Gonzaga is ranked 16th nationally in 3 pt % and Oklahoma St is ranked 77th. Gu shot 609 threes this year and made 240 for .394 percent (almost 40% which is great). Oklahoma St shot 641 and made 236 for .368 percent of their shots. I'd say that that's as about even as you can get. Zags made 4 more 3 pt shots this year then Oklahoma St did. So I don't see the big advantage to Oklahoma St. Sorry, doubters.

Go Zags!!!

[cggonzaga]

Shooting percentage. Okie St doesn't shoot it well from the perimeter. We'll be playing zone. Just be sure to rebound and i think we'll be OK.

[Martin Centre Mad Man]

Turnovers.

Yup. Oklahoma State will run us out of the gym, if we don't protect the ball.