Dan Dickau and Adam Morrison Analyze Gonzaga’s Game Against Georgia in the First Round

In the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Gonzaga University, led by head coach Mark Few, faced off against the University of Georgia in what would be an intense and high-energy matchup. As two former Gonzaga stars, Dan Dickau and Adam Morrison, took to the commentary booth, their unique insights and perspectives shed light on how the Bulldogs would look to advance through the tournament. Dickau, a former standout point guard at Gonzaga, and Morrison, a scoring machine and former NCAA Player of the Year, both had a personal connection to the program and were eager to analyze the game. Their expert commentary delved into key matchups, individual performances, and coaching strategies that shaped the game.

Pre-Game Expectations

Before the game began, both Dickau and Morrison offered their initial thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of each team. Gonzaga, coming into the game with a high seed, was a perennial contender in the tournament. Dickau emphasized the importance of their up-tempo offense, which is centered around efficient ball movement, and their ability to stretch the floor with a variety of scoring options. Morrison highlighted the fact that Gonzaga was well-coached, with a deep roster, but also noted that they were often susceptible to teams that could slow the game down and dictate pace.

On the other side, Georgia had a solid roster and an experienced coaching staff but lacked the same level of depth and talent as Gonzaga. Morrison pointed out that Georgia had the physicality to make the game competitive, but they would need to execute at a high level defensively to stay in the game. He mentioned that Georgia’s defense would be tested by Gonzaga’s offensive firepower, which had been a hallmark of the team’s success throughout the season.

First Half: Gonzaga’s Fast-Paced Offense vs. Georgia’s Defense

As the game began, it was clear that Gonzaga’s offense would be the driving force behind their early success. Dickau, drawing from his experience as a point guard, highlighted how the Bulldogs were executing their offense with precision. They moved the ball quickly, making it difficult for Georgia to set up their defense. With Drew Timme in the paint, and Julian Strawther on the perimeter, Gonzaga had a balanced offensive attack that was hard to stop.

“Timme is so hard to stop down low. You can throw multiple defenders at him, but he’s always going to find a way to make plays,” Dickau noted. The senior big man, who had been an anchor for Gonzaga throughout the season, dominated early with his low-post moves and ability to read the defense. Morrison added that Gonzaga’s outside shooting, led by Strawther, was opening up lanes for Timme to operate, making it difficult for Georgia to keep up.

Despite Gonzaga’s offensive dominance, Georgia’s defense was able to hold their ground for stretches of the first half. Adam Morrison pointed out that Georgia’s defensive strategy was to force Gonzaga to take contested shots and limit transition opportunities. “Georgia has to make sure that Gonzaga doesn’t get out in transition. If Gonzaga can run, they’re going to run away with this game. But Georgia’s defense is disciplined,” Morrison observed. The Bulldogs from Georgia executed a solid half-court defense, particularly with their rim protection and perimeter defense.

However, despite their best efforts, Georgia struggled to keep up with Gonzaga’s offensive efficiency. Timme’s presence in the paint was particularly felt, and he had a field day in the first half, scoring efficiently and drawing fouls. Georgia’s inability to match up with Timme was a theme throughout the game, and Dickau noted, “Timme’s leadership down low is what keeps Gonzaga clicking on all cylinders.”

By the end of the first half, Gonzaga held a comfortable lead, thanks to their offensive flow and Georgia’s struggles to control the pace. The score stood at 44-32, with Gonzaga in command, but Morrison warned that the game was far from over. “Georgia’s not going to just roll over. They have the ability to fight back, especially if they can slow the game down,” he said.

Second Half: Georgia’s Attempt at a Comeback

As the second half began, Georgia made a more concerted effort to slow the game down. They worked the clock on offense, looking to create high-quality shot opportunities, while tightening up their defense. Dickau noticed that Georgia was trying to force Gonzaga into more half-court sets, which played into their strengths. “The longer you can stretch the game out, the more pressure you put on a high-scoring team like Gonzaga. They can get a little too comfortable if they don’t get easy baskets in transition,” Dickau remarked.

Georgia’s offense began to find its rhythm in the second half, particularly through their star guard, who had a strong showing after a quiet first half. The guard was able to break down Gonzaga’s defense with his quickness and playmaking ability. Morrison praised the guard’s ability to create separation and hit tough shots, acknowledging that Georgia’s offense would need to rely on individual brilliance to close the gap. “If Georgia is going to come back, this kid’s going to have to take over,” Morrison said. And indeed, the Georgia guard started to heat up, hitting a series of tough jumpers and driving to the basket, cutting Gonzaga’s lead to just 10 points midway through the second half.

However, Gonzaga’s depth and ability to adapt to Georgia’s defensive adjustments were on full display. Timme continued to dominate inside, while Strawther’s perimeter shooting kept Georgia’s defense honest. Dickau pointed out that Gonzaga’s balance on offense was a major reason they were able to maintain control. “They’re just too tough to stop. They have so many weapons. Timme’s down low, and then you’ve got guys like Strawther who can knock down the three,” Dickau said.

As the game progressed, Gonzaga’s experience in high-pressure situations began to shine through. They withstood Georgia’s best run and responded with timely baskets. Drew Timme, who had been the focal point of the offense, stepped up even more in the second half, making key free throws and continuing to punish Georgia inside. “Timme is one of the best bigs in college basketball. He’s so skilled and has so much poise,” Morrison said. With Timme playing at such a high level, it was clear that Gonzaga had the upper hand in the post.

Key Players and Moments

One of the most pivotal moments in the second half came when Georgia, down by 12 with just under six minutes remaining, managed to force a turnover and score a quick bucket to cut the lead to single digits. The momentum seemed to be shifting, and the Georgia fans in attendance were on their feet. However, Gonzaga responded with a crucial 7-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Julian Strawther and a fast-break layup from Rasir Bolton. Dickau remarked, “That’s what separates Gonzaga from a lot of teams. When things get tight, they have multiple guys who can make plays.”

Timme’s leadership and ability to control the paint were the deciding factors as the game wound down. Even as Georgia continued to fight, Gonzaga’s composure and offensive efficiency ultimately proved too much. The Bulldogs from Spokane pulled away, securing a 78-64 victory and advancing to the next round of the tournament.

Post-Game Analysis

In the post-game analysis, both Dickau and Morrison praised Gonzaga for their balanced approach, but they also acknowledged that there were areas where the team could improve. Dickau emphasized that Gonzaga’s defense, while solid at times, needed to be more consistent, especially against teams that could capitalize on mistakes. Morrison agreed, adding that Gonzaga’s fast-paced style sometimes left them vulnerable to quick counterattacks.

“The key for Gonzaga moving forward is to tighten up their defense, but overall, this was a complete win. They had control for most of the game, and that’s a sign of a team that’s ready to make a deep tournament run,” Dickau concluded.

Morrison echoed those sentiments, noting that Gonzaga’s offensive execution was exceptional, but the true test would come as they faced tougher opponents in the later rounds. “They’re a tough team, but the competition will get stiffer. They’ll need to keep improving if they want to make it to the Final Four,” he said.

Ultimately, the game against Georgia served as a reminder of Gonzaga’s potential, and Dickau and Morrison both agreed that the Bulldogs had the talent and experience to make a serious push for the championship. The game’s outcome was never in doubt, but the adjustments made by both teams provided valuable lessons for Gonzaga as they prepared for their next matchup.