ANAHEIM, Calif. – Killian Tillie will meet an old European nemesis in Gonzaga’s Elite Eight matchup with Texas Tech on Saturday. And perhaps it bodes well for the Bulldogs that their French forward has by no means misplaced to Davide Moretti, the Red Raiders’ Italian-born point defend, in a global sport.
A member of France’s teen countrywide teams, Tillie estimates he’s confronted Moretti’s Italian groups at least three times—at the U-16, U-18, and U-19 ranges.
It’s 3-zero in Tillie’s desire at this factor. “I recognize him a bit; I performed against him plenty after I became younger,” Tillie stated. “It’s going to be fun to see him again, and I usually beat him, so I look ahead to seeing him and seeking to beat him again.”
Moretti averages eleven. Six factors, 2.Five assists and a couple of.One rebound for the Red Raiders – and he’s an ace from beyond the arc, making 45 percent of his 3-suggestions. The Bologna, Italy locals scored 15 points and dished out four assists in Tech’s 63-forty-four wins over Michigan inside the Sweet Sixteen.
“He’s a tremendous participant,” Tillie said. “I suppose he’s a brilliant participant, and he is aware of the game and an, in reality, true shooter, a simply proper passer and an amazing point shield basic. So it’s going to be vital to play him directly up.
Saturday’s matchup has plenty of international taste to it, past Tillie and Moretti. Gonzaga begins Rui Hachimura – a Toyoma, Japan, local – and now and again brings Serbian ahead Filip Petrusev and French shield Joel Ayayi off the bench. Guard Brandon Francois, the Dominican Republic local, and ahead of Josh Mballa, a French native born in Bordeaux – identical to today – came to the bench for the Red Raiders.
