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 properly for the Bulldogs that their French forward has by no means misplaced to Davide Moretti, the Red Raiders’ Italian-born factor defend, in a worldwide sport. A member of France’s children’s national groups, Tillie estimates he’s faced Moretti’s Italian groups in at least three instances – at the U-sixteen, U-18, and U-19 ranges. Tillie’s desire is 3-0 at this point.
“I realize him a bit; I played in opposition to him lots when I become younger,” Tillie said. “It’s going to be fun to see him again, and I continually beat him, so I look forward to seeing him and looking to beat him again.”
The locals of Bologna, Italy, scored 15 points and dished out four assists in Tech’s 63-forty-four wins over Michigan within the Sweet Sixteen. Moretti averages eleven.6 points, 2.Five assists and a pair of.One rebound for the Red Raiders – and he’s an ace from past the arc, making forty-five percent of his three-hints.
“He’s an outstanding player,” Tillie stated. “I suppose he’s a simply clever player. He is aware of the game and a surely exact shooter, a without a doubt right passer, and a terrific factor guard average. So it’s going to be vital to play him straight up.
Saturday’s matchup has lots of international taste beyond Tillie and Moretti. Gonzaga starts offevolved Rui Hachimura – a Toyoma, Japan, local – and occasionally bri,nbringsrbian forward Filip Petrusev and French shield Joel Ayayi off the bench. Guard Brandon Francois, a Dominican Republic native and ahead of Josh Mballa, a French native who became was Bordeaux – equal as Ayayto– come ofcamee bench for the Red Raiders.
