Pivotal Player: Axel Dench
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
So much is made of Gonzaga's perimeter and its high-profile forward
Casey Calvary that Axel Dench becomes the forgotten man in the starting
lineup.
|  | | Dench isn't the first option, but he's vital to Gonzaga's success. |
He shouldn't be. Dench has replaced last year's starter --
then-senior Jeremy Eaton -- and been as productive during the NCAA
Tournament. He has helped take the pressure off Calvary by scoring 17
points, grabbing seven rebounds and committing zero turnovers in the win
over St. John's. He was 7 of 15 from the field, got to the line for three
shots and still managed to hit a 3-pointer.
Dench's plodding style can help clog up the middle for an opposing
defense that has to respect his rebounding. But he can also drag a defender
deep on the perimeter and knock down the open 3-pointer. Calvary will likely
get dragged into a banging war with Purdue's Brian Cardinal but Dench should
be able to handle either 6-6 Mike Robinson or 6-7 Greg McQuay. The 6-11
Dench is a wide-body, who will log nearly 35 minutes a game.
He's not prone to foul problems and usually makes a high percentage
of his shots. He was 5 of 5 in the win over Louisville in round one. If
Dench can get the easy putbacks or get to the line against the Boilermakers,
the Zags should feel more at ease. Dench's ability to score in the post and
draw attention to himself will free up some shots for Richie Frahm and Matt
Santangelo. If he can become a nuisance inside, Gonzaga will make it to the
Elite Eight.
But he's got to be physical and look for the ball more often. The
attention inside will be directed at Calvary at both ends of the court.
Calvary has the rep of being the Bulldogs' scrapper. But he'll have to watch
his temper in this game.
Dench can't be the finesse player in this game with
the Boilermakers looking to draw him into a tussle for boards and loose
balls. Dench needs to shed his Australian friendly smile for a tougher side.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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