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Gonzaga Bulldogs at Utah Running Utes: Open Game Thread

Kc_tiny by BuffZag on in Game Threads Comment 295 comments

Gonzaga Bulldogs @ Utah Utes


Chat with us in the comments below!

A_medium

December 31 , 2008
  5:00 PST
TV: CBS-CS
Internet TV: CBSSports
Radio: 1510 KGA
Live Stats: GameTracker

Utah_medium
8-3
No. 16 (AP)
No. 17 (USA Today)
  
7-5
NR (AP)
NR (USA Today)

Probable Starting Lineups:

Gonzaga Bulldogs
 Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. PPG RPG APG
Jeremy Pargo 6-2 220 G Sr. 9.7 3.8 7.2
Matt Bouldin 6-5 224 G Jr. 11.5 4.0 2.6
Micah Downs 6-8 194 G Sr. 9.8 5.3 1.2
Austin Daye 6-11 200 F So. 12.9 6.1 0.8
Josh Heytvelt 6-11 250 C Sr. 15.4 6.1 0.5
Utah Running Utes Ht. Wt. Pos. Yr. PPG RPG APG
Luka Drca 6-5 205 G Sr. 7.1 2.1 3.7
Lawrence Borha 6-3 205 G Sr. 10.8 3.1 1.8
Carlon Brown 6-5 205 G So. 9.9 5.2 2.9
Kim Tillie 6-10 215 F Jr. 3.6 4.8 0.6
Luke Nevill 7-2 265 C Sr. 16.9 8.3 1.5

Keys to the game...

Play with a Killer Instinct:  We saw the killer instinct in the Old Spice Classic and for about 30 minutes in the UConn game.  Gonzaga was sleepwalking through the Portland State game and the Vikings knocked them on their butt.  Three losses later, the Zags are at a huge point of their season.  Win and it is possible that they could run the table for the rest of the year.  The most losses I can see if the Zags win tonight is two which would mean a five loss season.  Lose tonight, Gonzaga could lose as many as four or five games.  The conference is bad, but Portland State wasn't that good either so you never know who could sneak up and bite Gonzaga if they continue to simply show up for games.

Outrebound the Utes:  This should be the number one key to the game.  Gonzaga has proven to be the smallest big team in the nation (still love that saying).  They have been outrebounded by 19 in the past two games.  They were absolutely embarassed against the Vikings of Portland State who's leading rebounder throughout the season is 6'7''!!!!  This is completely unacceptable.  Nevill is 7'2'' and will get his share of rebounds but aside from that, they don't have a whole lot.  Utah has a better rebounding margain this season than Gonzaga but haven't really faced a team with the length of Gonzaga. 

Score points in the lane:  God bless the Zags but somone has to tell them that they aren't a very good three point shooting team.  As I mentioned in the preview, only two Zags are shooting a higher percentage from outside and that is Matt Bouldin and Josh Heytvelt.  Micah Downs is shooting the same percentage and everyone else is shooting worse.  We've seen Matt Bouldin and Austin Daye's mid-range game.  They can be excellent.  Micah Downs has the build to be a slasher and Steven Gray showed in the UConn game that he can get the rim very effectively.  Hopefully Mark Few is stressing the hell out of these things.  The three point shot is something that Gonzaga has excelled at in years past, but this team has different abilities. 

GO ZAGS! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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I hope

I see it a little closer than that.

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 4:36 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Utah should not be able to run with the Zags. They don’t have the athletes and GU should be out for blood.

by Bomberooski on Dec 31, 2008 4:37 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

We need to find that killer instinct again

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 4:38 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

confident. I hope that is the case.

we need a confidence booster

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 4:37 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Any pregame thoughts on player of the game?

I’m going with Matty B. He killed the Utes last year.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 4:43 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

that'd be superb.

i’m worried about Nevill. Dude is 7’2’’

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 4:44 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah he's tall

i hope it doesnt resort to will on him

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 4:46 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

probably going to have to.

no sacre, hopefully josh doesn’t get foul happy

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 4:47 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

negative ghostrider

i get every other game though…go figure

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 4:48 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

bummer. are you in san antonio?

i have trouble keeping track of you

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 4:48 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yeah

we got back on the 29th. i will be in every time zone over break.

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 4:49 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wheres everydayezag?

soakin’ in that sun while he can?

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 4:48 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

being lazy.

typical.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 4:50 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

almost game time

i can’t believe I’m nervous for Utah

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 4:55 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i know

espn2 is having a college bball marathon. wish they could have snuck us in.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:00 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i thought we might get some utah fans over here

since they have a blog on SB Nation but i’m sure they are all wrapped up in football

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:00 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

unbelievable

we are not moving in defese

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 5:09 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

very nice

everydayezag is apparently having internet problems…too many bad sites

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:13 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

points!

this idiot just called him Baron Daye

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:13 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

holy shit

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:14 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

jeremy can do that all day

so can steven. looks like austin wants to take ove.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:17 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

we're screwed without rob

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:20 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

move your feet

we look like nuns out there

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 5:21 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

time for zone defense

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:22 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

everyone's looking around

i wish our seniors would try leading someone for a change

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:24 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

we're ice cold

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:26 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nevill is a damn giant

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:27 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

shit free throws

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:28 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

great shot austin.

stupid foul meeeeeech

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:30 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

leave foster in!

did i just say that?

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:30 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i know this.

i’m gonna punch josh in the melon

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:37 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

yaehh austin

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:38 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

big new years plans guys?

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:39 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no joke

i need star bar

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:40 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

austin's wonderful

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:40 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

these damn non-mormans

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:43 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

kim tillie is my least favorite player ever

he’s hideous and bad

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:45 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

didn't that shot hit the shot clock

we’re getting homered!

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:47 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

who would have thought the zag offense would be the problem this year

The Ralphie Report - Go Buffs!...All Colorado Buffaloes on SBNation - http://www.ralphiereport.com/

by irish1611 on Dec 31, 2008 5:48 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

we need to lock the fuck down

and stop playing like we have pussies in our pants

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 5:49 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

pargo for three?

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:49 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

dont fucking wait till theres 7 seconds left

shoot the fucking ball…they clock will keep running after you make the shiot

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 5:50 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

how about those zags.

i barely remember when they were #4 and really good.

by zagagolf on Dec 31, 2008 5:53 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

distant memory

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:54 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

update me

Sorry Zach I was at work, give me your take on whats going on

by DKZagBlazer on Dec 31, 2008 5:56 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

really ugly start

i think it was like 14-2 start for Utah. Josh’s two baskets are two dunks, he hasn’t really done a thing down low. Will foster has played a lot. Austin looks good. Matt got two fouls early and of course disappeared. Steven and Meech look pretty good. We just have absolutely zero energy. It is really stunning. But the good thing is that we are only down four. We switched to zone which slowed their scoring down but now we can’t rebound worth shit.

All in all, it was basically the last thing I wanted to see.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 5:59 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no joke

stick around for the second half…do you get it?

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:03 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no clue

probably because austin and downs can shoot which is something we neeed.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:04 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

prove it

The Ralphie Report - Go Buffs!...All Colorado Buffaloes on SBNation - http://www.ralphiereport.com/

by irish1611 on Dec 31, 2008 6:06 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

portland is not getting it right now….we are too excited about the blazers win i guess that they are just gonna show that on repeat on all sports channels

by DKZagBlazer on Dec 31, 2008 6:05 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

it's on that cbssports college channel.

probably the worst broadcast i’ve seen

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:06 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Are the broadcasters worse then Ehlo? cause I don’t know if that’s possible

by DKZagBlazer on Dec 31, 2008 6:08 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

worse. maybe

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:09 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

wow

Remember that whole leadership/intensity discussion that we had going on for awhile? Love em or hate em we could use an Adam type performance right now!

by DKZagBlazer on Dec 31, 2008 6:11 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no doubt.

i don’t get why we are out of the zone though. they aren’t going to stay hot.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:12 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i hate this announcer

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:13 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

free throws. shit

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:13 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

when will few pull josh?

The Ralphie Report - Go Buffs!...All Colorado Buffaloes on SBNation - http://www.ralphiereport.com/

by irish1611 on Dec 31, 2008 6:14 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he loves his seniors.

did you get my text? poor eric

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:15 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i hate sports

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:19 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

iras hands

are the worst thing in the world

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 6:19 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

looks like it

we are shooting 36.1. fucking fuck. i hate my life.

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 6:22 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

can we…yes…and it looks like we will……If i was Few I would tell Gray to take over

by DKZagBlazer on Dec 31, 2008 6:22 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he doesn't want to

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:23 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

ZONE! WE NEED ZONE

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:23 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

beautiful meech

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:24 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

depth is good but not tonight

this team needs a season long go to guy. i dont care who it is. we just need one.

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 6:26 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

did zagagolfer pass out?

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:26 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i believe so..

hopefully he wakes up before friday morning

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 6:27 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

these announcers love matt.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:29 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

oy meeechy

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:29 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i HATE kim tillie

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:30 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

fuck fuck fuck.

luke nevill isn’t even in. utah lost to SOUTHWEST BAPTIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:34 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

win or lose

we dont deseve to be in the top 25

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 6:35 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

maybe few has a brilliant plan so if we play shitty nobody sees it

because no one has these retarded channels

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:37 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hey guys! did you see its tiger week on the golf channel!

by khuus on Dec 31, 2008 6:38 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i swear he has won every tournament during tiger week its amazing i am really convinced he will never lose again

by khuus on Dec 31, 2008 6:40 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

guess what i bought today mike...

a half gallon of BV

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:39 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

do you think a Tlo motivational speech would help?

by khuus on Dec 31, 2008 6:40 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i just watched the 2002 bethpage where sergio was like “if tiger was out on the course im not so sure that they wouldnt have had a rain delay” what a punk!! you know who is better though oliver grabb, gonzaga freshman

by khuus on Dec 31, 2008 6:42 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no idea

we should keep talking about golf though…seems to be working

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 6:43 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

cmon

will the real zags please come forward!?

by Olddude on Dec 31, 2008 6:42 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

hopefully now!

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:43 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

pargo makes a play

now please don’t pass it too your make believe friend

by Olddude on Dec 31, 2008 6:43 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

great D!

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:44 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

jesus matt

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:44 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

again run the offense

3’s arent falling…run the fucking offense

by James Buchanan on Dec 31, 2008 6:45 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

MATT

no threes

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:46 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

and i quote

“We have a possibility of going undefeated,” guard Matt Bouldin said this week. “That’s something all of us are thinking about.”

by Olddude on Dec 31, 2008 6:49 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

please no one pass to matt

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:46 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

shit luke nevill

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:47 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

he's #1 in handsomeness

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:48 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

great job gray

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:52 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

gray

should not be leaving the game…i swear few is getting ridiculous with these substitutions

by Olddude on Dec 31, 2008 6:53 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no joke

how do you leave matt in and take steven out

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:53 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

gray's

the closest thing we have to clutch on this team…

by Olddude on Dec 31, 2008 6:55 PM PST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

nevill is smooth

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:56 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

unreal....

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:57 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

sick

is what i’m about to be with this team

by Olddude on Dec 31, 2008 6:58 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

GREAT SUBS MARK FEW!

obviously this is your first year coaching basketball.

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 6:58 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

COME ON!

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 7:01 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

this announcer has no brain

The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by BuffZag on Dec 31, 2008 7:02 PM PST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

please tell me

we’re not going to shoot for the three

by Olddude on Dec 31, 2008 7:02 PM PST