The View Without Daye

by Zach Bell on Jun 15, 2009 4:41 PM PDT

The youth movement is on. Here is how the scholarships break down for the next four years. Green=seniors, Yellow=Juniors, Blue= Sophomores, Red= Freshmen. Obviously this is subject to rapid change but here are some things of note:

For next year, 2009-10, it's painfully obvious that only three players have recent, in-game experience (Bouldin, Gray, Goodson). Rob Sacre is next in line but hasn't really played continuous minutes since coming to Gonzaga. I know he started his freshman year but only averaged nine minutes a game before struggling with injuries. Still not sure what to expect from Will Foster. A few weeks ago their was speculation that he might not even finish his four years at Gonzaga. He'll have to play with all the youth. Everyone else will be new to division one basketball.
I put Bol Kong in their even though it is still pretty uncertain but at this point, he has a scholarship pending Visa issues.
Don't look for all those guys in red to only play until 2012-13. Popular thought is that Kelly Olynyk could be a redshirt possibility so he can put on weight. We'll wait and see with GJ Vilarino but I expect him to come in and back up Meech right away because Bouldin is going to have to score a lot now that Daye is gone and can not run point much.

This chart was a lot cooler with Austin Daye's name on it but the beat must go on. The youth will be fun and it looks like Mark Few knew what he was doing by recruiting the hell out of the 2009 class. Go out and get guys like Kyle Wiltjer and Gary Bell Jr. and good things can happen with the core he has amassed.

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Doesn’t look like Few expects Kelly to redshirt.
From an Andy Katz article on ESPN.com:

“Few said he expects a collection of players, including small forward Kelly Olynyk out of Canada to spell some of Daye’s minutes and frontcourt scoring.”

by zagballer6 on Jun 15, 2009 5:52 PM PDT reply actions

Not shocked

With your starting1-3-4-5 positions gone to the draft, nothing will surprise me this year. You talk about a scramble, wow! Just the intro to the Sets and Schemes run in the offense will be a chore for these new kids, let alone the lone starter, Matt, being the anchor. I’m still shocked at how many people think this will be a better team?

by mikesequim on Jun 15, 2009 8:24 PM PDT reply actions

More food for thought

This new team of 7 Freshmen and 2 Sophs who literally played zero minutes except for Rob will have to make the following: 47.4ppg; 22.8rpg; 6blk.pg. Considering Matt, Meech and Steven aren’t counted in those #’s, how do you divide that out? Is Coach Few going to play 8 like normal? That would mean 5 newcomers averaging about 9.3ppg, 4.5rpg and 1 block each per game. Pretty easy huh?

Micahs trying out for the NBA after his SENIOR year and those are about his #‘s for this past year. Do you really think these guys are as good as Micah? That’s just one example. It’s not impossible but Geesh, Coaches go to the nutty farm trying to replace the kind of talent that just left GU with Freshmen coming in. You will know what kind of coaching staff this truely is after this next year.

by mikesequim on Jun 15, 2009 8:55 PM PDT reply actions

Some dessert for thought...

Mikesequim, I always love reading your analysis on the team…

Here is my big picture analysis of next year’s team….
It will not be a better team without Austin; however, it might be more OF a team. There is no doubt that the Zags will struggle in the early phases of the season. The Maui Invitational, the Duke showdown, and the possible Michigan State matchup will all be tough tests for this inexperienced squad. My hope is that after taking some hits early on in the season, this becomes more of a team when Sacre, Goodsen, and crew get more experience. Wins will come from team efforts, not Austin dropping 30 a game. Remember that the WCC is projected to be weak this year so if the Zags can pull together by the time the regular conference season rolls around they should continue the streak…

by DKZagBlazer on Jun 16, 2009 9:04 AM PDT reply actions

Your right!

This will be more of a Team, especially without a proven go to in the post area. What makes GU good is the amount of time together as teammates on the floor over 4 years. 8 players with zero experience and 1 with 1 Freshman season of limited minutes is a real tough task to overcome with wins at D-1 competition. JMO. Wouldn’t it be fun to end up with a “Fab 7”? Oh well, go Zags.

by mikesequim on Jun 16, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions

The X's and O's

From the games that I watched, it seemed as if last year the coaching staff implemented a high post scheme with a lot of dribble drive handoffs creating confusion at the top. I could see them doing this again, but I think a different scheme would compliment this personnel better. I would like to see a lot of the offense come from the break especially with super quick Meech or GJ running the show. You could have Bouldin, Gray, Gibbs?, fill the lanes and stop and pop for the 3. Almost like a retro Duke offense.

Defensively, we might be in for a rude awakening. Rebounding to me is going to be the biggest issue. Matt can rebound but they had three stud rebounders last year in Josh, Micah, and Jeremy (for a guard). If I was Few I would implement a 1-2-2 trap zone or a different type of defense that utilized our quickness. Basically, the coaching staff has a lot to scheme up this summer.

by DKZagBlazer on Jun 16, 2009 12:20 PM PDT reply actions