What crazy ending will happen this year? Zags travel to Santa Clara
One of the most consistent occurrences of the past there years has been a thrilling Gonzaga vs. Santa Clara match up at some point in the season. Three years ago, it was Santa Clara that became the first road opponent to every win at the MAC. That Broncos team appeared to have the WCC wrapped up, but choked away the regular season championship by getting swept on the final weekend of conference play. Two years ago, it looked like the Broncos were about to pull off a huge upset in front of their home court, until Steven Gray was fouled with less than a second remaining on the clock. Gray hit both free throws, and Austin Daye dominated the overtime period to give the Zags the win.
Last season may have been the craziest of all the meetings, as it was the Ruff Riders who may have cost their team a chance to win. In a hotly contested game, some students decided it would be best to throw things on the court, which of course led to technical free throws for the Zags and led to an emotional Gonzaga victory. Naturally, those students are not highly revered at Santa Clara, although they are legends in Spokane and on this site. So while it would seem that Gonzaga will enter this game and stroll to a victory, it's important to remember the history that this series has, especially when the Zags are on the road.
While I don't think Santa Clara had much of a chance to be a top-half team in this conference before the injury to Kevin Foster, it's not a surprise to see team struggling without its leading scorer. Foster was one of the rare guys on this Broncos roster who could break a guy down off the dribble and get to the rim. He is very comparable to guys like Vernon Teel and Keion Bell, who have given the Zags trouble over the past two games. With Foster out, Marc Trasolini has become the main scoring option for Santa Clara. The highly skilled PF is not the most physical guy, but has a great arsenal of offensive moves. Trasolini is averaging 14.2 points and 6.5 rebounds so far this season. It will be an excellent match up between Trasolini and Elias Harris on both ends of the court.
The one positive of the absence of Foster is the fact that many freshman from their highly touted class are being given the opportunity to play big minutes. Robert Smith has been a pleasant surprise in the back court, averaging 12.0 points and a team-high 3.1 assists. Ray Cowels is an undersized big man who is physically prepared to compete at this level. Cowels is someone that Gonzaga fans might be familiar with, as he played for Net Gain Sports with Sam Dower on the AAU circuit. Cowels has seen his minutes increase over the course of the season and is averaging 8.2 points and 2.6 boards.
In order for Gonzaga to be able to make the deep tourney run that many of us think is possible, Rob Sacre must regain the form and confidence that we saw at the beginning of the season. I think it's pretty clear the trio of Matt Bouldin, Steven Gray, and Elias Harris is one of the most dangerous and talented of any in the nation. However, if Sacre can start to get his scoring touch and aggressiveness going in the paint, it elevates this team to an even higher level, and I think a Final 4 contender. I look for this to be a point of emphasis this weekend, especially with huge games against Portland, Memphis, and St. Mary's looming in the next two weeks. Behind a double-double from Rob Sacre, I expect the Zags to secure the 78-66 victory.
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Zags opponents had a good day today
Illinois, Oklahoma, and Colorado all won as did Memphis, also
Teams ranked around Gonzaga nearly all of them lost: BYU (12), Tennessee (14), and Temple (15),
Should be a good day for Gonzaga’s rankings in the Polls, SOS & RPI; of course it doesn’t mean a thing if we do not focus on Santa Clara & USF.
Zags focus on those books and your game.
On the road
It seems like we have been a little more focused on the road latley. We played great at Illinois, St. Mary’s and San Diego. Hopefully we can continue that this week!
ESPN 2, my new HD Vizio, and a six pack of good micro brews, what more could you ask for besides a W tonight?
yeah it's brutal
they view it as a health hazard for their viewers because people might have uncharacteristic seizures or heart attacks if they see Elias in HD. I just get a feeling of euphoria and happiness, but people not used to it might have problems. I can’t imagine why else they wouldn’t put us in HD…
Welcome to the Sound Pound...
Just wanted to issue a warning to the team:
The upset bug is still going around Div. I, top 25. #23 Vandy dropped #14 Tenn 85-76. New Mexico squeeked by #10 BYU 76-72. Unranked Charlott over #15 Temple 74-64.
Don’t let the bug bite tonight, too.
Tom117
Call me cRaZy, but I think the ending is gonna be a massacre
GO ZAGS!!~
GU 78 Santa Clara 61
Its gonna be gLoRiOUS!!~
I like it
in fact…I think it’s a massacre worse than that!
The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!
15 point game
I got a feeling our D is going to be a lot better than the last two games. Zags win this going away.
mjc

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