The Rivalry Continues: Zags host St. Mary's

by Max Mandel on Feb 11, 2010 11:50 AM PST

After the surprising loss to USF a couple of weeks ago, Gonzaga no longer had that comfortable cushion over the rest of the WCC. All of a sudden, the game between the Zags and St. Mary's on February 11th essentially boiled down to a conference championship game. If Gonzaga wins, they will have a one-game lead in the standing, but essentially a two-game lead due to the fact they would hold the tie-breaker over the Gaels.

While that may seem like a nice amount of incentive for the Zags, I'm not sure it can compare to what is on the line for St. Mary's. If St. Mary's wins this game, they control their destiny in the WCC and could be the team to finally end Gonzaga's dominance in this conference. But as we have also discussed on this site, a win for St. Mary's could be enough for the Gaels to claim a potential At-large berth in the NCAA Tournament this March. Certainly there is a chance that they could earn a berth if they win out, but a win over Gonzaga would likely be the signature victory that is currently lacking on their resume.

With that said, I truly believe that this Gonzaga team has a mindset of greatness and improvement that some teams in the past have lacked. This is a group that wants to improve everyday heading into March, and the back-to-back wins over Portland and Memphis prove that this group has rebounded and improved from the loss to the Dons.

After reading all the comments that you guys have put up on the blog recently (quick note: the interaction and participation has been tremendous recently. Big thanks to all of you!!!!), I find myself very much in the camp of SoundPound. I believe that if Gonzaga comes out tonight and executes the game plan and plays at the level it did against Portland and Memphis, then the Zags are on their way to a 15 point win. However, much like the Memphis game on Saturday, Gonzaga will be facing a desperate team that will play with a level of intensity and passion that many of these guys have never experienced before. It will be interesting to see if this team can feed off the energy of K2 and play with the emotion that it will take to knock off this desperate St. Mary's team.

One of the most important factors I took out of the win over Memphis was the play of Rob Sacre. While it was just one game (who am I kidding? he only played one good half) it was beautiful seeing Sacre playing with the confidence and ability that we all know he is capable of. Sacre will face his biggest test of the season when he tries to slow down Omar Samhan. In the first meeting this season, Samhan completely dominated Sacre, out-scoring him 31-8 and out-rebounding him 12-6. As I have maintained for the past month, the play of Sacre is the difference between this team being good, and this team being great. If Rob can keep his game elevated and continue to be a force in the paint, then I think Gonzaga pulls out a comfortable win.

So how do I see the biggest game of the WCC season playing out? I am torn between the Zags showing up like they did against Portland and just blowing the Gaels out of the gym, or a tight game where the Gaels hang around to the final seconds. I would guess that most of our readers are pretty confident in how the Zags will play, but I worry a little that the emotion and passion of St. Mary's will keep this a close game. Behind a steady performance by Rob Sacre (I'm going to keep predicting this, because I feel like it motivates him), the Zags will hold on for the 77-72 win.

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Comments

Remember 2 years ago

When one of the students dressed up in a giant sumo like out fit with a Samham jersey on. Bobby Sacre needs to come out tonite in his house and limit Omar. I think tonite he does it. Go zags

by vandyman on Feb 11, 2010 12:13 PM PST reply actions

That was

Our student body president in the fat-suit. I was never so proud to be a Zag as I was when I saw him visibly upsetting Samhan from the front row.

Zagnificent - GU Class of 2011

by Zagnificent on Feb 11, 2010 4:36 PM PST up reply actions

pic

Please tell me you have a picture of that to post up.

MJR

by MickeyJoe on Feb 11, 2010 5:08 PM PST up reply actions

Let's Not Forget

Let’s Remember the game Eli Harris had last time we squared up SMC. He was a force all over the floor and really put it to them with 31(? I think) pts that game. He has been slowed down the last few games ( at least in terms of easy buckets) and I think the Gales will keep that plan and try not to have Eli hurt them too bad. I’m not saying he needs to have another 31 pt game, but he needs to be a presence on the floor. Keep SMC honest.
Plenty of good arguments for both teams to come out and play hard, but in my (possibly biased) opinion the crowd is going to play a big factor tonight. Not so much for guys like Samhan who have been through the fire before, but I’m thinking more specifically Dellavedova who has yet to see the Kennel rocking. We will see how he handles us.

Zags are tough to beat at home. 82 74 Zags. Matty B- Player of the Game ( I know real stretch

Go Zags and keep your eyes open for those signs and the mask.

-TKITM

Light up the Halo, Fight On, Go Zags, Bolts, Clip Naton, Viva Galaxy

by The kid inthemask on Feb 11, 2010 12:24 PM PST reply actions

If any students

want to pop The Slipper Still Fits.com on one of their signs I would also be forever grateful.

Just a thought ;)

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

by Zach Bell on Feb 11, 2010 12:26 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

Tent 7's Hard Work

http://img49.yfrog.com/i/krpk.jpg/

we also got one that says FREE GJ with a picture of him on it. Keep your eyes peeled.

-TKITM

Light up the Halo, Fight On, Go Zags, Bolts, Clip Naton, Viva Galaxy

by The kid inthemask on Feb 11, 2010 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Hahahaha

Took a look at the URL that King Kong one is great!!!! LOL…. What exactly happen to GJ tho did they just decide they dont like him anymore or something?

by JDutton35 on Feb 11, 2010 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

Prediction:

Gonzaga-72 St Mary’s-68
I would love to be wrong on this and say that Gonzaga (for once) wins a game comfortably. But with a rivalry like this, I know that is not the case. I think some of our young guys might be a little too pumped up early on, but as the game progresses our talent and depth will prevail. I think Bol Kong finally shakes his slump tonight as well: there is no basis for this, but I just want to see him light it up!

by viva_morrison on Feb 11, 2010 12:51 PM PST reply actions

Shout out to SoundPound

Liked it and liked his Fan Post a couple days ago.

I do think one element of “motivation” was missing from the assessment, and that is the 3/4 seed. I think this team realizes the advantage it would have if playing the first two rounds of the tourney at Spokane Arena.

Agreed that SMC will come fired up and ready to play tonight, but I think the “motivation” factor is at least equal. Add to that the expectations that come with playing for the Zags and I think we see another fired up performance from our team.

by GU.AmericasTeam on Feb 11, 2010 1:02 PM PST reply actions

Not to get off subject or anything

but another great Zag just showed up in my pro shop….very nice to meet Richie Frahm!
GO ZAGS and bring it tonight!

by jomogolfpro on Feb 11, 2010 1:48 PM PST reply actions

St. Mary's

will be seeded after this game win or lose. They are currently a 9 seed according to ESPN, and they will drop down not out.

Tom117

by Tom117 on Feb 11, 2010 4:18 PM PST reply actions

I also meant to say

that I think neither team will dominate. Boulden and Gray’s offense will be balanced by Dellavadova and McConnell. Sacre and Harris inside play will check off against Samhan and Steindl/Allen. These two teams match up very well. The X factor will be the Gonzaga bench.

Look for a squeaker. Gonzaga by 5 or less in overtime.

Tom117

by Tom117 on Feb 11, 2010 4:30 PM PST reply actions

Big 3

They need to have their game faces on tonight. Rob is a big key to how the game turns out and the rest just need to show up give their best.

I hope, GU doesn’t force the ball inside tonight just to see if either Rob or “E” is getting off but instead, feel the game, then make your adjustments.

by mikesequim on Feb 11, 2010 4:42 PM PST reply actions

Although...

Even though Samhan thinks he’s gotten in so much better shape, Rob is still a better athlete. I say get it inside and get Samhan in foul trouble early.

by BW2020 on Feb 11, 2010 7:52 PM PST up reply actions

Gonzaga by 12

After an inspired start to the game, I see the Zags putting up a strong double-digit lead in the first half, and maintaining it through the second. Considering how much St. Mary’s has to respect Elias Harris, I can see Sacre getting some dishes and effectively converting them into points. Of course, both Bouldin and Gray are in their typical form and have balanced lines with one or two 3’s a piece. I will be looking for Manny to have another great performance and an impressive stat sheet, as well as some extended play time. I think Gonzaga wins comfortably 80-68.

Zagnificent - GU Class of 2011

by Zagnificent on Feb 11, 2010 4:42 PM PST reply actions

WCC Title came down to this game regardless

of the USF upset, so all of us might as well put that game behind us.

Kennel start rockin and to those of you who camped out, extar kudos, totally awesomr, rad, cool, sweet, solid, & yeah boy! I thought I would give you some old school compliments along with the most recent ones i’m aware of which are probably out of date as well.

I’m sure you already did your studies so…
Take it to the rim Gonzaga Bulldogs!

by rnpljnsn on Feb 11, 2010 5:13 PM PST reply actions