Elias Harris and the 2010-2011 Zags

by larevblog on Apr 1, 2010 12:51 PM PDT

In light of EH's announcement that he'll be returning for next season (making that kind of announcement kind of hints that next season will be his last as a Zag, for what it's worth), I'm wondering about next year's team. Here's a three-pronged question for you all. First, what will Harris' role on the team be? (That is, will he be the bona fide star GU hasn't had since Morrison, or will he fit in the same way Matt Bouldin did? Or something else?) Second, do the Zags go as far as Harris takes them? (That is, does Harris have to take next year's squad on his back in order for them to realize its potential?) Third, if EH is not the best player on the team and in the WCC next season, do the Zags move into the second week of the Tourney? (That is, you know, what it says.)

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I've been thinking a lot about question #1

We’ve certainly seen Harris show flashes of Morrisonesque dominance, but I’m not sure that he’s assertive enough to make that happen in Few’s offense. Part of the reason that Ammo would put up 30 a game was that he’d never get shut out of the flow — he was always screaming for the ball. I’d be surprised to see Harris do that.

I’m not sure that the Zags necessarily require him to carry them either. Even as we discard the “Olynyk is the next Ammo!” “GJ / Kong / Arop / Marquise Carter is the key to next year’s team!” threads over at GUBoards, It seems to me that there’s decent chance that Gray and/or Sacre have beastly seasons. I’m not banking on them forming a tri-headed monster, but I do think that Harris doesn’t necessarily need to be top dog.

by Hoft on Apr 1, 2010 2:04 PM PDT reply actions

2010-2011

This is what i will expect from next years team….
Elias Harris- 18 ppg 7 rpg and WCC player of the year.
Steven Gray – 17 ppg 4 apg 40% 3pt and 80+ FT %
Robert Sacre – 14 ppg 7+ rpg. Robert has such a soft touch in the paint he could avg 17+ per game.
Sam Dower – 7 ppg and 3+ rpg Sam is someone we dont talk about much but the one game he did play in he had 15 pts 5 reb and 1 assist in 17 min. I expect alot from Dower.
Meech – I would hope he can improve on his outside game and FT% but im not sure that will happen. He is GREAT going to the basket.
GJ – Im sure that GJ will get more playing time next year and will shine if he works hard in the off season.
Gibbs – I really hope he works on his outside game because if he doesnt he wont see many minutes.
KO – Im not sure about this guy, Some on ESPN have him going to the NBA someday. I dont see it. But if KO can knock down the 3 like i hear he can and pull the D out to him and open things up inside for Sacre KO could have a 10+ ppg and 3+ apg season.
Kong – I will give Kong some slack because he got here late, so i do think he will be much improved next season. We know he can hit the 3 ball and we saw flashes going to the basket.
Arop – It is going to be hard to get this guy off the court. 8+ ppg and 6+ rpg and could be WCC DPOY
Marquise Carter – From what i have seen on video this guy can flat out play. He was a redshirt in JC so he is a very mature PG and i think he will be a factor getting us to the Sweet 16 next season.
My wild card for next season is Sam Dower. I really think he brings alot to this team next season. And if we do get Guy-Marc Michel he will fill the roll of Will Foster but with a better FT% I feel we should pass on Guy so we have the extra scolarship for 2011. And last but not least, Donny Daniels will bring some fresh ideas to this team and will help with recruiting for 2011. This was a huge get for the Zags. 4 Final Fours 3 with UCLA and 1 with Utah.

by ZagaZags on Apr 1, 2010 4:01 PM PDT reply actions

This team will go further

if Steven is the WCC POY. This team will be scary good if he can put together a consistent season of scoring. He’s the key and I really have high hopes for what he can do. So talented.

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by Zach Bell on Apr 1, 2010 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice list, I think your expectations are fairly realistic

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Manny get closer to 10 boards/game. His ability to sniff out rebounds is absolutely ridiculous and I expect him to average around 25 minutes/game next season.

by ZagsFanatic on Apr 1, 2010 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions

If Meech can work on his

jump shot this summer, not from the arc, but from 15 feet, and he becomes consistant, it will give the Zags a whole new weapon and pretty much round out a very good team.

A Second Look

by Tom117 on Apr 2, 2010 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Double Double

realistic goal for Mr. Elias Harris as PF, or 20 pts a game as a SF.

There are only two starters I do believe have their positions locked up for next season Elias & Mr. Stephen Gray. Mr. Sacre’s lock is probably a 95% lock at either PF or C (Olynyk at C, w/Sacre at PF is a possibiltiy; especially if Elias moves to SF), Mr. Goodson will have to compete for his starting position, though he is the front runner. GJ, Gibbs, Carter, Johnson, Stockton, or some other strong recruit.
Mr. Mangisto Arop or Mr. Kelly Olynyk will start.

This season we had the same starters every game except two, Gibbs for Bouldin (concussion one game) and the senior home game.
Consistency paid its dividends, however competition will be the name of the game next season, as the palyers and coaches realize with Elias returning for his second season, Gray as a senior, the experience, Sacre, Meech, Olynyk, & Arop gained last year makes gonzaga the front runners for the WCC title for the Eleventh season in a row, an undefeated WCC season, (the women’s Zag’s team just gave them something to strive for), a top seed, and a deep run into the tournament.

last year the expectations were not very high and they exceeded everyone’s expectations, from the casual fan to the experts. The 2010-11 season everyone knows, especially Elias Harris, Steven Gray, Mark Few and the rest of the team know that the Final Four is theirs to earn!

by rnpljnsn on Apr 1, 2010 5:27 PM PDT reply actions

Who is Johnson for the PG starting job competition?

If you are talking about Nick Johnson he is a 2011 recruit.

by GoZags3 on Apr 1, 2010 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Another question...

Do the Zags need EH at small forward in order to reach their potential? I think so, because that would mean Dower (or KO) is serviceable at the four and Rob can stay as a true center. If EH has to play the four, I’m not so sure who could legitimately play the three.

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by larevblog on Apr 2, 2010 7:39 AM PDT reply actions

This is the most interesting point

I really maintain the belief that we will see an 8/9-man rotation that looks like this

PG- Meech
SG- Gray
SF- Harris
PF- Dower
C- Sacre

Backing up at PG/SG- Marquise Carter (If he commits to Gonzaga)…if not, GJ

Backing up at SG/SF- Manny Arop and Bol Kong

Backing up SG/PF/C- Kelly Olynyk

Final 4 or bust

by Max Mandel on Apr 2, 2010 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Agree that will likely be the starting 5

I think a group that looks like this might be more exciting:

Gray
Manny
Harris
Dower/KO
Sacre

Given how many sets we ran last year with two shooting guard types, I imagine we will see it again this season. But, I think the starters will be as you listed them above Max.

by GU.AmericasTeam on Apr 2, 2010 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions