Pangos, Harris lead the way as Zags cruise by Butler
by Zach Bell on Dec 20, 2011 8:51 PM PST
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PrintAfter a solid win over Arizona this past weekend, the Zags were looking for another quality win to bolster their nonconference resume. While this is definitely not a Butler team of years past, the Zags took care of business tonight and really dominated the opposing Bulldogs by a score of 71-55. Gonzaga was paced by Elias Harris and Kevin Pangos, who both finished with 19 points on the night.
Elias Harris nearly locked up another double-double but finished one rebound shy of the mark. He was a force early in the game and continued to provide a spark as the game continued on. It was pretty clear from the start of the game that Mark Few's strategy was basically to unleash Harris on Butler in similar fashion to the Arizona game. Harris got the ball in good position, drew fouls, and played very efficiently. He is potentially playing his best basketball in a Gonzaga uniform; especially when you factor in his rebounding contributions and his defensive improvement.
Harris' partner in crime tonight, and for most of the season, was Kevin Pangos. While Pangos captured the hearts of Gonzaga fans everywhere after his incredible shooting display against Washington State, the most impressive part for me is that Kevin continues to blossom into a very good looking young point guard. He was 7-11 from the floor tonight, had four rebounds, and two assists in what I think was his best all around performance. Although Kevin had three turnovers, he had a number of nice looks in the interiors that simply weren't converted. It is pretty clear now what he was praised so much before arriving at Gonzaga.
While Harris and Pangos were exceptional, the most enjoyable part of the game for me was seeing the efficiency of the rest of the squad. First of all, Gary Bell and Guy Landry Edi both had great all around games. Most notably, both were great on defense as their length really does cause heartburn for other teams. Bell was also efficient on offense, going 2-3 from the floor and finishing with nine points. Most importantly, zero turnovers for Bell on the night. Landry Edi is simply fun to watch. He is a prototypical wing with a monster frame and he has no fear. He attacks the rim, flies around on defense and is just always around the ball. Honorable mention to Sam Dower and David Stockton who were also pretty darn near error free tonight. Sam's confidence continues to flourish as the year continues.
Mark Few's Bulldogs now sit at 8-2 as we inch closer and closer to West Coast Conference play. Up next, a date with the Falcons of Air Force on Thursday at the MAC.
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ROB?
Why is Rob MIA? Seems tentative and out of sorts for the past 3 games, especially tonite? Any reason-injury? Hope this is a passing fancy. We did great without much from him tonite, but will need all he’s got later.
Rob
never really got the ball in a good opportunity to score. His only points came on a gimme dunk. I remember 2 of his 3 missed shots: one was a 17 ft jumper as the shot clock expired…can’t really blame that on Rob. The other was after an offensive rebound where he was falling backward and tried to put it back up but it fell short.
I can’t remember Rob getting the ball in a good post position to score all night. Part of that is Butler keying on Rob and doubling him, part of that is Harris, Dower, and guards taking more shots.
by i_am_a_ZAG on Dec 20, 2011 9:16 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Butler keyed on Sacre and the other Zags burned 'em
The ESPN announcers mentioned several times that Butler defenders were keying on Sacre the whole game… but it backfired because five other Zags hit 3-pointers: Pagos (3), Harris (3), Bell, Edi, and even Dower! Gonzaga was 9-18 (50%) but Butler was 6-25 (24%). Stop to think about this for a minute, fans… last year we often lamented about GU’s poor 3-pt shooting and bad 3-pt defense… but lately they’ve completely reversed that fault. I love their new trend; let’s hope they keep it up!
I think MIA is wrong
I think what we are seeing is that a team must decide what to take away. Sometimes they take away Harris, then it was Pangos, and now it is Sacre. When they do this, our team is showing how another player steps up and fills the void caused when they double that person or play them so tight they cannot get a shot off. Our team has more weapons than almost every previous team. I also think that our defense shuts down the other team and makes them work harder. Fun to watch and yes we will have some bad stretches, but hopefully we can come back.
they have to choose their poison this year
If they take away Sacre, they have to deal with Harris and Pangos. If they take away Pangos, they have to deal with Sacre and Harris. Harris is the trump card because he can score in the paint and from outside. The Zags can spread defenses out this year because they have threats from all over. Last year, defenses could bunch up and dare the Zags to try and beat them from the outside. No longer.
I'm very impressed with Edi
Other than being overly aggressive on two plays, he looked great. For only playing in his second game with this team, he seems to already be comfortable and finding his niche. Again, very impressed.
Interesting that senior Carter only played 3 minutes.....
And the incoming freshmen are seeing way more playing time……
by Poulsbozagfan on Dec 20, 2011 9:53 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
Really tought Carter would compete harder with Bell for the 2 guard spot, but right now seems out of sorts. Hope he keeps working to get more minutes. We need him as a solid back up to Bell. just don’t thin we can get away with that Pangos/Stockton guard lineup verse elite talent. We nee a decent sized guard that can come in and dontribute and defend bigger guards. He has to be the one so keep working Marquise!!! Kids seem to be putting it together and keep getting better. Really fun to watch. Pangos and Bell, WOW. Very impressed with how patient Bell was tonight and didn’t force anything. he’s matured a lot in a short time. Very solid.
Say hello to Edi and Bell
and goodbye to Carter.
by CLT_ZagsFan on Dec 21, 2011 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
Three guard offense tonight + combo of E/Sam/Edi (Rob never really got that benefit because he played mostly when Hart was in)
Outstanding play! What a difference it makes when you make your opponents guard all 5 players. The passing lanes open up as well as the driving lanes and the kick backs to the perimeter shooters. Add in the fast break opportunities with those guards and Shaaaaaazam!! The game changes dramatically when teams are allowed to sag off players and jam the post. The angles for passing to the post become so restricted and eventually lead to TO’s and bad sets. Right now, this is a major issue that MUST be fixed in order for this team to become really good. E is on fire and should be ridden hard and put away wet, every game! There is no question that the 3 guards/ E/Sam/Rob/Edi should be the main focus. MH should be used in key situations and (brief relief) for tired players.
I wouldn’t rag on Rob much tonight at all. He was double teamed on many occasions and was the target of Hart’s man who sagged relentlesly all night on Robo. Well scouted and well coached. As soon as Hart was replaced or Hart and Rob together replaced, the game style immediatly changed. The post really opens up for “E” and Sam with Stocks, Pangos and Bell on the floor. Fun to watch! Nice win.
The saddest part of this year, is Spangler not playing in 3 games already. This may be the worse decision the young man along with the staff has made pertaining to this years team, IMO. How sad! He could be one of three transfers next year…………….I sure hope not.
By the way,
Merry Christmas to all of you and travel safely.
Guy Landry
Something seems up with his knee the way he moves around the court, he has a brace on his right knee now and isn’t moving as well as he used to. I know he hit the 3 pointer and made a nice move to the basket, but it looks like he’s playing on 1 leg right now. He’s moving around like Bol Kong out there.
Not sure we were watching the same player out there.
I thought Guy was everywhere on the court, and had at least a step on most of the Butler players.
by MedZag on Dec 21, 2011 1:45 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
you can't tell
that he’s favoring his right leg? I’m not saying he played horrible, just making the observation that he isn’t 100 percent, probably not even 90 percent.
If true
I’m extremely excited for 100% Guy
by superZAGnics on Dec 21, 2011 11:12 PM PST up reply actions
Guarding 5
You hit the nail on the head. With Hart in the offense is weak. It is 4 on 5 basketball. He does provide an occasional offensive rebound that justifies his existence but the entire offence suffers for it. It was really obvious tonight to see just how dynamic the offence can be without Hart on the floor. Stock looked good but my fellow Canadian Pangos was and is going to be the real deal! Thanks Mike!
Merry Christmas!
I disagree
Hart brings more to the table then an “occasional” offensive rebound. He had 6 against arizona, along with 6 points, and 2 blocks. Granted, he played 30 minutes.
I think a good amount is 15-25 between him and Edi respectively. His intangibles are off the charts for me.
I think he has proved himself to be a real spark. In fact last night when we looked lazy last night i was like “Man, we could use hart’s energy right now,” and there he came.
by berkie on Dec 21, 2011 9:41 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Double teams
I agree about his intangibles but if you watch our recent games teams have decided to come off Mike to double team Rob (and soon to be Harris as well) which I account for the reason why Rob’s numbers are down the last few games. Early on he wasn’t getting doubled but now he is and its almost always Hart’s man coming to double team. This will be a big problem for the bigs if we can’t fill that spot with someone that can score at least enough to make the other team have to respect him. Hart doesn’t garner that respect right now.
Proud Zag in Oklahoma!
Gosh! What a fun game to watch last night! The Zags are really rounding into form now and I think the sky’s the limit for this team. The Zag Man was definitely a proud fan!
Let me first say that Kevin Pangos played beautifully last night! It was such a joy watching that kid play, and I think the best is yet to come! KP looked completely in control of the game and really added a lot of excitement both offensively and defensively. He didn’t just opt for the jump shot during the game, but attacked the rim last night and got on the line. Every time KP goes to the charity stripe, I just feel so good! This young man has a beautiful stroke on his free throws, and he’s the one guy that needs to have the ball in his hands at the end of the game when the game is still undecided. He’s going to win a lot of games for us on the free throw line over his career. I also loved that Kevin was the only Zag that went to the floor to tie-up one of the Butler players on one of the loose ball during the game. Several other players were just standing around. KP obviously just wants to win and will do anything to get the "W".
GBJ also played great! Gary seemed out of control early in the season, but is much more at ease out on the court now. GBJ never pressed the issue and let the game come to him. He shot when he had a good shot and attacked the rim and got 4 key free throws in the second half. I really was impressed with how he played! Good job, Gary!
Finally, let’s give some kudos to Elias for his play. After a monster game against Arizona, he played a solid game against Butler. Elias is a beast under the boards! I love watching that guy rebounding. He is definitely back and all of our future opponents are now in deep trouble! With the way the Zags are playing now, I’m really looking forward to see the game against the Air Force tomorrow night.
Mele Kalikimaka from cold and windy Oklahoma!
When we begin conference play...
I think it will be interesting to see how it affects the bench players. What I mean is that there are multiple games in which we should see blowouts, and when those games happen hopefully the younger guys that don’t get minutes will get playing time.
Will these minutes during conference play satisfy the players like Spangler, Hoff, and Keita? I think that Spangler and possibly Hoff can see their playing time increase exponentially with the loss of Rob and Carter next year. Keita however seems to me to have no place on this team now or in the future.
What do you all think about these players and the way to keep them around?
Spangler
will definitely get some minutes in conference play, as will Hoff. Keita…maybe. But he chose not to redshirt so it’s on him.
Redshirt is not a gimmie
I dunno if Keita had the option to redshirt. This option is not extended to a scholarship player unless it is felt it will help the team in the long run.
Keita may be here for reasons other than playing basketball - like -- getting an education and experiencing the USA. Maybe he doesn’t need to start like some of the home grown talent that has other motivations.
IIRC Lloyd made it quite clear to Keita that he might not get to play much before he came here.
I don’t want to discount Keita’s contribution to the team but it may be in ways that don’t translate to the floor during a game.
mjc
Congrats, but . . . .
That is a pretty bad 4-7 Butler team. No offense whatsoever.
Real test is full Xavier roster.
You must have missed the Purdue/Butler thriller
The nation got to see Butler make a valiant comeback against a very good Purdue team on CBS a week and a half ago. As a result of that win by Butler, I guarantee you that the Zags gained supporters nationally with sound win against Butler last night, especially those college b ball fans who pay attention to the mid-majors.
Butler...
They are a good team, they lost to Xavier, the Zags beat Butler worse. They had an overtime loss to Valpo and some very close games.
Butler seems to have this trend every year, slower starts but stronger finishes. Xavier will be a tough test for sure especially in there Barn. If we shut down Holloway and limit Lyons we come out with a W.
JSH
athletic (quick) teams always give us trouble
hopefully this is the year, we turn that around
it's not as bad this year
Bell and Harris might be the most athletic players we’ve ever had, with maybe the exception of Jeremy Pargo
not all
athletic players dunk the ball, and not all players who dunk are athletic. Otherwise Ira Brown and Errol Knight would be at the top of the list
I still feel Errol should be up on that list.
his dunks were only a part of his athletic performances.
by superZAGnics on Dec 22, 2011 11:29 AM PST up reply actions
2004-05 WCC Defensive Player of the Year
by superZAGnics on Dec 22, 2011 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
he was a great defender
and could jump out of the gym, but overall he doesn’t have the fine motor skills of Gary Bell
I agree with you there
but in relation to the GU BBall greats, I believe you could come up with two completely different lists if you categorized them by “most athletic” and “finest motor skills”.
by superZAGnics on Dec 22, 2011 1:47 PM PST up reply actions
I think
coordination should be included in athleticsim, such as dribbling ability, shooting ability, and the ability to hit shots off the dribble
I suppose it comes down to how you define "athletic"
There are so many extremely athletic people in the world that are graceless when it comes to dribbling and shooting a basketball. Those endowments I see as more of a basketball skill/motor skill; something GBJ and Pangos display very well and I would like to believe will be up on the list of GU greats after all said and done.
I see athleticism being comprised more of strength, agility and stamina…with that, you would have to believe Errol (and dare I say Guy?) would be up on the list.
by superZAGnics on Dec 23, 2011 9:12 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Micah Downs
Needs to be in this conversation. Dude had huge springs.
by SoldierofZagistan on Dec 22, 2011 4:13 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
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