Thank you, Meech
by zagpundit on Mar 18, 2011 12:46 AM PDT
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PrintWhen you consider an MVP of the epic win against St. John's tonight, the numbers will point to obvious picks like Marquise Carter, who was brilliant with 24 points, or Robert Sacre who established an inside presence at the beginning of the game and set the tone for an eventual 43-20 rebounding edge.
Yet when all is said and done, Demetri Goodson gets the vote -- simply because he controlled the game.
Meech ended up with an average line (six points, four assists, one steal and one blocked shot) but his ability to break down the Red Storm's full-court press proved to be the difference in what will go down as one of the Zags' most impressive NCAA tournament victories ever. The junior consistently threaded through the pressure, splitting traps, finding the open man and initiating offensive sets that resulted in baskets. He refused to be rattled by a press that has given some of the best teams in the country (see Red Storm wins over Duke, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, etc.) complete fits.
Meech has had a tough year, having to deal with the emergence of David Stockton and the resulting reduction in minutes...yet, here's a guy who doesn't complain or grow disgruntled. He just keeps working hard and doing his part to help the team win.
Meech may not be a vocal team leader or drain threes like Stepp or Pargo, but he is a catalyst through his work ethic and toughness. If he is not on the court in Denver tonight, the Zags don't advance to play BYU on Saturday.
Thanks again, Meech. This effort may not be as spectacular as your running game-winner against Western Kentucky in the second round two years ago, but it was just as impressive.
This post does not reflect the views of the blog authors or SB Nation.
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give credit where credit is due
great post as Mr. Goodson deserves the credit, even in the CBS highlights they give a credit to one of Meech’s layups to Carter.
I know I get confused between #2 & #3 when they are on the floor at the same time, but sheesh, that Meech all the way.
No player in Gonzaga history has taken more jabs on this site and others than Meech, he stepped up again in the tournament, just as he did against W. Kentucky.
Four starters next season are Goodson, Scare, Harris, and Carter; who the fifth one is, even few doesn’t know yet.
our starters next year might not be our best 5
depends on what kind of lineup Few wants to use, because we will be loaded next year.
Welcome to the Sound Pound...
Hell of a post
Couldn’t agree more. I forogt how much fun I have watching Meech play. It isn’t always pretty (that half court pass he threw into the third row, for example) but he has got an endless motor. I swear that he doesn’t slow down from tip off to the 40th minute.
His handles last night and defense on Hardy, particularly in the first half, was outstanding.
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Defense
As impressive was his defense on Hardy. Meech has been prone to get if foul trouble while guarding slashing guards. Although he had 26 it was largely unimpactful. Credit to Few for realizing Meech needed to be in the game.
On another note it was obvious DS isn’t completely ready for the speed of last nights game.
meech
lets not kid ourselves, he should have been playing a lot more minutes earlier in the season. Davids physical stature just simply will never get it done against quality D-1 opponents. This is what I have been saying all along! I think Few has had to quick of a trigger on Meech and David’s playing time down the stretch of the season wasn’t because Meech wasn’t playing well. I think he has been playing well for awhile now. He just needs more minutes!
Disagree
I think DS proved himself more than capable throughout the season against a number of opponents. DS’s ability to get the ball effectively to the post was a key difference maker in a number of games.
With that said there are some matchups that are problematic for DS (physical quick guards). Last night was a perfect example. Fortunately for him not all D1 guards are built or play like Hardy.
I’m happy to give Meech his due for last nights performance but that in no way is a knock on what DS has contributed to this team throughout this season. I believe he will have a role to play before this tournament is over.
which games were that?
I can think of Memphis and Xavier eating his lunch the few moments he was out there. I agree with you sort of. I would say DS’s contributions were great in the 2nd half of WCC conference games. My point is this. He can’t get it done against any big physicaly gifted athletes at his respective position! Few can roll the dice with DS during WCC action but not against backcourts with great athletes!
Did u guys watch the Illinois game?
I’m with u montanazag. I was in Seattle for that game and DS was eaten alive. He does pretty good in the WCC but against the big boys – no way.
Meech in his element
Last night’s game looked like a perfect fit for Meech’s talents, and he sure made the most of it. I agree that he defused the two biggest concerns I had about St. John’s – pressure in the backcourt and Hardy.
Meech made me smile later in the second half when he acted like he was encouraging St. John’s defense to come up and guard him. Felt like he wanted to take every one of them on.
Great game. Great win. Good luck. Give ’em hell!
Carter & Stockton have improved Goodson'a play
Carter gives Gonzaga that consistent outside/backcourt scoring threat that Gonzaga needs, so there is less pressure on Meech; Stockton has been successful in the passing game in spite of his lack of size- Meech has learned from him it seems, Goodson has played with a lot more control since David has gotten minutes.
Great Post
The guards have all improved far beyond what I thought was possible. Stockton did have a couple quick turnovers last night, but then calmed down a bit. This is his first tourney game that he has played in.
I have never seen a team handle the press so well. Few knew Lavin was going to press and my guess is they worked on it in practice quite a bit.
Great win, bring on BYU.
They (Meech) brought the ball right down the center of the court every time it seemed.
You could tell they really worked on this as Meech took the inbound pass every time. He stood and waited for whom ever was supposed to get it in to him and then made St. Johns pay..
BYU
In regards to Meech and DS matching up with BYU… I love the options. I think each should see about 20 minutes with Carter seeing close to 40. I would have Meech follow The Jimmer around the court and just pester the shit out of him. If Jimmer brings the ball up, Meech should press him the whole way down. I also think that we will see Quise and Gray have their shot on Jimmer as well.
DS should get many minutes in with Dower running that sweet pick & roll action. BYU doesn’t have the quick athletic guards that SJU had so there is no reason Stockton shouldn’t play like he did in the WCC.
Meech was important.
But for me, I’d give it to either Carter or Harris. I mean when you have a stat line like 24 pts, 6 reb, 6 assists, and 3 or 4 steals, you can’t say that anyone else was more important. That said, I don’t know if we should put Meech on the Jimstar Razor tomorrow night. The size differential would worry me, since Jimstar can shoot from so far out I think you need someone with more length to contest his deep jumpers, like Carter or Gray. And I think both of those have the quickness to stay with Jimstar Razor, as we know Meech does.
by BulldogsNotZags on Mar 18, 2011 4:44 PM PDT reply actions
Have Few give Goodson the green light to pester the hell out of Fredette....
I want to see Meech press Fredette the entire game — keep one hand on him at all times, and the other right in front of his face. Poke-check at the ball every second it is in Fredette’s hands. I don’t think Jimmer’s supporting cast is good enough to beat the Zags alone. Without Jimmer scoring 20+, they’re not going to win.
Zagnificent - GU Class of 2010
have to agree with Charles Barkley and you
on this one,
Charles said that in order for BYU to even be competitive Jimmy has to score 30 pts a game.
I see Few puttinf Gray on Fergi. err Ferdi early and then rotating,
on the offensive end, go to the post all night long, easy two or getting to the FT line; and with the Zags shooting the best team FT% that I can recall, it’s the Sweet Sixteen.
"Thanks a lot Meech"
Yeah…thanks a LOT!
If you get a chance to play much next year maybe save a lil something for the big games, please?
Its gonna be gLoRiOUS!!~
Yes, really.
Perhaps I am to much of a, " what have ya done for me lately" kinda guy…suuure he did a fantastic job vs St. Johns. But I am still chapped about the turd we layed vs BYU. An Enlish Professor once told me to “narrow and focus” so my focus is going to be mostly on Meech because ZERO points and 50% from the free throw line (1of2) aint gonna make it in my book. And he didn’t do much w/ The Jimmer either. My other two areas of focus are with two of my favorite players. Carter & Gray. They sucked too!
Now, Meech has make great strides this year. He has been able to provide more offense, hit some shots, shoot a better % at the line, and his defense had been exceptional. I will aways love him for the winning shot vs Western Kentucky… but what has he done for me lately?…..nothing.
Now, speaking of focusing….I really need to focus on next year or else I am gonna throw up.
Its gonna be gLoRiOUS!!~
Oh, and before somebody reminds me...
Meech did a majestic job vs St. Johns.
Its gonna be gLoRiOUS!!~
3 PGs 2011-2012
So now the big question:
With Meech, Stockton, and Garry Bell Jr. (who is expected to make an immediate impact), what happens now? We can’t have three true point guards on the roster, especially with Pangos coming next year, too.
Will one transfer, and if so, who? Which of the freshman PGs will Few redshirt? This will be extremely interesting to watch as the off-season progresses.
"Gonzaga knows how to party...Jesu-WHAT!"
IMO
Pangos will probably redshirt. Bell seems to be more a 2 guard and will probably start in place of Steven. So really the back court should be relatively unchanged in terms on minutes. Bell will just take Gray’s minutes and Meech and Stockton will continue to split PG minutes with Carter playing similar minutes to the last 10 games or so as a 3 guard.
Barring a mass exodus in transfers, I expect Pangos, Dranginis, Spangler, and Sarbaugh to all redshirt next year.
If Pangos comes into summer and fall camp and practice and absolutely lights it up, I can see him taking some minutes this year. However, I only see this happening if the staff feels he can make a large impact on the team and play 10-15 mpg.
None of those will transfer
I doubt Stockton will transfer anywhere, and Meech is a senior so he’s not gonna transfer. Bell will probably play at the 2, and if Pangos is as good as he seems to be, he may take minutes from Stockton. I could definitely see them redshirting Dranginis, Spangler and Sarbaugh, and possibly Pangos, but GB is definitely gonna get time, if not start at the 2. Assuming everybody returns, This is how I would have our rotation for next year:
C-R. Sacre
F-S. Dower
F-E. Harris
G-M. Carter/ G. Bell
G- D. Goodson/ D. Stockton
K. Olynyk, M. Monninghoff, M. Keita, M. Hart, maybe M. Arop if he doesn’t transfer on the bench.
by BulldogsNotZags on Mar 21, 2011 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions
I like that
but I dunno about E at the 3…we tried that this year and it didn’t go so well
I see
1 – Goodson
2 – GBJ
3 – Carter
4 – Harris
5 – Sacre/Dower
with the guards rotating around a bit
Not sure I like ALL those redshirts
with Manny, Hart, the Two Mathis’, Kelly, and Stockton on the bench, based on the above roster, that means we’d probably have to redshirt Pangons AND Dranginis AND Spangler.
GBJ will make an immediate impact, but I’d really rather see Pangos compete with Stockton for the #2 PG slot. If Pangos really is the PG of the future, and he’s only a year younger than Stockton, why make him wait?
"Gonzaga knows how to party...Jesu-WHAT!"
by Greg Talbott on Mar 22, 2011 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Why make him wait?
If he is not ready to contribute to the team. It takes time to learn an offense. Remember Meech his freshman year? He either played with Pargo and was basically a press breaker or fast break option or he brought the ball up then tried to do too much and turned it over. If he is not able to facilitate the offense then there is no reason to waste a season getting garbage minutes when he could learn just as much practicing against Meech, Stockton, and Carter. Stockton redshirted and I’d say it worked out rather well. He is the only PG we have that truly runs the point well.
by i_am_a_ZAG on Mar 22, 2011 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah I am more and more leaning toward redshirting Pangos.
He seems good enough to run the point already but we are two deep there, and Carter could be another option if need be. I’d probably redshirt everyone except GB
by BulldogsNotZags on Mar 22, 2011 10:28 PM PDT reply actions
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