After rough road stretch, Gonzaga braces for season defining home stand
by Zach Bell on Feb 5, 2012 9:55 PM PST
Email
PrintBelieve it or not, we are just weeks away from the end of the 2011-12 regular season. For Gonzaga, that means time is running out. Six conference games remain on the schedule and, for all intents and purposes, we will have a pretty darn clear picture of the WCC after next weekend. On Thursday, the conference leading Gaels of Saint Mary's head into the McCarthey Athletic Center. Saint Mary's will be looking for a season sweep of the Bulldogs in addition to maintaining their perfect conference record. The Gaels have been a force all season long and carry a pretty commanding 2.5 game lead into February. Also paying the Zags a visit this week will be Loyola Marymount, which is currently tied for third in the West Coast Conference and is only a half game behind the Bulldogs.
For lack of a better phrase, the Zags did not have the most pleasant road stretch over the past few days. After getting dominated by BYU in their first visit to Provo, Gonzaga flew to Malibu to recover against the woeful Waves of Pepperdine. Although Mark Few's squad got off to a great start against Pepperdine, they fell back into old habits and allowed the Waves to make the contest far too close. They escaped with a 12 point win but the game was hanging in the balance far too late in the second half. Now, as we close the book on the road stretch that was, it is time to look ahead to some home cooking for the Zags as the Gaels come to Spokane.
As I mentioned in the intro, Gonzaga can't afford to lose another game between now and Vegas if they want to preserve their streak of regular season conference crowns. Even if the Bulldogs win out, they will need some help from either LMU or another WCC team as Saint Mary's has to lose twice down the stretch of the Zags to split the crown. At this point, Mark Few and his staff need to focus on what they can control and that is getting some revenge on Saint Mary's and BYU in the friendly confines of the McCarthey Athletic Center and preserve a double bye in the conference tournament.
What is a bit frightening now is that I am not sure what we can expect on Thursday. Against BYU, Gonzaga saw basically every one of their weaknesses get brutally exposed by the Cougars. Most notably, the Zags' front court was a complete paper tiger. Over the past few years, we have discussed the potential and talent possessed by the various pieces of the Bulldog front line. However, over the past two years, we have seen the limitations of those words: "potential" & "talent". Those limitations are easy to understand: they don't always translate into productivity. In particular, Robert Sacre has continued to struggle. Sure, he's putting up double digit point totals most games but his ability to finish around the basket has not improved this season and he continues to get victimized in situations where most 7-footers easily finish plays.
Don't get me wrong, Rob does a number of things well, but his lack of improvements offensively are a major source of frustration. He isn't the only front line player to struggle. While I continue to maintain that Elias Harris is significantly underutilized by Mark Few, I have noticed that a large part of his disappearance during games is self inflicted. He seems to put himself out of position offensively and, particularly against BYU, he gets lazy with the ball and that causes turnovers. Elias can be so dominant around the basket but it has become painfully obvious that he needs to be micro-managed by the staff at the start of games so he doesn't disappear.
As this blog post becomes more of a discussion of past games, there are just a number of worries that continue to bubble up. While the front line has been a source of constant frustration, it has to be brought up that Gonzaga's bigs are not exactly being aided by the recent play of the backcourt. While Kevin Pangos looked better against Pepperdine, he needs to elevate his game and be a more consistent force as does Gary Bell. Now that we are thru February, it is hard for me to sit here and say that I believe one of Gonzaga's small forwards are going to step up so that puts a ton of pressure on Pangos and Bell. Can they handle it? We will see.
We will have much more as the Saint Mary's showdown approaches. Hopefully the tents are being set up outside the MAC as we speak!
101 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
the 3
As awful as last week was, what I saw from Edi and Hoff in Malibu was pleasing. Hoff was able to knock down a 3 (where was that against BYU!?!) and had a nice offensive rebound and putback. He finished with 4 reb and 1 assist with no TO. Edi was incredibly efficient in 19 minutes (13 points, 3 reb, 2 stl, 0 TO), although I would like it if he could hit a FT. Edi looks like he is settling in on the defensive and offensive ends. I think he will be key vs. SMC if we want to be able to guard Stephen Holt.
On another note, I can’t remember feeling this nervous about a GU team with only 4 losses in February.
Well Hoff took 3 open 3s against BYU and missed them...
And even though those are exactly the shots we want him taking and were within the flow of the offense that warranted a benching for the rest of the game. Great coaching.
by SethGrandpa on Feb 5, 2012 11:10 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, freakin Few
You need guys like Hoff, Pangos, and Harris with their ears pinned back, taking good shots, being aggressive…Few has them downright timid sometimes,,, I hate when I see Harris passing up open looks, and whipping the ball around till we turn it over!
I wish Few would quit micromanaging offensively,,, shoot, if youre going to give someone a short leash, make it for something like not boxing out, or losing their man on D.!
On the topic of tents:
Student ticket distribution for St. Mary’s and LMU was Sunday morning…people camped out overnight for the distribution. The tweet for tent sign-ups will go out Tuesday at 12:15 pm. Camping begins Tuesday night. The LMU game will not have camping, but a lot of students will probably go to the game because the distribution for both games was at the same time.
Time to put up.
I may be wrong, but I think we saw what they are made of already.
by Yakazag on Feb 6, 2012 10:35 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Few has done a fantastic job this season. The BYU game is a perfect example.
On the offensive side of coaching the game your job is to get your players open looks. If the players don’t make the shots what can you do?
by DaveValleDrinkNight on Feb 6, 2012 4:36 AM PST reply actions
I agree...
we missed too many open looks against BYU. In the early part of the season as a team it seems like we were shooting with more confidence. I still see some of that lately but not against the better match-ups.
It's kinda strange
If we want to stay in the hunt for the regular season championship we’ll have to “upset” Saint Mary’s. If I were a Saint Mary’s fan, which I am not, I would be gloating over that one.
I still think the offense should be re-jiggered to focus on guard play and away from the front court. The most talented players are being used to support the mediocre. Bell and Pangos are the future of this team.
hoff
I would like to see him get a lot more pt. He is a 6’7 guard forward who can stretch the d. This will only open things up for everyone. I’ve seen enough of ed I to know he is not the answer. Hoff will provide more offense and what i’ve seen he looks willing to play harder on the defensive end.
by montanazag on Feb 6, 2012 7:37 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Hoff is not very good
I do not understand the fascination with him. He “stretches the the d”? He has made NINE 3s ALL YEAR. Who cares if he is 6’7"?
He is averaging 1.9 ppg. on 35 % shooting.
I will be shocked if he is even on the team next season.
Edi is terrible too and the problems at the 3 will not be solved this year. Dranginis will hopefully help next year.
by SanJoseZag on Feb 6, 2012 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
This is such a dumb arguement that pays no attention to sample size.
“He has mad NINE 3s ALL YEAR”??? Yeah, on 25 frickin’ attempts.
“He is averaging 1.9 ppg”? Yeah, he’s only gotten 6.4 minutes per game (96 total). There have been 6 games he DNP’d and 8 where he got 5 minutes or less (many of those coming at the end of blowouts when you’re not supposed to be jacking up 3s, just running out the clock). Complaining about his ppg is inane.
You're missing the point.
He’s not good enough to play. He rides pine.
And yet people refer to him as “stretching” defenses or as an “elite” shooter. They are using a small sample size to make those pronouncements. Whats the difference?
I am just perplexed at how so many people think he’s the missing piece to this team.
missing piece...
no…..needs more PT. Yes. Your conclusion that he sits on the bench cause he is “not good enough” is conjecture. However, what is obvious is he has not capitalized on the “Few” opportunities he has gotten this year……though he did show a bit of what he can do last game….the leash is very short for anyone playing the 3 spot this year….meaning they can and will get yanked in short order if they make any mistake….IMO that is coaching……and still IMO….you don’t grow a garden by crushing the flowers when they don’t bloom when you think they should……take that as you will.
Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character. - the Wizard of Westwood
Maybe SMC is just better.
How can it get better for the Zags? At home, healthy, National tube, great student body?
All of those things should point to a GU win……………………….if GU is a better team. X factor-Mark Few! How he coaches and pre motivates his team will be huge in this game.
IMO, GU is ripe for the picking for all the reasons I’ve been spouting since November. Now I see all things as even in GU’s gym……………………………so it comes down to the staff!
We’ll see.
No maybe. They are better.
Right now, anyway. Well, I agree that Few needs to get the team pumped, but why didn’t he do that at SMC and BYU? I don’t think Few/Staff/Team is accustomed to playing the underdog. I am not confident that they will miraculously pull out a conference championship, and I am not confident that they will get any more than a first round bye in the tournament. I hate to be all doom and gloom, but after watching the Pepperdine game (three times) I just don’t see any emotion. They should have had a chip on their shoulder and ground Pepperdine into the dirt. But that didn’t happen. I realized this as I watch them blow another big lead – to 2-9 Pepperdine!. I don’t think the coaching staff can bring out something that isn’t there this late in the season.
Right now, Gonzaga is the third best team in the WCC.
We complained for years how bad the WCC was. Now they are catching up.
Can't speak for Diz, but I am.
Think I’ll wait until after Thursday’s game to decide how clearly I am seeing, or not.
Final 4 or Bust!!~
Depends on the criteria
If your criteria is talent and the cieling on potential, then GU is a far better team.
If your criteria is execution and consistency, then SMC is better.
If your criteria is overall looks, GU wins outright, as that SMC team is a bunch of ugly dudes.
On a separate note, SMC is hungry and GU is not. That’s easy to explain. We keep winning the conference. Over the last decade SMC does not. This season is about revolt. SMC wants to put bulldog’s heads on pikes and have a parade where they sing and dance, paint their faces in our blood and put the Zags hearts on a spit. GU seems oblivious to the fact that this is a very real possibility.
Few has to find a new way to motivate these guys or it’s off with their heads.
by SoldierofZagistan on Feb 6, 2012 11:17 AM PST up reply actions
Why do you think our talent is better?
Not true.
Delly is better than any guard we have.
Holt is better than any guard we have.
Rob Jones is better than Harris.
Waldow and Rob are a wash.
We may have a better bench.
Ceiling? That means nothing.
I don't think the rest of the fans agree
By fans, I mean GU fans. Maybe if you are an SMC fan, you agree.
The coaches, analysts, and the rest of college nation don’t agree either.
Toke it up!
by SoldierofZagistan on Feb 6, 2012 1:14 PM PST up reply actions
You can say it all you want.
Do we have a guard better than Delly?
A PF better than Rob Jones?
A guard better than Holt?
SMC blew us off the court.
I know its easy to read Andy Katz and read GU Boards for all of your information, but you are too biased to see reality.
Harris held Jones to 2 points
I don’t see how it’s so obvious that Rob is so much better.
Welcome to the Sound Pound...
Jones
In a blowout, Jones only scored 2. But he had 11 boards and 8 assists.
The guy averages 14.8/10.7 and may be WCC POY.
Harris is a distracted under achiever.
Harris = Underachiever
That means he’s not playing up to his potential, i.e. talent.
I'm a GU fan but...
the proof is in the pudding.
Wanting our Zags to be better does’nt necessarily make them better.
At this point in the season, it appears that yes, they are the better team.
Hopefully they, the Zags, will prove to be better but….???…its a BIG BUT at the present!
WHAT?
Are you in one of the tents? Little smokey in there?
We need someone who will lock down Dellavedova
and I don’t know if we have anyone that will suffice.
Pangos & Bell are too short. Edi too raw. Hart maybe, but no offense. Carter?
Who will stick to Delly like WHITE ON RICE?
Hopefully, with home court, our young guards will not be rattled like at SMC & BYU, if they can hit the three, and we can lock down Delly, the steak lives for another day.
Final 4 or Bust!!~
Gaz, we have someone
He’s redshirting however and will miss the opportunity. WHY didn’t we redshirt them all? We would be in the same position as now and have a MONSTER class coming in next year!
Why didn't I think of that? lol
Of course, it’s been thought of before….just ask, rest his soul, the creator of this “streak”, Fitz.
Some bad personnel decisions, and coaching have led up to this. We will have to begin anew, I am afraid next season but, will the lessons be learned? I have my doubts.
It aint over til it's over
I am afraid it will not transpire the way we want but…Until SMC finishes us off on thurs, or not….keep some hope alive.
Final 4 or Bust!!~
just thought i'd stir the pot, LOL
Of course i’d love to see a win!
How about Zags by 30? There, now I feel better……….sure hope it snows by Thursday. Wouldn’t want to make snow angels in the gravel….hehheh!
I have decided to buck up and BE at this game
I had been tossing around the thought of not going because I was thinking if it does go south, I may not survive it in person!
But, If we are going down, and hopefully we will not…..I need to be there to do anything I can to help. I’ll be the guy in the zag jacket, yelling the LOUDEST!
Oh…check your email. LOL
Final 4 or Bust!!~
Bell is our only chance
hart is too slow IMO, Mouthpiece would shoot by him every time. I expect they will try Edi on him but I’m not sure if that will work either.
But...
wasn’t Bell on him the last time? This might be a time I would love to have Meech back. Not very tall, but he could shut a guy down. Disrupt his flow.
Final 4 or Bust!!~
Bell was on him last time cuz that was our best option
He’s still our best option IMO. Maybe mix in Edi to throw someone more physical at him. There’s a reason Dellavedova always torches us, we never have anyone who can match both his speed and physicality.
You don't think Bell
at 6’1 is a bit too small? And not a savvy vet yet that can overcome all the little tricks Delly has learned? It will have to be by committee, imo. And even then….well, we will see.
Final 4 or Bust!!~
I do think Bell is too small
I pretty much agree with everything you are saying. Bell, Stockton, & Pangos are too small, Hart and Edi are too slow. Carter is…too Carter-y?
I just think Bell is our best option. Not a great option…but given the set of players we have he’s the closest thing we have to adequate to guard Delly. God help us all.
Size is not always that big an issue on the perimeter.
Now if they were posting him up — another matter.
Remember the job Quentin Hall did on Richard Hamilton in our NCAA game against Minnesota? Hall was lucky if he was 5’6". Hamilton is 6’7".
It can be done.
mjc
That would make me feel comfortable...
…if Dellavedova wasn’t one of the better post-up true guards I’ve seen at the college level…
With a guy like McConnell or Kevin Foster, size probably wouldn’t matter but with Dellavedova I think it does
I don't remember him posting up anyone
except maybe Stocks.
You may be right, I just cannot recall him doing this all that much.
mjc
He did it a lot last year
against Meech & Stocks almost every time. Gray was the only one who could stop his post up last year. He likes to do it like 12 ft out on the baseline and try to draw a double and kick or just spins past his guy for a lay in.
He did it a few times against GBJ successfully down in Moraga but it’s not like that’s why we lost.
Mouthpiece
has success because he REALLY knows how to use screens, the offensive set has him run through min of two but usually three so he can get the open look….and he hits shots. IMO it is the combination of Holt and Mouthpiece that makes SMC so good. Great movement, excellent, sharp execution of the offensive set….and they both can really shoot the ball…..it is like watching Santangelo and Frahm…two hard working, excellent guards who can really shoot the ball.
He may post up once in a while…..out at 12 feet…and if so…he should be played straight up, no help….Bell is totally capable of staying in front of him…make him shoot….don’t double team…that is what he wants…..if he is going to do that…I tell my team….the moment he catches the ball…we deny deny deny….no help side until he proves he can beat us off the dribble….that way…the passing lanes are taken away…and he is on an island….and even if he makes a couple…that is not SMC game….and now you have taken away a huge part of what makes them so good….all IMO of course.
Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character. - the Wizard of Westwood
by mattydog73 on Feb 8, 2012 9:14 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree
Dellavedova has a list of moves he likes to do and Bennett has a list of plays they run for him. Until we stop one of those sets, they don’t move off it (as they should). In Moraga, we couldn’t make it past the pick & roll (play #1)
Does anyone else feel like our problem is passion?
I see no fire from our bigs. (Watch the end of the byu game when both Rob and Elias are on the bench.) It’s no wonder mike hart has received so much playing time despite his physical limitations. He plays like he gives a damn whenever he’s on the court! Imagine more talented players giving that kind of effort!
(I don’t hate our players, I just wish they cared as much as the fans do)
by derek_cheney on Feb 6, 2012 1:54 PM PST via mobile reply actions
my thought too
I went back and watched the Xavier and Arizona game just so I could get the sore taste of lack of effort out of my mouth. Really don’t know whose going to show up on Thursday night, but one thing is for sure, unless our guys play with some intense passion like they have something to prove, Thursday night is going to hurt.
Speaking of fans...
is it me or do our fans sit a lot? I know the student section is going krazy but it seems like a majority of fans rarely get rowdy or stand and clap at the same time for that matter. Is it only the ones I can see behind the bench on TV? I live in Portland and go to the UP game every year. The majority of the gym is blue and red but you wouldn’t know it. That’s ridiculous to me. We take over that gym…and sit. (I do have to say thanks to the guy who kept screaming “defense bulldogs, defense”, you were awesome!) If our fans went nuts it could make a difference in big games.
Not only do a large proportion of fans sit, on their hands
they give us dirty looks because we can get pretty boisterous, very loud.
It reminds me of people going to the movies. It’s like they just want to sit, be quiet, and get into the game. Cheering fans have become a nuisance to them.
One of the things I have enjoyed the most is the electricity in the Mac. I can definately sense a tameness…..unfortunate for sure.
The other thing is that it seems like the fans are older. Maybe that has something to do with it? I can’t imagine being 60s plus standing and screaming so much. It has to be having an effect.
Not trying to offend anyone. Just my observations.
Final 4 or Bust!!~
Well...
Harder for the younger population to get tickets unless your a student..a lil espensive to get a season ticket…so older folks afford the tix but want to enjoy the game and keep that seat warm…I wish the fans would go crazy, I know I do when I get the opportunity to see a game…
Definately not as loud as it used to be, its almost like were expected to win every game so fans just sit and watch, when we were up and coming ppl were more energetic and excited about our success…
JSH
Excuse me, Excuse me!
Some of us 60+ closer to 70 people not only stand and cheer but are outright rotten to be around when the ref’s are bad………………………..speaking from experience, mind you!
HAHA...Ooooops
Im sure you would be in the student section if you could! sorry just generalizing…
I know when I am 60 and 70 I will be screaming and jumping around…but there are a select few in that matter that are dedicated as the the age increase no offense Mike!
6000 seats leaves mimimal room for other crazy college kids and fans to get the opportunity to scream at the top of there lungs
JSH
I agree.
I got to go to one Zag game a few years ago and found that same experience. Sat with some of the “Blue hairs” and I don’t think they ever got out of their chairs…really!
My older Brother and I were up and down like pogo sticks, LOL. I think it was a Pepperdine game? They got the money scotthen49! And money talks.
OMG
I’d hate to be the ref on the bad side of a missed call with Big Mike in my earhole! I might be wearin a couple of Monte Christos as earings!
Final 4 or Bust!!~
this whole idea we are soft
is ridiculous, most GU fans are overreacting, I watched the BYU game over again, and the only bad stretch of basketball was 29-7 run at the end of the 1st half, and there were three keys to that bad run
1) two really bad Calla by the WCC refs who for the most part reffed the best WCC conference game I’ve ever seen. They let the boys play and were a little inconsistent at times but the no calls were pretty good, if the refs allow the same type of play against St Mary’s then GU has a shot. The two charging calls, the first on Harris during a fast break and the second on bell were both bailout calls and negated 2 GU baskets that were needed and the second call sent Davies who was on his tippy toes leaning into bell two shots on the other end. He made both.
2) Monninghoffs two wide open looks that just didn’t go down
3) Sacre can’t just make a layup. if I were mark few I would ban him from dunking again, every time he winds up he gets blocked from behind.
5 points from.charges that should have been blocking charges.
if moninghoff hits one that’s 3 points and sacre not laying up the ball is 2, ten points, the difference in the game. I liked how they played, and the effort throughout the game, we just need to knock down shots, if we shoot our average on 3 pointers we win the game.
by Brian Boyer on Feb 7, 2012 7:55 AM PST via Android app reply actions
I tend to agree with this
People tend to be calling Rob soft to explain his lack of post presence but I don’t think it is a toughness issue or whatever you want to call it. I just don’t think the guy is that skilled as a post scorer and people are throwing around intangible things to make up for the fact that he just hasn’t developed the way many were hoping. Great guy, has made great strides in many areas, but he’s just not a consistent threat around the hoop.
The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!
by Zach Bell on Feb 7, 2012 8:14 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
maybe you are right...
it could be his lack of ability…But anything someone does consists of the HOW just as much as it is the WHAT.
From what I see he lacks the skill and he plays soft. For me that means: not strong with the ball…my nanny could swipe the rock from him. not taking it strong to the rim…not fighting hard for position on rebounds….maybe what I am calling “soft” is just a passive attitude…..idk…..but it sure pisses me off to no end! ;)
Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character. - the Wizard of Westwood
see I disagree, I think he could be a consistent threat around the hoop....
Besides his obvious size advantage, he does have a good shot and a nice shooting touch, as evidenced by his free throws. For whatever reason, he doesn’t seem to be comfortable in the area immediately under the hoop, banging bodies with the opposing team’s bigs. He can’t play like a Shaq or Dwight Howard, but I would like to see him play more like a Pau Gasol.
He should be catching the ball at the mid and high posts, facing up to shoot or pass. But even when he catches it down on the low block he should still quickly turn and shoot or pass. Id like to see him shoot the ball more from a little further out, then trying to dunk or lay it up at the rim.
I don’t know, have we seen anything to evidence his lack of ability to shoot the ball from mid range?
"have we seen anything to evidence his lack of ability to shoot the ball from mid range?"
Actually, we have seen proof of his ability to hit the mid range shot. This year in preseason practices and scrims he looked unstopable. He scored at will against former Zag bigs {Batista, Turiaf, Calvery, Morrison, etc.} with a very fluid 10/15 foot fade away and that little hook/floater he has.
His baby hook keeps coming up just a little short of late and he misses bunnys all the time too. I just don’t get it.
It’s common knowledge that Sacre doesn’t have the greatest vertical, and I keep hearing that his lift is even more compromised because he is tired, late season wilting?
But I don’t now. He looks like NBA material at times. Then, not so much.
Final 4 or Bust!!~
And we actually won the second half.
So it proves that it can be done. Nice post.
Final 4 or Bust!!~
the only bad stretch????
A 29-7 run is more than a bad stretch, that’s almost a half of basketball. Are you really breaking that stretch down play by play… Cmon, that sounds ridiculous. “Well, if we made 2 threes, made a few layups down low, got blocking calls instead of charges… Blah blah.. then we would have been even.”
by rpballer25 on Feb 7, 2012 3:38 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Who Knows
Maybe the zags find rhythm and momentum if they make the baskets. I’m just arguing that GU didn’t lose because GU was less physical then BYU, Gonzaga lost because they missed more shots then BYU. But all the bigs were banging in that game and they were fighting to the very end. That 29-7 run wasn’t caused because BYU scored at will, every bucket they made was a hard basket. Ours were also difficult to make but GU def had some great looks.
Wouldn't be too sorry....
to see the WCC streak end. Yes it would be cool to pass the famous UCLA teams but if we’re second behind them that’s pretty cool too. Such streaks put a lot of extra pressure on teams that doesn’t need to be there. This team LOOKS like they are playing tight and I think that has a lot to do with their recent stumbles. I would trade a WCC title for an elite eight appearance (dare I say a final four???) in a heartbeat. Wouldn’t all of you be okay with second in conference, first at the WCC tourney and an elite eight or higher finish in the NCAA? I know I would say that was a damn successful season! I say good riddance to the Conference title. Lets just be sure that we get that second seed to the WCC tourney. That’s the most important thing!!!!!
when spangler is healthy....
when spangler is healthy, and I hope it will be sooner rather than later, please put him at the five, when Sacre is resting. Trust me, the offense won’t stagnate with Spangler in there instead of Sacre, since Sacre is a seven footer who plays like he is smaller than Stockton.
In fact, David consistently blocks Sacre’s shots or swipes the ball in practice.
Looking forward to nexf year, we’ll have Kelly down low who can be an offensive presence, but will have to learn to be an intimidator. Kelly sure can finish a heck of a lot better than Rob, and has toughened his game somewhat.
speaking of which
has anyone heard anything about Ryan? Maybe back this week?
"Average is as Average does"
by NCWzagfan on Feb 7, 2012 2:12 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Only this:
“Spangler returned to practice Monday on a limited basis with a smaller brace on the surgically repaired left pinkie finger he broke three weeks ago. Few said the next couple days will determine whether Spangler is available Thursday.”
Final 4 or Bust!!~
Being "available" vs being in game shape, are two different things.
I don’t like the sound of even thinking of using him just yet. Too much future at stake, no?
It is not 100% healed. Re- breaks can be practically deforming.
Final 4 or Bust!!~
it's a pinky injury, that has no bearing on him being in game shape or not.
he has probably still been practicing, running, and staying in “game shape”. Yea he probably won’t be able to accurately shoot the deep ball, but I don’t remember that being his role previously.
just tape the shit out of it, and if he can catch the ball, he might be useful to play some good D, rebound, and give the other bigs a blow. I dont think there’s any real concern of him hurting it again, as long as they use some tape unsparingly
Sacre is not "basketball strong"!
A player can bench press 500 lbs and not be strong on a basketball court. If you have a chance, watch the ESPN 30 for 30 presentation on Chris Herren called “Unguarded”. He was a player from Mass, who finished his college career at Fresno St, and had a couple professional stints in Denver, Boston, and overseas. THAT is basketball strong. A 6’2" guard who flat out could do anything he wanted to do on the hoop court, while basically living a double-life as a junkie. His reverse lays and jump stops in the lane and pulls from 30+ feet are impressive. Kemba Walker with much more range.
I think GU should limit what Rob does. IMO they should plant him on the blocks and use him to rebound misses there, get any garbage around the blocks, and teach him to keep the ball high and finish at the goal. Sam and Elias can handle high post looks and any post moves down low. One more thing- check out the center for West Virginia- Kilicli- an absolute mountain, also with very limited skills. He got 20 Saturday against Providence. He’s funny, he’s volunteered to be the team’s mascot also. We should be getting as much or more out of Rob. Sorry one more thing: watch ND vs WVU tomorrow. Cooley for ND. The center position will look like sumo wrestling in that game. Out.
Thats what SMU does
with Wahldow, he just picks up garbage all the time.
Basketball Strong, revisited
In high school we had a 6’5" player we did’nt appear particuarily strong.
Yet this guy would consistantly score almost every time he got the ball near the rim even with two, sometimes 3 guys hanging on his arms.
As a result my high school went on to win the state championship with him.
Now…he was basketball strong.
Rob?…I keep looking at him. He looks very imposting yet he seems to be easily seperated from the ball…Hard to figure???
The other side of the coin- player doesn't look strong but is on a basketball court.
I bet you were doing all the weight-training to get better, and he was just playing ball.
Sacre
brings the ball low to catch the double team leaning in, then goes to the rim with both hands to draw the foul. It works often and gets him to the free throw line. I can’t remember seeing him dunk with one hand. He sometimes looses the ball on the way up, but gets a favorable call. He has done this since he was a freshman.
But, when he turns the ball over like this it makes him look weak. Oddly, his turn-over rate isn’t worse than any of the other starters.
One more thing
Dellavedova’s turn over rate is 2.8 per game, Sacre’s is 1.7. The other part of that is Dellavedova’s assist rate is off the charts at 6.4 per game, Pangos is 3.4 assists with 1.9 turn overs.
If you have a bum thumb
It’s pretty hard to control the ball with that (his right) hand only.
I dunno how bad he injured his thumb, but speaking from first had experience, my thumb injury never healed 100% — that and it is really easy to injure that same thumb.
mjc
Back in the bad old days
They just taped my thumb to my other fingers/hand. No brace — no nuthin.
I played — didn’t exactly set the world on fire but I saw a lot of minutes (you can rebound with a bum thumb if you box out — does not affect shot blocking).
mjc
so what are you saying?
Sacre can’t score from anywhere but the charity strike, he turns the ball over consistently, is mediocre rebounder, and rarely blocks shots….and this is a description of him when healthy.
SMU?
Really?
How old are you? SMU=Southern Methodist University
You people!
tl;dr: blather.
Everyone here is acting like crack fiends—itching and scratching, (tweaking!) and yelling at each other—and it is all because our basketball team isn’t the best in the WCC…Insanity!
Or, perhaps, this is just me selectively reading posts and reply’s…I mean, I’m no saint myself.
I, lightheartedly, think things will work out for the best. Since, from my vantage point, we’re being baseless, for the most part—I don’t want to include everyone because some posts/replys I have read have been well thought out and educated (thank you, specifically, SethGrandpa, and then for the most part mikesequim, and, to keep things interesting, MdZagFan)(I need not intentionally leave off others, other than I don’t read your tag’s enough—as you don’t post enough “controversial” or, well—plainly, enough content.). I have now lost my train of thought. “Train of thought” sure is an interesting colloquialism.
Back to baselessness—this isn’t meant to be an attack (well, maybe?!) but more a slap in the face—and, believe me, with no intended malice—to wake the folks who are stuck, drunk in a ditch—a ditch dug deep on the banks of the Spokane….it’s more where we all are coming from (and yes, a tag has recently called me out for speaking for ‘everyone’ when I use the word “all”—but it is meant to be a royal “all”). We are coming from 11 straight WCC regular season titles; we are invincible. We are, possibly, the second greatest college basketball franchise in the history of, well, college basketball. That’s insane! We are insane! How could we not be? We expect perfection; we expect to win.
I, for one, welcome an era of new beginnings. Let’s take our underrated players—I’ll say underrated because they are are freshman and sophomores—and upset some teams in the tourney—that is, if we make it to the big dance……
I regained consciousness, I think we are doomed in the regular season. I think, personally, we need to—hopefully—come together and win-out. We have to. Can we? Yes.
Blast!—I have become the fiend I accused you all of being! All I want is to win this confounded regular season title.
My message: Be lighthearted, optimistic and realistic; but, by god—we’re all Catholic’s here aren’t we!—have some fun….
Ha!
Catholic?
Um, I didn’t know that was a prerequisite for being a Gonzaga fan. I might have to delete myself from this site and find a new team to follow…..LOL
Well then, under that vein...
Let’s make St. Mary’s an offer they can’t refuse, capice?
Final 4 or Bust!!~
Being Catholic is not a prerequisite
I’m a lapsed Catholic myself, but I have friends who are friends and alumni that run the gamut from atheist to Buddhist.
imo, 4 keys to the game tomorrow
1. Defend the pick and role. Della is damn good at it and we (few) best have a better stratagy than we did last game.
2. Our bigs need to FINISH in the paint. A double double from one would be nice.
3. 5-12 (at least) from beyond the arc.
4. 14<TO
Feel free to add or shake your head to these.
"Average is as Average does"
Point 1 I would replace with
Need to stop dribble penetration period, BYU was successful in the second half by actually defending Deledova (spelling) beyond the three point arc almost halfway between the arc and the center circle. Gonzaga needs to stop dribble penetration and get rid of the help defense concept because that’s how a) they got open looks from three point land and b) how Wahldo got such garbage points and rebounds. To help accomplish this is I would hope that Gonzaga employs a very physical game plan and forces St Mary’s to work like BYU had to work to get points. I don’t know if the refs will allow it, but if they allow the same type of play as the BYU-GU game I forsee a long road for St. Mary’s.
IMO it's easy...Box and 1, and have GBJ follow Delle all over the court.....
biting him, pinching him, putting his shoulder in him, elbowing him in the chest, talking some shit, and doing whatever it takes to get under Delle’s skin without letting the refs catch on….real street ball type stuff
this is on top of GBJ playing his usual good defense
we'll know tonight
we won’t have to wait until after this weekend or next.
Gonzaga does not win the WCC regular season title without a win tonight.
Bulldogs win, they only need for St. Mary’s to lose one more and Gonzga controls their own destiny.
need at least 2 victories out of 3
against BYU, Loyola, & St Mary’s to be a lock in the tournament, or the Bulldogs become a bubble team
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on The Slipper Still Fits
Related FanShots on The Slipper Still Fits
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
