From Espn Rumors, seems everyone is seeing a lull in our recruiting

We noted recently that Skylar Spencer had cut his list of finalists to four -- a list in which Gonzaga was conspicuously absent. A few months ago, it seemed the Bulldogs would be in the race to land a Spencer-commitment to the very end, so the fact Gonzaga was not included was a definite surprise.

So where does Gonzaga turn to now, in terms of recruiting? The Bulldogs were able to bring in a very talented 2011 class, and it's not clear whether each of the members will take the court next season -- perhaps some will redshirt. However, in terms of GU's 2012 class, the situation is dim -- both Richard Longrus and Zena Edosomwan haven't been connected to Gonzaga in months, and early target Demarquise Johnson seems to have moved on.

Of course, Gonzaga could always return to their highly successful European and Canadian pipeline -- assistant Tommy Lloyd is one of the best at identifying prospects in far-flung places. However, at the moment, it would appear that Gonzaga's 2012 recruiting efforts are stuck.

"and for 4-5 minute spells there’s not a better defender, hustle-play guy and move-the-ball guy than Mike Hart. You’ve seen that I trust him at the ultimate moments most of the season"
Mark Few on Mike Hart
ps, I really hope Ron Artest, I mean Mike Hart starts to live up to the hype

Saint Mary's [22-7 (10-3), RPI: 55, SOS: 129] The hits just keep on coming for the Gaels. Saint Mary's followed its loss at San Diego -- a team with a plus-300 RPI -- with a home loss to Utah State in the BracketBusters on Saturday. Then the Gaels lost an emotional, hard-fought battle to archrival Gonzaga in overtime Thursday night, and that might be the straw that broke this wobbly at-large camel's back. Saint Mary's obviously can't afford another loss in the regular season -- only a home game with Portland remains -- and it almost certainly has to get to the WCC tournament final to have a chance an at-large bid. Frankly, if the Gaels do make it that far, they'd be better off just finishing the job there. After three straight losses, this team just doesn't have much on its resume to recommend it.

Gonzaga [20-9 (10-3), RPI: 76, SOS: 122] We weren't sure the Zags deserved the bubble love they received from our man Joe Lunardi earlier this week, and we're not sure how much better Gonzaga's profile looks after winning at Saint Mary's on Thursday night. But one thing's for sure: It definitely got better. The win over the Gaels adds another decent RPI win to make up for the Zags' dearth of truly top-notch victories, but Gonzaga does have victories over teams (Xavier, Baylor and Marquette) that most at-large mid-major candidates would love. The Watch still thinks Gonzaga can't afford to lose again before the West Coast final. But if the WCC is going to produce an at-large candidate, it appears likely to be Mark Few's team after all.

Gonzaga going after Bryce Jones?

***

There hasn't been much word where Bryce Jones will land. The 6-foot-5 guard was once a promising member of the USC squad but since news of his transfer, there hasn't been any new news (other than he was looking at schools on the west coast).

Scott Wolf of the Long Beach Press-Telegram spoke to Jones and confirmed San Diego State, UTEP and Gonzaga are interested in Jones. But the kicker is -- Louisville and Kentucky might also be involved. Wolf clarifies that neither UL nor UK have requested a release so the situation is still far off for Jones to pack his bags to the east coast but the demand seems to be high for guard.

Could Jones stay out west? Jones says he will visit El Paso after the semester ends and SDSU has a history of roping in transfers from other Cali schools ( James Rahon and Malcolm Thomas).

Gonzaga Bulldogs (Next Four OUT)
Record: 15-9 overall; 6-3 conference; 2-6 vs. RPI Top 50; 5-1 vs. RPI 51-100; 8-1 vs. RPI 150+; 5-6 Road/Neutral
Average RPI win: 167 Loss: 55
RPI: 74
SOS: 39
RPI 1-50 Wins: Xavier, Oklahoma State
RPI 51-100 Wins: Marquette (N), Baylor (N), Portland, at Portland
Bad (RPI 150+) Losses: at Santa Clara
Other Losses: San Diego State, at Notre Dame, Kansas State (N), St. Mary's, Memphis, Illinois (N), at Washington State, at San Francisco
This Week: won at Loyola Marymount 67-57, at Pepperdine (Sat.)
Next Week: Santa Clara (Thu.), San Francisco (Sat.)
Gonzaga has not only struggled with a typically difficult non-conference schedule, capped by Saturday's home loss against Memphis, but in the league too, as they dropped three straight WCC games for the first time in 14 years a few weeks back. That means the Bulldogs may have too much ground to make up. Gonzaga really needs Xavier, Oklahoma State, and Marquette to keep winning because that would improve the value of those wins. However, the Bulldogs also has to take care of business in the WCC, with a game at St. Mary's on February 24th looking particularly critical heading into the conference tournament.

What's gone wrong: Gonzaga always has the best talent in the WCC by a wide margin, but this whole does not equal the sum of the parts. Forward Elias Harris was a freshman sensation but a sophomore question mark. Guard Steven Gray is averaging a career-high 14.9 points per game but shooting a career-low 44 percent from the field. Center Robert Sacre has improved his all-around numbers but still leaves you wanting more. And point guard has been an ongoing issue.

"Who'll be Fan of the Game? The craziest Zag fan gets on the JumboTron, in the Newsletter, & has 3 front row seats reserved for next game!"

Thought this was a great idea that came from tssf, and made an influence on the Kennel club! Also, they have new cheers! Let's get amped up ya'll! It's time for the biggest game yet!

"I think it’s my Achilles’ (tendon)," said Harris, who will have an MRI today. "I heard something pop. I couldn’t get up in the air and I couldn’t run any more."

ESPNs Mark Adams picks L.M.U. to win W.C.C.

"I like and respect Gonzaga coach Mark Few, but I have to make at least one big-time surprise pick. And this is it. Vernon Teel is a matchup nightmare because of his ability to do it all. In one of the Lions' losses to Gonzaga last season, Teel went for 27 points. Plus, he is one of the best in the country at getting to the free throw line (239 attempts last season). Drew Viney is a highly skilled 6-8 forward who can drain the 3-ball (.426 last season) and bury free throws (.819). Larry Davis battled injuries last season but seems to be 100 percent healthy. If LMU is to take down Gonzaga, Davis has to be available and healthy. He was a key component last season when the Lions knocked off USC and Notre Dame.If LMU is to beat Gonzaga for the WCC championship, it has to have an inside big man who can play. 6-10 redshirt freshman Edgar Garibay fills a huge void most WCC teams simply do not have when facing Gonzaga. Would I be surprised if the Zags won their 11th straight league title? Of course not. But I also wouldn't fall out of my chair if they didn't."

This is the one team that concerns me and I have said this all along. They gave us all we could handle last year and everybody returns.

SOUTHERN - The Jaguars only won five games last season, so a step forward is
certainly not out of the realm of possibility this year. However, anything
more than a minor jump in the standings is asking a ton from this squad. Coach
Rob Spivery returns Quinton Doggett and Julius Ingram, two forwards who
enjoyed moments of success last year. Clearly with the best two returning
players being forwards the strength of this year's team will come from the
frontcourt. Doggett was not overpowering last year, and while his offensive
efforts might be streaky at times, his lack of success on the glass is
inexcusable (3.9 rpg), and that is something coach Spivery will want his
junior to improve on this season. As for Ingram, he is the better offensive
player of the two, and while he only posted 7.3 ppg a year ago, he should be
primed to make a jump into the double-figure neighborhood. Jameel Grace and
Brandon White saw minor time on the floor last season and usually did not
factor in many games, but this year the two guards will be leaned on more
heavily and the only question will be, can they handle the added pressure?