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Oh the power of ESPN’s College Gameday. For the better part of the season, we have been trumpeting the horn and sounding the alarms: these Gonzaga Bulldogs are actually a legit Final Four and national title threat.
Did many people listen? Not really. The fact of the matter is the east coast bias is a real thing, if only because a majority of Gonzaga’s games start later than most adults would wish to stay up on the east coast. It is one thing if you are a die-hard fan of the team, it is another thing if you work the eight to five. Staying up until 1:00 am just doesn’t sound too appealing.
So that is why it is important for ESPN College Gameday to happen in Moraga, pushing the start time of that game to a time when everyone could tune in. The national media did, and the Zags responded. So did the media.
Jay Bilas, who was calling the game, and has generally been a big fan of Gonzaga all season, had this to say:
Gonzaga can win the whole thing. Best defensive team Mark Few has ever had, and a balanced offensive attack. Legit Final Four team.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) February 11, 2017
Jeff Goodman with ESPN came around to see the light:
My apologies to @PKarnowski and the rest of the Gonzaga program for doubting them and picking Saint Mary’s tonight. This team is damn good.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) February 12, 2017
Seth Davis is completely on board:
Anyone ready to pick Gonzaga to win the whole shebang?
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 12, 2017
Gary Parrish said what all of us have been thinking all season:
Anybody still doubting Gonzaga is either stupid or stubborn.
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) February 12, 2017
COLUMN:https://t.co/nFxhAVrldO
Andy Katz and Michael Decourcey beating the dead horse:
Agree. Labels. Don't use them. Gonzaga is elite in every category that matters in judging a program. https://t.co/1Rhj1Zy4U8
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) February 12, 2017
Ken Pomeroy plans on enrolling at the Olynyk Clinic:
I need a referral on the doctor that did Karnowski's back surgery.
— Ken Pomeroy (@kenpomeroy) February 12, 2017
Praise Jon Rothstein, praise!
You can spin whatever narrative you want, but the facts are the facts: Gonzaga has as good a chance as anyone to get to Glendale & win two.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 12, 2017
Clark Kellogg is impressed by the size of the Zags’ jaws:
Very impressed by @ZagMBB. Balance, D, Depth, Efficiency, Poise, Talent,Toughness. Dogs got a LOTTA bite. @ZagKennelClub @GonzagaBulldogs https://t.co/iG5TcXwR0g
— Clark Kellogg (@ClarkKelloggCBS) February 12, 2017
Welcome to the hype train y’all. The route lasts all the way into March and ends on April 3.