I really cannot find one "goat" on the Gonzaga squad to blame for last night's defeat in the WCC Tournament final. Just as this years wins have been a group effort, the losses, including last nights 69-62 heart breaker, can also be attributed to the team.
USD just outworked, out-hustled and played with more heart than my beloved Zags. They out-rebounded us 38-25 and seemed to constantly be a step ahead on both ends of the floor.
Perhaps, as some of have said, the Toreros were desperate, knowing that a loss likely would have ended their season. And yes, it is hard to beat a decent opponent three times in a row, especially when the third game is on their home floor.
With the domination the Zags have displayed over the past decade, it is obvious that they have become the prime motivator for everyone's "kamikaze" attack. But despite these excuses this Gonzaga team has seemed to lack consistent effort many games, even in several wins.
While the scoring has been a team effort, with good production from a deep and skilled bench, no individual has provedto be a conduit through which the offense moves against top opposition. No single player has seemed to bring his "A" game for an entire 40 minutes.
The most consistent hustler has been senior David Pendergraft, but he is limited by his size & athleticism and last night even he had moments of indecision. If Gonzaga aspires to be anything more than just a perennial NCAA Tournament participant, the players are going to have to realize that there can be no "off nights."
The Zags need to understand every opponent is dangerous and that there will be games where they just do not hit shots they usually do. In those games the Zags must have their effort and heart pull them through.
This Zag team has the talent to win at least two games in the Big Dance, if the heart and effort keeps pace with the talent.
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