Gonzaga: Bulldogs Lack Dominant Player to have Another Cinderella Run

Gonzaga heads to Raleigh for an early Friday game against Davidson.  Davidson, which is making its third straight tourney appearance, had a remarkable season and is trying to establish itself as a "Gonzaga.”   

Gonzaga is coming into its 10th straight tournament, its first as a seven seed.  Gonzaga received an at large bid after their loss in the West Coast Conference tournament against San Diego.

This matchup was unnecessary by the selection committee in the context that Davidson is playing within 100 miles of their campus. However, Gonzaga travels well, proof being wins in Alaska against Virginia Tech and Western Kentucky followed by an away victory in Philadelphia against St. Joe's and two days later a win against Uconn close to home in Madison Square Garden, all in the time period of two weeks. 

Although close, Davidson is 0-3 this season against Top 50 RPI teams. Davidson tried to schedule difficult matchups to impress the committee in the event of a Southern Conference loss but did not succeed.

Davidson boasts one of the country's top players in Stephen Curry. He is a top scorer and has emerged as a leader of the Wildcats as a sophomore. 

In early-season contests against UNC, Duke, and UCLA, he has kept the Wildcats in the game and has even given them an opportunity to win. Davidson has the luxury of having a go-to player.

Gonzaga does not have that luxury. The Bulldogs are loaded with talent in Jeremy Pargo, Matt Bouldin, Austin Daye, and Josh Heytvelt but have not been able to rely on one of these players in the games against the country’s top programs. 

Towards the end of the season, Heytvelt has shown why he was named to the Wooden Award watch in the preseason. He recovered from a broken ankle and his suspension for possession of mushrooms last season, and is now ready to focus on tournament basketball which he was denied last year. 

If Heytvelt can play to his potential, the Zags will be able to make a run in the tournament.

Gonzaga and Davidson are two of the nation’s premier programs outside of the BCS conferences. Davidson just recently obtained this label, and that will hurt them in this matchup. 

The Zags have too much experience in David Pendergraft, Pargo, and Heytvelt and have three blooming underclassmen in Matt Bouldin, Austin Daye, and Steven Gray. This talent and depth will overmatch Curry and the Wildcats and will send the Bulldogs into the second round against Georgetown.

The Zags fun will end against the Hoyas, however. The Bulldogs matchup in talent fairly even off the bench, but when the game comes down to size and strength, Gonzaga just doesn’t have enough big men. 

Heytvelt may be able to deal with Hibbert, especially on the defensive end because of his athleticism, but he won't be able to take over the game in the paint and Gonzaga will not be able to score enough to beat Georgetown. 

However, if you’re feeling bold and looking for an upset team, the Zags could be your team.