Gonzaga—Those Tough Times Ahead

    Potential Bumps in the Road
    Zag Hoops 2008 - 2009    

    Without question the Zags begin the season with more potential than any team in the history of the school.  This team isn’t looking to win the WCC, this team is looking to win it all.  With depth, experience and match-up nightmares at almost every position, this group can beat you a lot of different ways.  It’s fortunate the Zags can put this kind of talent on the floor because the preseason schedule will test this group in every ways possible.   

    It seems like Oklahoma State plays the Zags every year.  We may not have to deal with an Eddie Sutton team this year but we will still encounter a very physical team lead by senior point guard Terrell Harris.  If the Zags have a weakness it is a lack of physicality.  If the Cowboys play a mistake free game, this is going to be a very tough game (in more ways than one) for Gonzaga.

    I don’t want to look ahead too much, but if a tough inside game will give the Zags trouble, you probably need look no farther than Michigan State.  Coach Izzo’s crew are always ready to play and I do hope we get to see super Freshman, Delvon Roe get some minutes against the Zags.  If it happens, should be a great game.

    No one knows what to expect from Washington State.  They lost some of their best players to graduation.  Can Coach Tony Bennett bring the new recruits up to speed before the Gonzaga game?  I’m betting he can’t.  I look for the Cougars to be a much better team as the year progresses.  This will be a good game for Gonzaga to get out of the way early.

    The Battle in Seattle might be one of the best games of the new season.  The Zags got away with win last year in Connecticut’s back yard and now the Huskies will look to repay the favor.  Tickets for this ‘neutral’ site game are going for silly money – and why not!  Lead by the "destroyer of evil”, seven-foot-three Hasheem Thabeet, this U Conn team is the real deal.  Complemented by some great guards (A.J. Price, Craig Austrie, & Jerome Dyson) and able to play some great defense, this Husky team may pose the most fearsome opponent the Zags will see all year.  Gonzaga fast break points and outside shooting should help neutralize that superior U Conn defense.  Six-eleven, Josh Heytvelt can be a world beater when he is healthy, focused and in shape.  He regularly goes against seven-foot-four Will Foster in practice.  This game may well come down to the winner of a fantastic Thabeet - Heytvelt matchup in the middle.  If you don’t see another Zag game all year, watch this one!

    February will find the Zags taking on Memphis at the Spokane Arena.  Like Gonzaga, Memphis is one of those teams that never seems to miss a beat.  The Tigers reloaded with highly touted guard Tyreke Evans, together with bigs Wesley Witherspoon, Angel Garcia, and Matt Simpkins.  The Gonzaga backcourt will need to deliver a quality game if they expect to get by Calipari’s kids this late in the season.  The Memphis pressure defense and athleticism will give the Zags a run for their money!

    I was really happy for Coach Grier and the San Diego fans when they punched their ticket to play in the Big Dance last year.  But seriously, no way, no how should these guys beat the Bulldogs!  The Toreros best player, 6-foot-8 senior forward Gyno Pomare has been suspended indefinitely.  I’m not sure what that’s all about but without Pomare, Coach Greir has his work cut out for him.  Still, as long as Greir is coaching you cannot count these guys out.  Last year Coach Greir sent a couple of players packing at mid season and still managed to win the WCC.  Greir worked as an assistant coach at Gonzaga between 1992 and 2007.  If there is anyone who has Gonzaga’s number it has to be Bill Grier.  Look for superior guard play from San Diego and a team that does all the little things to win.  As I said before, Gonzaga shouldn’t have much trouble with the Torreros, but if they take this team for granted, look out!

    Randy Bennett’s Gaels might be the most under rated team in America.  St. Mary’s has a world class point guard, Patrick Mills, and superior post play provided by Diamon Simpson and Omar Samhan.  Bennett’s starting line up can play with anyone in the country, including the Zags.  If the starting five can stay out of foul trouble, this team will win a lot of games.  Six seniors hold down roster spots.  That kind of continuity in a program will often pay big dividends and this is the year those markers will be called in.  Bulldog fans everywhere hate playing these guys.  On a given night they are certainly capable of pulling off a win.  If the Zags are going to dominate St. Mary’s this year, they will have to play well and do all those little things that add up to a victory.  These two teams know each other well.  Look for a 'Battle Royale' every time they meet.

    With so much individual talent and only five spots on the floor, Coach Few is going to have trouble finding minutes for everyone.  Moving the 3 point line back will be a net benefit for the Zags.  Steven Gray, Micah Downs and Matt Bouldin are legitimate long range bombers.  I will go out on a limb and predict that before the year is out, Steven Gray will make you forget all about Stephen Curry.  

 Look for Pargo to pass more and shoot less this year.  In most situations he will be the #5 option on offense.  Still that #5 option is something most teams would die for.  With Pargo on the floor, Gonzaga opponents will have to pick their poison.

    Austin Day just oozes potential. Not your classic post player, the lanky six-ten Day plays like a taller version of Reggie Miller.  After last year's introduction, I still find it hard to predict how high Day will fly.  This is the kind of player that could score 40 points every night on most teams.  Playing on this Gonzaga team he may not get enough touches to score 20.

    It appears Josh Heytvelt is back.  He looks healthy, in shape and is playing with confidence.  Robert Sacre is nursing a foot injury and may not be available for some time.  This is good news for role players like Ira Brown and Will Foster who should see quite a few minutes in the early going.

    The most challenging opponent the Zags will face this year is themselves.  Can they jell as a team?  I don’t think they did that last year and it cost them more than once.  Things need to be more about us and less about me if this is going to happen.  If the Bulldogs can capture a little of that chemistry that graced Gonzaga 10 years ago, the sky is the limit!    

Mike Clinton