Looking back at our 2010 Gonzaga game, Harris and Sacre put up 41 points, and they still got smoked.
Obviously, we are not that team, but defensively, we are very good. In 2010, defensively we were 20th. Right now, we are 21st. Gonzaga is better offensively, 39th in 2010 and 23rd right now. I think this will be a closer game, but I think our D will be the difference.
The big guys will get their points, I have no doubt about that. We're not stopping Sabonis, but Sabonis won't be putting up 50 either. Where I think our defense will pay off is against the guards. I was shocked at the cockiness of that freshman guard on Gonzaga. I don't know if he was just off script (probably) or if Few didn't make a huge deal about the zone in practice (unlikely), but that kid is in for a surprise tonight. I think these guys are gonna get lost at the top of the zone and do a lot of east west passing. I also am a little less concerned about Wiltjers ability to light us up from 3 after seeing his shot chart. He's a bad shooter from one side of the court based on that chart. That seems like kind of a big deal. That means Roberson's weak 3 pt defense can't be exploited nearly as much as a well rounded 3 pt shooter could exploit it.
On our offensive side of the ball, the teams that scare me are the pressure defense teams, from what I've read, Gonzaga doesn't sound like that sort of team. If Richardson can driver and create foul trouble for Sabonis, Gonzaga will be in real trouble. G will have a height advantage on every defender. Lydon's confidence should be sky high after playing a big offensive role last sunday, and coming through with ease.
I expect a good game, and a close game, but I think we come through again.
Obviously, we are not that team, but defensively, we are very good. In 2010, defensively we were 20th. Right now, we are 21st. Gonzaga is better offensively, 39th in 2010 and 23rd right now. I think this will be a closer game, but I think our D will be the difference.
The big guys will get their points, I have no doubt about that. We're not stopping Sabonis, but Sabonis won't be putting up 50 either. Where I think our defense will pay off is against the guards. I was shocked at the cockiness of that freshman guard on Gonzaga. I don't know if he was just off script (probably) or if Few didn't make a huge deal about the zone in practice (unlikely), but that kid is in for a surprise tonight. I think these guys are gonna get lost at the top of the zone and do a lot of east west passing. I also am a little less concerned about Wiltjers ability to light us up from 3 after seeing his shot chart. He's a bad shooter from one side of the court based on that chart. That seems like kind of a big deal. That means Roberson's weak 3 pt defense can't be exploited nearly as much as a well rounded 3 pt shooter could exploit it.
On our offensive side of the ball, the teams that scare me are the pressure defense teams, from what I've read, Gonzaga doesn't sound like that sort of team. If Richardson can driver and create foul trouble for Sabonis, Gonzaga will be in real trouble. G will have a height advantage on every defender. Lydon's confidence should be sky high after playing a big offensive role last sunday, and coming through with ease.
I expect a good game, and a close game, but I think we come through again.
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The zone should diminish some of the match up problems that were mercilessly exploited against Utah to open up an early lead. The large amount of caffeine could have me less rational, and the cold beer isnt going to help with staying rational either, but I suppose the nice part is not having to care, right?
