Just rewatched 2010 game verse Zags

[We Are Syracuse]

First things first, we smoked them. SMOKED them. I forgot how good Rautins and Wes were

Anyways: I think this will be a much closer game. They couldn't hit a shot. We made a lot. We were up by about 25 the whole second half. They really looked to attack behind the zone. A lot of teams try to get it back there and then just turn it over because we do well rotating down there. They were fairly effective at getting open looks when throwing it behind the zone. Reason being, Sacre was very physcial and constantly looking to post up the center in the middle. That would open up the back of the zone because our five man was focused on trying to not to get bullied by Sacre. I expect Gonzaga will look to do the same with Sabonis. Then stick Wiltjer or someone behind the zone. Wiltjer shoots too well to be back there so maybe they will find someone else. I didnt realize how quick his shot is. He worries me BIG time. They didnt throw it to the high post much at all. They basically looked for that duck-in to the center posting up and then pick and choose to throw it behind the zone. If they're smart, they utilize Wiltjer in the high post. Sabonis and Wiltjer obviously scare me big time.

They have to make open shots this game when they get them. If I am Few, I am going down low the first 5 possessions of the game so I can try to open some things up on the perimeter. Their guards REALLY struggled against the zone and their guards were exponentially better than they are this year. Steven Gray and Matt Bouldin were basically born to be zone busters and really struggled. I think we will be able to score on them. They arent an amazing team defensively and if Mali, Mike , or TC get hot that will be huge for us.

Bottom line, they have to make shots and have to convert around the hoop. Sabonis will be very active in the middle and will look to seal off Lydon or Coleman. Once he gets it, he will look to score immediately over either shoulder. I am sure they will be practicing that shot all week. Zags are much different than our first two opponents in that they have actual threats down low with size. Those were the teams who gave us trouble. We will have to cheat down and give some help if we do not want to get killed down low. As a result, they will have to make their perimeter shots. If they are making semi-contested shots all night I do not think we win. Like I said previously, I believe we will be able to score. This will be a very tough game and will have a completely different feel than the first two games. Both teams breezed thru their first two rounds and are not feeling any pressure because of our double digit seeding. We will see who gets tight down the stretch because this game will be going down the wire IMO. GO CUSE!!!!!

 

[jdubs30]

Good post -- one thing I want to add -- Sabonis is prone to foul issues. We should attack him early, either with DC or penetrating right into him, sure he might get a block or 2, but 2 early fouls on him would be huge. Maybe once or twice we could draw the elusive offensive foul!! (they never could called in our favor).

If we get Sabonis in foul trouble and to the bench early, we can really focus on the perimeter. Big break that Karnowski is out.

 

[gilardino]

Good post -- one thing I want to add -- Sabonis is prone to foul issues. We should attack him early, either with DC or penetrating right into him, sure he might get a block or 2, but 2 early fouls on him would be huge. Maybe once or twice we could draw the elusive offensive foul!! (they never could called in our favor).

If we get Sabonis in foul trouble and to the bench early, we can really focus on the perimeter. Big break that Karnowski is out.

if karnowski was in the zags would not be a 11 seed

 

[two3zone]

Good post -- one thing I want to add -- Sabonis is prone to foul issues. We should attack him early, either with DC or penetrating right into him, sure he might get a block or 2, but 2 early fouls on him would be huge. Maybe once or twice we could draw the elusive offensive foul!! (they never could called in our favor).

If we get Sabonis in foul trouble and to the bench early, we can really focus on the perimeter. Big break that Karnowski is out.

Sabonis only average 4.1 fouls per 40 minutes and has only fouled out of 3 games all year. One of the games he fouled out quick (beginning of the year) in 18 minutes, the other was an OT game where he played 43 minutes and the last he played 35 minutes. I don't think we play the offense needed to foul out opposing bigs.

Edit: My bad, 4 games, fouled out in the tournament against Seton Hall, but played 35 minutes again.

 

[CorduroyG]

Let sabonis get his. Dont give up open 3s.

 

[Marsh01]

We were 10000 times better when we last played them and personnel wise they were built completely different than they are now as well.

We will have to play our A game to beat this team. I dont think people realize how good this Gonzaga team is. Their seed means nothing. I would have MUCH rather played Utah.

 

[Jeremy L.]

Let sabonis get his. Dont give up open 3s.

Agree. I've been thinking that all this talk reminds me of the Blake Griffin game (obviously not the same player). He's going to get his opportunities and his baskets. He won't beat us by himself. Contain everybody else.

 

[skurey]

We were 10000 times better when we last played them and personnel wise they were built completely different than they are now as well.

We will have to play our A game to beat this team. I dont think people realize how good this Gonzaga team is. Their seed means nothing. I would have MUCH rather played Utah.

Gonzaga is 17 on KenPom and we're 28. Utah 38.

 

[SoBeCuse]

We were 10000 times better when we last played them and personnel wise they were built completely different than they are now as well.

We will have to play our A game to beat this team. I dont think people realize how good this Gonzaga team is. Their seed means nothing. I would have MUCH rather played Utah.

Yeah, Sabonis and Wiltjer are really comfortable operating ANYWHERE on the floor. That's pretty rare for guys that big and tall. Their guards are pretty serviceable and they are a better defensive team than other Gonzaga teams. This is the first time in awhile I'm more worried about our defense than the offense which is unlike me.

 

[TheCusian]

We were 10000 times better when we last played them and personnel wise they were built completely different than they are now as well. We will have to play our A game to beat this team. I dont think people realize how good this Gonzaga team is. Their seed means nothing. I would have MUCH rather played Utah.

I keep reading that. But a week and a half ago they were limping into their conference tourney, just like us.

We might have our hands full with their bigs - but who is stopping G on that team? Can they stay in front of Malachi? How's their 3pt D?

 

[Briancuse]

Agree. I've been thinking that all this talk reminds me of the Blake Griffin game (obviously not the same player). He's going to get his opportunities and his baskets. He won't beat us by himself. Contain everybody else.

Griffin was much more dominant, and Ou had a lot of other good players on their team. He is going to get his, but if we limit the other guys we should be in good shape.

 

[Dave85]

Yeah, Sabonis and Wiltjer are really comfortable operating ANYWHERE on the floor. That's pretty rare for guys that big and tall. Their guards are pretty serviceable and they are a better defensive team than other Gonzaga teams. This is the first time in awhile I'm more worried about our defense than the offense which is unlike me.

The zone will give us double and triple team on these guys on defense. Hopefully that will slow them down.

 

[Marsh01]

I keep reading that. But a week and a half ago they were limping into their conference tourney, just like us. We might have our hands full with their bigs - but who is stopping G on that team? Can they stay in front of Malachi? How's their 3pt D?

They have big physical guards. I much preferred the small utah guards. People also forget that Wiltijer was a top 15 recruit at Kentucky and he and sabonis will be a monumental task for our bigs.

 

[syr14]

I'm not as impressed with Gonzaga as some. They're a team that lost to virtually every good team they played this year. Mopped up on the all the crap teams in their league. They looked good against Utah, but so did everyone else that played a pac 12 team in the tournament.

I just think they're incredibly beatable. Especially considering the way we're playing. I think we'll be ready.

 

[We Are Syracuse]

We were 10000 times better when we last played them and personnel wise they were built completely different than they are now as well.

We will have to play our A game to beat this team. I dont think people realize how good this Gonzaga team is. Their seed means nothing. I would have MUCH rather played Utah.

I agree. This will be a completely different game and I am absolutely expecting this game to go down the wire. Maybe we do just let Sabonis get his and cover the perimeter. What we did the first two games and teams have not been able to convert in that 5-13 foot range at all. All I know is that if Wiltjer is operating in the high post we have to jam and tag him the second he gets the ball. They definitely have the personnel to beat the zone

 

[two3zone]

The zone will give us double and triple team on these guys on defense. Hopefully that will slow them down.

With a solid perimeter team that may not be a good idea, double and triple teams lead to wide open perimeter shots.

 

[jordoo]

My memory of that game was Grey/Bolden struggling badley. Rick in foul trouble in the first. Wes, Andy, Brandon hitting bombs in the first and then Andy just destroying them to start the second half

 

[721Comstock]

I'm not as impressed with Gonzaga as some.
They're a team that lost to virtually every good team they played this year. Mopped up on the all the crap teams in their league.
They looked good against Utah, but so did everyone else that played a pac 12 team in the tournament.

I just think they're incredibly beatable. Especially considering the way we're playing. I think we'll be ready.

THIS.

With the (very notable) exceptions of the Seton Hall and Utah games, the Zags haven't beaten a single good team they've played this entire season. Their best non-NCAA tournamanet win is probably UConn.

They are playing VERY well right now, clearly.
But - so are we.

 

[CorduroyG]

We were 10000 times better when we last played them and personnel wise they were built completely different than they are now as well.

We will have to play our A game to beat this team. I dont think people realize how good this Gonzaga team is. Their seed means nothing. I would have MUCH rather played Utah.

Eghh, theyre playing very well but theyve beaten nobody until the tourny. We are MUCH more battle tested. They have zero depth, questionable guard play, and wiltjer is soft. He can be a zone buster if hes hot but if we get beast mode roberson he can neutralize him. And he stinks on defense.

I expect a tough close game but lets not act like gonzaga is a 2 seed posing as an 11. Both teams are better than their seeds, its probably more like an 8/9 game.