Really quick thoughts

[LAOrange]

The more I read, the better I feel about our chances. The times we've been killed on the inside: Pitt, North Carolina, Louisville the other team had three options: a skilled big man, decent perimeter play and a high post "playmaker." I don't think Gonzaga has all three pieces. The thing about North Carolina (and the reason I don't want to play them again) is that Brice Johnson (as third option) is unstoppable in our zone. It's the third option that kills us and unless McClellan brings his A game, I don't think they can spread us enough.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

They pretty much never play a high and low post offense. Sabonis is a great player, very physical.

You see my shot chart on Wiltjer? You were dead on. Wiltjer never plays in the high post.

They've seen plenty of zone

How have they attacked the zones they've played against? How do you think they will attack ours?

 

[kirbivore]

The more I read, the better I feel about our chances. The times we've been killed on the inside: Pitt, North Carolina, Louisville the other team had three options: a skilled big man, decent perimeter play and a high post "playmaker." I don't think Gonzaga has all three pieces. The thing about North Carolina (and the reason I don't want to play them again) is that Brice Johnson (as third option) is unstoppable in our zone. It's the third option that kills us and unless McClellan brings his A game, I don't think they can spread us enough.

I'll be walking on so much sunshine if SU gets to the Final Four and has to play UNC that I won't care about bad matchups

 

[HoustonCuse]

From that shot chart it looks like he must shoot close to 47% from 3?? Good lord. Also note he's deadly from the corner and the corner is a traditional weak spot when we need to cover credible bigs underneath. Combine that with it being Roberson and Richardson who will be covering that spot most of the night and I see a little trouble there.

That shot chart makes it even more important that Coleman can stay on the floor so Lydon can play the wing more. It is tough to picture Lydon being able to do much to slow down Sabonis to be honest. No way he has 6 blocks again that's for sure.

 

[JoeySimz]

From that shot chart it looks like he must shoot close to 47% from 3?? Good lord. Also note he's deadly from the corner and the corner is a traditional weak spot when we need to cover credible bigs underneath. Combine that with it being Roberson and Richardson who will be covering that spot most of the night and I see a little trouble there.

That shot chart makes it even more important that Coleman can stay on the floor so Lydon can play the wing more. It is tough to picture Lydon being able to do much to slow down Sabonis to be honest. No way he has 6 blocks again that's for sure.

Good lord is right. The big lineup should def get more run in this game considering the matchup but also because it has been so effective lately.

 

[TheCusian]

From that shot chart it looks like he must shoot close to 47% from 3?? Good lord. Also note he's deadly from the corner and the corner is a traditional weak spot when we need to cover credible bigs underneath. Combine that with it being Roberson and Richardson who will be covering that spot most of the night and I see a little trouble there. That shot chart makes it even more important that Coleman can stay on the floor so Lydon can play the wing more. It is tough to picture Lydon being able to do much to slow down Sabonis to be honest. No way he has 6 blocks again that's for sure.

Disagree. The defender who could be exposed will be Coleman. I think he won't play much at all. I'm not sure he can handle Sabonis and his footwork. Think we go "small" and defend with quickness and athleticism.

 

[RF2044]

Disagree. The defender who could be exposed will be Coleman. I think he won't play much at all. I'm not sure he can handle Sabonis and his footwork. Think we go "small" and defend with quickness and athleticism.

Agreed--I bet we'll see a lot of small ball, with Lydon / Roberson playing lengthy stretches. ESPECIALLY if we can rebound effectively with that crew. Force them to match up, which they won't be able to do.

 

[HoustonCuse]

Wiltjer is definitely not a high post guy. So, do they try to turn him into one or do they flash someone else?

View attachment 58369

Hey wait a second. The Washington Post has this shot chart for Wiltjer. It looks a lot more palatable than the one you posted Forza. But what gives, how are they different? They are sourced from the same place??

 

[asj410]

Hey wait a second. The Washington Post has this shot chart for Wiltjer. It looks a lot more palatable than the one you posted Forza. But what gives, how are they different? They are sourced from the same place??

Damn. Wiltjer can't hit squat from the entire right half of the arc.

 

[Orangemen]

Damn. Wiltjer can't hit squat from the entire right half of the arc.

I guess we know which side of the zone Roberson will be playing.

I'll preface this by saying I think this game could go either way. That being said, I feel good about our chances. I think us being a 5 pt dog doesn't make sense. We've had our ups and downs, just like they have, but our downs were against sweet 16 teams, their downs were against NIT teams. That means something to me.

This gonzaga team couldn't even make the final of the Atlantis tourney when they had all their guys, now suddenly without a 7 foot bruiser I'm supposed to believe they are somehow a better team? I don't see it.

Wiltjer is a player, but giddy Potts was a pretty good shooter too, our defense handled him. I feel like boeheim can defend a guy who can only hit 3s from 1 side of the court.

I think we win, I think it won't be by 20 like the last couple rounds, and I won't be shocked if we lose. But 11 seed gonzaga blowing us off the court? It could happen, but I'll be surprised.

 

[HoustonCuse]

I guess we know which side of the zone Roberson will be playing.

I'll preface this by saying I think this game could go either way. That being said, I feel good about our chances. I think us being a 5 pt dog doesn't make sense. We've had our ups and downs, just like they have, but our downs were against sweet 16 teams, their downs were against NIT teams. That means something to me.

This gonzaga team couldn't even make the final of the Atlantis tourney when they had all their guys, now suddenly without a 7 foot bruiser I'm supposed to believe they are somehow a better team? I don't see it.

Wiltjer is a player, but giddy Potts was a pretty good shooter too, our defense handled him. I feel like boeheim can defend a guy who can only hit 3s from 1 side of the court.

I think we win, I think it won't be by 20 like the last couple rounds, and I won't be shocked if we lose. But 11 seed gonzaga blowing us off the court? It could happen, but I'll be surprised.

Teams change and evolve. The Zags fanbase believes their guard play has improved throughout the year and has gone from liability to strength over the past 8 or 9 games from what I gather on their board. Totally fair for them to have that opinion. I don't know if it is correct or not, but it is fair. And of course, it could be pointed out that even if our lows were against Sweet 16 teams, isn't that exactly what we are facing on Friday?

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Hey wait a second. The Washington Post has this shot chart for Wiltjer. It looks a lot more palatable than the one you posted Forza. But what gives, how are they different? They are sourced from the same place??

I have absolutely no idea...I did a google search on Wiltjer shot chart and what I posted is what came up...maybe different time periods?

 

[Dave85]

I have absolutely no idea...I did a google search on Wiltjer shot chart and what I posted is what came up...maybe different time periods?

That's actually a picture of his colonoscopy.