February 28, 2009

Scouting Report: San Diego Part II



W-L: 15-14
RPI: 158
SOS: 100
Best Wins:
(83) Mississippi St. W, 64-61
(97) Nevada W, 65-51

Current Rankings:
N/A

Team Leaders:
Points: Gyno Pomare 14.1
Assists: Trumaine Johnson 2.7
Rebounds: Gyno Pomare 6.1

Best Player:

Gyno Pomare C 6-8 240 SR
Pomare is a short Center, but he knows how to play big. He is very experienced and will give Josh Heytvelt trouble on the defensive end.

My Take:
Another game, another win. The Zags will go perfect in WCC play and they will show they are the class of the conference for the 12th straight year.

Final Score: Gonzaga 75 San Diego 50

February 27, 2009

Recap: Gonzaga @ Santa Clara



Final Score:Gonzaga 81 Santa Clara 73

Box Score Snapshot
Scorer: Josh Heytvelt 29 Points
Rebounder: Josh Heytvelt 9 Boards
Passer: Jeremy Pargo 5 Assists
Swatter: Josh Heytvelt 2 Blocks
Theif: Matt Bouldin 2 Steals

Game MVP:Josh Heytvelt
Heytvelt had a second straight career high of 29 Points with 9 Boards and 2 Blocks.

Team Comparison: Zags/Broncos
Points: 81/73
Assist to /Turnover Ratio: 1.2/1.6
Rebounds: 31/28
Shooting Percentage: 53%/47%
3pt Percentage: 39%/24%

Notes from the sideline:
-Josh Heytvelt is playing with a chip on his shoulder, averaging 28.5 ppg over the last 2 games...2 straight career highs...just nuts...
-Matt Bouldin made a case that he will be the leading scorer next year with 23 points 3 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals

What it means for the future (Analysis):
Santa Clara gave us headaches all night. They looked like they would be a solid team going forward. I expect this to be a nice rivalry for the next few years...

February 23, 2009

Scouting Report: Santa Clara Part II



W-L: 14-15
RPI: 135
SOS: 153
Best Wins:
(54) St. Mary's W, 70-52
(80) UTEP W, 89-88

Current Rankings:
N/A

Team Leaders:
Points: John Bryant 18.0
Assists: Perry Petty 3.1
Rebounds: John Bryant 13.9

Best Player:

John Bryant C 6-10 305 SR
The Beast of the WCC, Bryant is playing leaner than ever before and because of it he has been able to take his game to another level. Probably the top big man in the WCC outside Josh Heytvelt.

My Take:
I fully expect the Zags to beat Santa Clara. The Broncos are not pushovers, but they are not on the level of Saint Mary's whom we beat twice.

Final Score: Gonzaga 85 Santa Clara 67

February 22, 2009

Recap: Pepperdine @ Gonzaga



Final Score:Gonzaga 92 Pepperdine 58

Box Score Snapshot
Scorer: Josh Heytvelt 28 Points
Rebounder: Josh Heytvelt 11 Boards
Passer: Matt Bouldin 4 Assists
Swatter: Austin Daye 3 Blocks
Theif: Matt Bouldin 3 Steals

Game MVP:Josh Heytvelt
Heytvelt came in with a Career High 28 points and 11 Boards.

Team Comparison: Zags/Waves
Points: 92/58
Assist to /Turnover Ratio: 2.5/0.52
Rebounds: 35/34
Shooting Percentage: 57%/34%
3pt Percentage: 25%/32%

Notes from the sideline:
-Josh Heytvelt looked like a dominant force again...
-The Zags were a mere 5-20 from the three point point line...yuck
-A night after scoring a season high 23 points, Steven Gray was nowhere to be seen, mustering only 3.
-Matt Bouldin continued his solid play with 16 Points, 6 Boards, 4 Assists, 3 Steals, and a block...nice stat sheet...

What it means for the future (Analysis):
Again, it means that we are stuck with another blackhole in our schedule sucking the life out of all the meaningful games we played this season...

February 21, 2009

Scouting Report: Pepperdine Part II



W-L: 8-19
RPI: 297
SOS: 88
Best Wins:
(135) Santa Clara W, 66-60
(156) San Diego W, 57-52

Current Rankings:
N/A

Team Leaders:
Points: Keion Bell 12.6
Assists: Keion Bell 2.2
Rebounds: Taylor Darby 6.3

Best Player:

Keion Bell SG 6-3 180 FR
Bell leads a very, very, very young Waves squad as a true freshman. He is averaging 12.6 PPG, 4.7 rpg, 1.5 SPG.

My Take:
This marks the second straight game with a RPI killer. Pepperdine features enough talent to hang with most Middle School squads. I am not expecting a win, im expecting a blowout.

Final Score: Gonzaga 92 Pepperdine 57

Recap: Gonzaga vs. Loyola Marymount



Final Score:Gonzaga 91 Loyola Marymount 54

Box Score Snapshot
Scorer: Steven Gray 23 Points
Rebounder: Austin Daye 7 Boards
Passer: Jeremy Pargo 6 Assists
Swatter: Ira Brown 2 Blocks
Theif: Ira Brown 2 Steals

Game MVP:Steven Gray
Gray torched LMU with 23 points on 5 threes and 6 Boards.

Team Comparison: Zags/Lions
Points: 91/54
Assist to /Turnover Ratio: 1.13/0.50
Rebounds: 39/26
Shooting Percentage: 51%/32%
3pt Percentage: 52%/29%

Notes from the sideline:
Game not Televised

What it means for the future (Analysis):
It Means almost nothing, this game was against a bottom 50 opponent, and if anything this hurts the Zags RPI.

February 15, 2009

Scouting Report: Loyola Marymount Part II



W-L: 2-24
RPI: 333
SOS: 96
Best Wins:
(179) San Diego W, 65-57

Current Rankings:
N/A

Team Leaders:
Points: Vernon Teel 16.2
Assists: Jarred DuBois 2.9
Rebounds: Kevin Young 7.2

Best Player:

Vernon Teel SG 6-4 190 SO
One of the best players to ever come to Loyola Marymount, Teel is the all around leader of this team. He is averaging 16.2 points, 6.5 boards and 2.8 assists per game. Hes only played roughly half the season due to injury.

My Take:
Well i guess i was wrong about the San Francisco game, but this one im sure about. Gonzaga will dominate LMU at all aspects of the game.

Final Score: Gonzaga 87 Loyola Marymount 53

Recap: Gonzaga @ San Francisco



Final Score:Gonzaga 78 San Francisco 73

Box Score Snapshot
Scorer: Austin Daye 17 Points
Rebounder: Austin Daye 9 Boards
Passer: Matt Bouldin 4 Assists
Swatter: Austin Daye 1 Blocks
Theif: Austin Daye 1 Steals

Game MVP:Austin Daye
17 Points, 9 Boards, 1 Block and Steal...
He filled the stat sheet up, nice all around game, also shot 5-8 from the field.


Team Comparison: Zags/Dons
Points: 78/73
Assist to /Turnover Ratio: 0.69/1.67
Rebounds: 35/24
Shooting Percentage: 60%/40%
3pt Percentage: 53%/64%

Notes from the sideline:
-Turnovers and threes were the keys to the Dons hanging in this game.
-Josh Heytvelt was pretty good, despite the stats(10 points, 5 boards)
-Jeremy Pargo looks like hes become a freshman again, he cant put the mustard on his passes and at times just plain disappears.
-Matt Bouldin continued to be the backbone of this team.(11 points, 4 boards, 4 assists)

What it means for the future (Analysis):
The Zags were not horrible, however the 16 turnovers were. The Dons shot a scorching hot 64% from three and that really was the story of the game. Dior Lowhorn and Blake Wallace were a combined 9-10 from the perimeter. I expect this to be a lesson for the Zags perimeter that defense is the key to going far this year. Without better defense, this team is subject to another early season exit from the Tourney.

February 14, 2009

Scouting Report: San Francisco Part II



W-L: 9-16
RPI: 234
SOS: 64
Best Wins:
(141) Boise St. W, 79-76
(156) Long Beach St. W, 78-74

Current Rankings:
N/A

Team Leaders:
Points: Dior Lowhorn 20.3
Assists: Dontae Bryant 3.0
Rebounds: Dior Lowhorn 6.7

Best Player:

Dior Lowhorn PF 6-7 230 JR
Lowhorn is probably one of the top 2 or 3 most gifted players in the WCC. He is the definite leader of this team and the knight in shining armor when they come out to play...

My Take:
I expect this game to be a blowout. The Dons have just suspended 4 Players and are coming off a 3 game losing streak. The Zags should have their eyes wide open after the Saint Mary's debaucle. I expect Mark Few to have the Zags firing on all cylinders.

Final Score: Gonzaga 96 San Francisco 47

Recap: Gonzaga @ Saint Mary's



Final Score:Gonzaga 72 Saint Mary's 70

Box Score Snapshot
Scorer: Matt Bouldin 21 Points
Rebounder: Josh Heytvelt 10 Boards
Passer: Jeremy Pargo 6 Assists
Swatter: Will Foster 2 Blocks
Theif: Matt Bouldin 3 Steals

Game MVP:Josh Heytvelt
20 Points, 10 Boards, 1 Block, Steal, and Assist...
Very, Very Good game from Heytvelt...5 for 5 from the field...and a Double Double


Team Comparison: Zags/Gaels
Points: 72/70
Assist to /Turnover Ratio: 0.83/0.59
Rebounds: 30/43
Shooting Percentage: 44%/40%
3pt Percentage: 55%/44%

Notes from the sideline:
- The Zags came out pretty sloppy on Defense and it led to a lot of easy shots for the Gaels...
- Josh Heytvelt and Matt Bouldin led the charge and virtually won the game for the Zags...
- Steven Gray and Jeremy Pargo continued to look lost and lazy at times...

What it means for the future (Analysis):
It means the Zags are still perfect in the WCC. It also means that the Zags are playing like chumps. Seriously, this is no final four contender. They will be hard pressed to get out of the first round depending on their seeding and draw.

February 11, 2009

Scouting Report: Saint Mary's Part II



W-L: 19-4
RPI: 57
SOS: 94
Best Wins:
(28) San Diego St. W, 67-64
(72) Providence W, 81-75
(102) Pacific W, 74-65
(110) Kent St. W, 75-69

Current Rankings:
N/A

Team Leaders:
Points: Patrick Mills 18.7
Assists: Patrick Mills 3.9
Rebounds: Diamon Simpson 10.6

Best Player:

Diamon Simpson PF 6-7 240 SR
Simpson is the man now that Patty is down and out...He is shooting 49% from the field and grabbing 13.4 points and 10.6 boards per game...

My Take:
This one is in Moraga...Enough Said...I expect the Zags to come out on top, however the going will definitely be tough...

Final Score: Gonzaga 75 Saint Mary's 69

February 8, 2009

Recap: Memphis @ Gonzaga



Final Score:Memphis 68 Gonzaga 50

Box Score Snapshot
Scorer: Micah Downs 13 Points
Rebounder: Josh Heytvelt 6 Boards
Passer: Jeremy Pargo 4 Assists
Swatter: Austin Daye 3 Blocks
Theif: Steven Gray 2 Steals

Game MVP:Demetri Goodson
4 Points, 2 Assists, and 1 Board
He only played 12 Minutes, but honestly without him on the court the Zags would have lost by 40. Thats how much better they played with Goodson. He attacked the rim, he played tenacious defense and he got the rest of the team fired up...I thought that pargos job, oh well...


Team Comparison: Zags/Tigers
Points: 50/68
Assist to /Turnover Ratio: 0.53/0.69
Rebounds: 21/37
Shooting Percentage: 37%/44%
3pt Percentage: 27%/35%

Notes from the sideline:
-The Tigers dominated in every sense of the word
-Demetri Goodson showed why he is the point guard of the future. He was simply awesome for the last 8 minutes of the second half.
-Josh Heytvelt had a few moments where he looked like his old self.
-Micah Downs stepped up and hit a few big threes

What it means for the future (Analysis):
We got plastered. When this season started i thought we were Final Four material, now, not even first or second round material. Memphis had their way and pummeled the Zags every step of the Way.

February 6, 2009

Scouting Report: Memphis



W-L: 19-3
RPI: 5
SOS: 46
Best Wins:
(35) UAB W, 81-68
(40) Tennessee W, 54-52
(49) Houston W, 83-68
(51) Tulsa W, 55-54
(64) Cincinnati W, 60-45

Current Rankings:
AP: 15
Coaches: 15
RPI: 5

Team Leaders:
Points: Tyreke Evans 17.0
Assists: Antonio Anderson 4.3
Rebounds: Shawn Taggart 7.1

Best Player:

Tyreke Evans SG 6-6 219 FR
Evans is probably one of the top 2 or 3 freshman in the country. Hes averaging a nice 17.0 PPG 5.4 RPG 3.8 APG, not to mention hes shooting 45% from the field and 71% from the line(a memphis oddity)

My Take:
John Calipari will have his team firing on all cylinders. Its time that the Zags took another game in this series. I expect the Tigers to give the Zags fits on the offensive end, but in when all is said and done the Zags will prevail.

Final Score: Gonzaga 71 Memphis 65

Recap: Gonzaga @ Portland



Final Score:Gonzaga 93 Portland 78

Box Score Snapshot
Scorer: Matt Bouldin 26 Points
Rebounder: Austin Daye 12 Boards
Passer: Matt Bouldin 8 Assists
Swatter: Austin Daye 3 Blocks
Theif: Matt Bouldin 3 Steals

Game MVP:Matt Bouldin
26 Points, 8 Assists, and 3 Steals
Bouldin was simply amazing. He facilitated the offense and took over when he needed to. He was almost perfect shooting 75% from three and 73% from the floor.


Team Comparison: Zags/Pilots
Points: 93/78
assist to turnover ratio: 0.62/0.69
Rebounds: 39/22
Shooting Percentage: 53%/43%
3pt Percentage: 50%/42%

Notes from the sideline:
-As sloppy as the last game was, this was every bit more organized.
-Matt Bouldin was a genius, he looked like the player we have been sorely missing.

What it means for the future (Analysis):
This was the game we needed. Talk about a turnaround. The Zags took every shot Portland had to give and still came out with a 15 point win. Hopefully this energy can be strung together against memphis as well. Its time a beat the Tigers.

February 3, 2009

Scouting Report: Portland Part II



W-L: 15-7
RPI: 103
SOS: 135
Best Wins:
(14) Washington W, 80-74
(41) St. Mary's W, 84-66
(107) Nevada W, 63-61

Current Rankings:
N/A

Team Leaders:
Points: Nik Raivio 16.5
Assists: T.J. Campbell 4.9
Rebounds: Nik Raivio 6.7

Best Player:

Nik Raivio PG 6-4 200 JR
Dereks little brother has matured quite nicely this season, definitely the team leader and quite possibly the best rebounding guard ive seen this season. He also shoots a nice 45% from the field.

My Take:
The Pilots are growing up and making huge strides with every passing game. This team is already leaps and bounds more confident than the same pilots team that came to spokane a few weeks ago. Nik Raivio has been leading this team to new heights with big wins over UW and St. Mary's so far this year. I expect home court advantage to help level the playing field with the Zags, although in the end the Zags are a far more talented ball club.

Final Score: Gonzaga 77 Portland 65