Which Zag team was the BEST of all time?
After returning from a relaxing condo vacation on top of Mt.
Sweitzer I was feeling a wee bit benevolent. As such, it put me in the mood to
throw up another prize giveaway contest.
The prize will be: a brand new with tags, X-tra Large Men’s
Gonzaga Hoodie {see pic}. It will be shipped to the winner free of charge. Editor's note: There will now be 3 prizes given away. 3 winners. Second prize will be a Zag T-shirt (Large). Third prize will be a pair of Zag socks. All prizes are brand new with tags. Keep em for yourself, maybe give em away as gifts.
How to win: Sign up, so you can comment on Zagaholic.
It is simple to do. Most of you have signed up on GU boards, or TSSFs, so we
know you can do it. Everybody is invited to tell us in comments which Gonzaga
Men’s basketball team was the best of all time. There are no right or wrong
answers. I happen to have a couple that are my personal favorites, but this is
your forum. Let us know why your choice should be considered the best Zag team
of all time. Please try to limit your comments to a paragraph or two. Convince
Josh and I why your choice should be #1. The winner will be based primarily on
how persuasive your argument is.
This contest will run for 7 days. At that time we will
announce the winner. You’ll have 5 days from the end of the contest to respond
with your mailing address. No response will forfeit prize to our second place
selection. Good luck to everyone. If you do not win this time, no
worries... there will be many more future contests. GO ZAGS!!~
19 comments:
A lot of folks will lean toward the '99 or '00 teams, as they were the definition of team and started at all...or AMMO's run against Redick that ended in shock and tears on the floor at the feet of the UCLA Bruins...or the '09 team that ran into the buzz-saw that was North Carolina; but I can't go with them. They didn't meet all my criteria...
My favorite team would have to be the '03 team. Here's why:
1. Reload, not Rebuild - 29-4, led by media darling Dan Dickau...GONE. Replaced by a couple of grind it out Juniors in Blake Stepp and Cory Violette, and an up and coming Sophomore Ronny Turiaf, this team still managed a 24-9 record and improve their SOS from 174 to 115. This started the movement to play anybody...anywhere...any time of the year (not just in the tourney). Not just in the tourney.
2. Under Pressure - For the first time, Gonzaga was coming off a 29 win season; and for the first time since their first time dancing they were One and Done. This would be enough pressure. Add in the fact that they also were given a very controversial 6 seed and that they would have to replace Dickau; this seemed impossible. But they went and succeeded anyway to keep the run going.
3. Team Ball - Stepp, Violette, Turiaf, Bankhead, Brooks, Skinner, Gourde, Fox...all key contributors on the deepest bench GU had ever sported to this point. Together, they kept their scoring/rebounding/defense close to their prior year ('02 - 81.1/41.6/66.8; '03 - 77.5/37.4/69.7).
4. Individual Stats - I have plenty...but that isn't what this was about.
5. Epic Ending - There are few moments I'll never forget (stated a couple at the start)...but this was a game of moments I'll never forget. Arizona vs. GU. Olsen vs. Few. Back and forth, back and forth the game went, one clutch bucket after another. Tony Skinner dropping 25 clutch points in 50 minutes of play out of nowhere. Struggle by Violette (2 for 9) and Gourde (0-1 in 13 min) overcome by Fox (13 pts.) and Turiaf (16 pts.), only to have Turiaf foul out...25 dropped on an off night (4 for 15 threes) by Stepp. Yet still this team stepped up at the end, finding a way to push the game to 2 OT's and one heart breaking missed floater by Stepp in response to an unbelievable prayer made by Luke Walton on the previous play. This was a game with no losers, only warriors that had to finish with one moving on and one going home. I'll never forget it.
This game showed what a team is. It showed stepping up, answering the bell no matter how many times they were knocked down. It gave a true picture of what this year was for Gonzaga and what kind of answer they HAD to have to remain a contender. No matter the pressure, the names to replace, this team found a way to get it done like no other; and that kept the streak we know and love alive and well.
Sorry, a little over two paragraphs...but I was the first to comment so I think that makes it okay for me!! HAHA
I'll keep mine brief. SHORT AND SWEET.
2003-2004, no doubt!! 3 losses.
If this argument wasn't about the TEAM, I would probably have gone 05-06, but in 2003-2004, that TEAM was incredible. They had FOUR players averaging double figures (which is one of the key ingredients to having a winning team!).
And look at this.....NATIONALLY....7th most wins for the season, 3rd in winning %, 2nd in the nation in FG%, 10th in 3 point FG %, FIRST in the nation in point per possession, SECOND in defensive rebounds per game, and 5th in the nation for assists per game!
THAT...IS...AMAZING. Some of the most important stats in the game of basketball, and that team was in the top 10 in the country in almost every one of them. They averaged more points per game than ANY other zags team in at least the last decade.
That's my vote!! Gozagswoohoo
Got to be Turiaf. No one comes near him in terms of enthusiasm and Zag spirit.
Sorry- Thought younsaid best player. Best team was Morrison et al when they came almost beat UCLA. Calvery and crew were good but lucky. morrison's team was flat out good.
I liked that team too, I just had a hard time picking a team that lost to a 10 seed as a 2 seed in the Second Round of the Tourney...that kind of killed them for me. Loved the lineup though!
the 03-04 team, that is...
I know what you mean Truff (about not pickin them bec/ they lost to Nevada), but Nevada didn't play like that all freakin season. They shot almost 50% from three, and like 46% from the field too, I believe. They also had 11 more FT attempts than us.
PS- I totally just looked all those stats up, so, not trying to act like I already knew them or anything. Haha
I get that people won't pick the 03-04 team because of the NCAA tournament but I feel this should be judged(like NCAA seeding) based on the whole season's worth of results. That 03-04 team was ridiculously efficient with Blake/Cory/Ronny on offense. Per Statsheet.com they ranked 7th in PPG, 5th in APG, 19th in RPG and 2nd in FG% nationwide(!!!!). Even defense was solid (PPG- 103rd, APG- 134th, RPG- 41st, FG% 3rd!). On top of all this they finished with the #14 RPI and their only 2 losses heading into the NCAAs were to the last 2 undefeated teams in the country(Stanford/St Joe's). These guys were GOOD.
Sure they lost to a 10 seed in the 2nd round, and it was infuriating. However do you remember how we would roll when Ronny was allowed to play for a 2 minute stretch without a phantom foul called on him? They had no answer! That team was capable of so much more than what they achieved but they shouldn't be judged on a single game.
You guys are pretty convincing. I may have to expand this contest to THREE prizes.
Perhaps the second and third place winners will recieve a Zag T-shirt or socks or something....DONE.
There will now be three winners. We need some more contestants, please.
To bad Josh or I can't enter to win, this is some niiice Zag stuff...all brand new with tags.
GO ZAGS!!~
Gaz you are a generous man ;)
Yeah it's tough to gauge how big the tourney performance comes in to play. For me, I have a tough time going with a best team if they didn't finish strong when it mattered most; but I totally see your points. That regular season was absolutely ridiculous. Bringing back some great Zag memories!!
Side Note - Go Heat so Ronny can get a ring!!!!
Thanks Gaz - you are very generous :)
Well, I just wrote a really long answer...and when I went to publish, it said "not found"...so I'm kinda cranky...but I will try again:
This is a tough question to answer, because it all comes down to subjectivity. What makes a team the "best" ever? Is best defined by most successful post season - if so, then the 1998/1999 team would lay claim to that as they went to the Elite 8 and launched Gonzaga into national prominence for the first time. Or is best determined by most talent? In which case, I would say this would be the 2007/2008 team with a list of the most highly touted recruits in Gonzaga history - Daye, Pargo, Heytvelt, Downs, Gray, Sacre, and Bouldin. Or, should you look at the definition of a team - a group of individuals coming together to achieve a common goal or purpose? That is the term I will use to define the "best" team over the years - the 2009/2010 Gonzaga Bulldogs.
This Gonzaga team was not expected to be great, in fact many were not expecting much success at all. This team had experienced huge losses in talent - Pargo, Heytvelt, Downs, and Daye were all gone. We had three key returners - Bouldin, Gray, and Goodson (who will forever be remembered for his mad WKU dash the year before). We had several newcomers and unknown commodities: Kong, Arop, Dower, Harris (thank goodness!) Kelly, Stockton, GJ, and a few redshirts. This team was thrown into a shark pool in terms of non-conference schedule, as they faced the likes of Michigan State, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, WSU, Wake Forest, Davidson, Duke, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Memphis. Yet, they persevered. They shocked the nation in a close 4-point loss to Michigan State in the second game of the season. They won the Maui Invitational on the backs of Steven Gray and Matt Bouldin, and suddenly this "rebuilding" team sparked hope. Did they achieve greatness in the post season? No, they lost by 22 to Syracuse in the Round of 32. But they did achieve more than anyone would have thought, they overcame adversity to once again propel the Zags into the NCAA tournament, and past a tough Florida State team in the Round of 64. Success is defined by the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. To me, this 2009/2010 team achieved success by going farther than many would have predicted. They came together AS A TEAM to overcome a lack of talent, and a tough schedule to continue the storied success of the Gonzaga Basketball Program, and that makes this team GREAT.
Please stop bein so grumpy Brianna! It looks like you will be winning a prize, lol.
Nice write up and very persuasive too. I didn't expect people to work this hard....but you are teaching me a lot! Way to go.
My answer has to be the 1998-1999 team, but it isn't why you think. Did i love the run? Of course who wouldn't?! Did i love the tip in...Of course! But when we talk great teams we are talking about the people. There are certain people that are fan favorites, Turiaf, Pendo, Sacre...but this one surpasses them all "Q".
Before I get to Q lets look at a couple extra facts:
-Gonzaga University president Rev. Robert Spitzer said that the (98-99) team's success was responsible for the school receiving the $23 million required to build the McCarthey Athletic Center, most of which was received through major gifts.
-They played 7 teams in the AP top 25, a feat only matched once since then.
But what made the team was the players. Quentin Hall was only 5'8, a juco transfer from NIC and wasn't afraid of taking any challenges (whether it was the opposing team of even opposing crowds). He was loved enough that the current Zag Logo is named "Q" after him.
Captain Matt Santangelo in his junior year led the 1998-1999 team to the brink of a final four (a feat not matched since.)
Frahm, could do it all who was the start of our players making it to the NBA (Stockton not included)
and every GU basketball fan who is old enough to remember knows exactly where they were when Calvery's tip in went in.
I could go on and on with Spink,Floyd, Nilson, and Eaton. But all of it would be to prove what everyone already knows. No team will hold as special of a place in our hearts as the 1998-1999 team does.
Im not sure how to sign up...but i wrote the comment above Danielwmathews@yahoo.com
Hey Daniel, there is a tutorial on how to sign up on the right hand side of this screen, let me know directly at joshlinke@gmail.com if you continue to have problems with it, i might be able to send you some screenshots walking you through the process. Would love to have you as a member!
For me, it would have to be the 05-06 team. This team had a lot to like, but there are three things that stand out:
1. The Michigan State game at Maui. It is still being hailed as one of the best basketball games ever.
2. They swept the conference. Enough said.
3. An exiting but heartbreaking deep run in the NCAA tourney to the Sweet 16, loosing to UCLA in the final seconds.
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