The game was ugly at times, no doubt about it. Gonzaga committed 15 turnovers, to just 8 for
Oklahoma State. There were questionable
calls and noticeable no calls, but Gonzaga still pulled out a 69-68 win over
Oklahoma State, our 5th opponent from the Big 12.
With this win, we ended 2012 on a high note. We finished non-conference play with 13 wins
and just 1 loss. We were 2-1 vs. ranked
opponents, pulling out wins over Oklahoma State (ranked 22) and Kansas State (unranked at time of play, but now #25), and losing to
Illinois (ranked 13 when we played them, now ranked 11). We finished 5-0 versus the Big
12 with wins over OK State, K State, West Virginia, Baylor, and Oklahoma.
The Good:
Gonzaga played strong this game. We pulled out to an early lead, and scored
over 30 points in the first half. OK
State’s last two opponents failed to score even 20 points by half time.
Kevin Pangos put any fears of his slump aside with another
strong performance. He finished with 23
points (most in the first half), 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. His best play of the game occurred when he
drove the lane, passed out to Bell for a 3 and put Gonzaga back in the lead
with 35 seconds left on the game clock.
He also hit clutch free throws with 4 seconds on the clock to give
Gonzaga a four-point lead, and secure the win.
Olynyk also had a dominating game. After failing to score a single point, or
even to attempt a shot in the first half (limited minutes with 2 fouls), Olynyk
came out strong in the second half to score 21 points and grab 9 rebounds before
fouling out. Many of Olynyk’s shots were
strongly contested and the announcers remarked that Olynyk had been fouled and
pushed around numerous times with no calls.
He is really developing into one of the premier big men in the country
this season.
Our Free throws were another positive this game as we shot
83.3% from the line. Gonzaga has been
extremely inconsistent this season from the charity stripe, but this game our
free throws really helped to secure the win.
GU shot 15-18 from the line vs 63.6% for Oklahoma State. We really hit free throws when they counted
and when the game was on the line.
Finally, our rebounds were a huge factor in this game, as GU
out rebounded OK State 33-18.
The Bad:
Turnovers, sloppy passes, and poor ball handling almost cost
Gonzaga this game. Oklahoma State came
into the game ranked 12th in the nation in field goal defense
(holding opponents to just 35.8%) and in scoring defense (55.5ppg). For the most part, we were able to get past
their defense. We scored 48% from the
floor, and scored 69 points, but their defense did take a toll. Gonzaga had 15 turnovers, to just 8 for
Oklahoma State. Remove just a few of
those turnovers, and this game wouldn’t have been nearly so close. Gonzaga would have won by 10, if not for the
empty possessions. It didn’t help that
OK State also out blocked us 6-1.
Gary Bell Jr. gave us quite the scare in the second
half. After a collision with teammate
Pangos, Bell went down and was grabbing his knee. Luckily, he was able to come back and put up
the go ahead 3 pointer with 35 seconds left in the game.
Sam Dower. I am at a
loss again on what to say about his performance, except that it was underwhelming,
disappointing, non-existent, and I would be happy if he didn’t make it off the
bench. I know I am being harsh, but he
was a complete liability this game and I cringed every time he stepped foot on
the court.
Overall
This game was too close for comfort, but I am proud of this
Zags team. They played a tough
non-conference opponent in a raucous arena filled with Orange. The officiating was definitely questionable
at times, and we overcame the adversity, never lost our composure and pulled
out the tough win. This game will really
help us prepare for the NCAA tournament in March, and I am very happy to close
out 2012 with a win.
5 comments:
Dower hit 2 big shots in this game..you may be underwhelmed but the offensive scheme Few runs, pulls him out away from the basket and he cannot do what he does best, score with his back to the basket. Hart played well at times but Few and co should have put Dower and PK in more in the first half...both were scoring at will but never got the time to even build on it.
I disagree. Dower has been inconsistent and not looking like he is putting much effort or energy into the time he is on the floor. There were numerous times he was open and should have put up a shot and instead he passes it around.
I also won't buy the argument that Few is the cause for his lack of confidence in taking open shots in fear of missing and being pulled out of the game. Players should have a strong desire to prove that they are worth the playing time and go out there and get open and take the shots. I have only seen Sam taking the for sure shots. I want Sam to be successful and I am pulling for him but I haven't seen the effort yet.
I would expect to see more time for PK and Sam during conference play where they may have more opportunity to establish themselves as strong role and bench players.
I disagree with Pride as it is the offensive scheme Few is running. He is looking to create something on the third to fourth rotation. I noticed that all the players are particularly hesitant to shoot not just Dower. What I am seeing is the offensive is designed to run through three people. The extra pass and hesitancy to shoot which is seen as a hesitancy to shoot helps create opportunities for either pangos, Harris or Kelly. Kelly is shooting a ridiculously high percentage because of the work the rest of the team is putting into help open the floor space. Kelly also draws opposing players into offensive fouls at an amazing rate.
Sam is not getting the PT because it is so hard to keep Harris and Kelly off the floor. I think Dower has the faith of the coaches from an offensive stand point but Kelly and Harris soak up rebounds at rate Dower has not shown to be capable of producing.
I think this has more to do with assertiveness. Dower often looks overwhelmed by bigger teams defenses. He doesnt seem comfortable maneuvering inside and often has to kick it back out because he doesnt work harder inside the key. I dont know if this is confidence or a lack of strength to get his position, but there is a definite issue when we play teams with big front lines.
In regards to hesitancy to shoot, i think this is more of a confidence issue. Even after our set is established we often see guys like Harris or Hart pass up an open perimeter opportunity. That appears to be more of a confidence matter as well.
Kelly Olynyk has been successful because of his assertiveness, he gets in there and doesnt seem to care whether anyone else wants to get involved in the play, hed rather make his move (which more often than not is the best move) and get his shot. Where he has improved the most is in his ability to find the right angles and get the right space to get a better sight line to the basket, thus increasing his shooting percentage and conversion rate. He seems like the key this year, if we can get him to be fully immersed in the offense without committing ticky tacky fouls and play through a full 40 minutes at the same consistent level, the sky is the limit. He has the talent to be one of the biggest stars in the league.
I think that Sam and KD are the two best pure shooters on the team but they do not feel they have the green light or are not willing to act on their opportunities. Sam is passing them up but in he defense, he is catching the ball at the elbow or past the arc...that is the first pass he receives. He is not the back a guy down from 15+ feet that Kelly is so he is going to HAVE TO take and hit open jumpers or find a way to pass off to the wing and cut to the block to post up, quick move over his shoulder and score.
Sam does not move his feet with the ball in the air. that is the simple answer as to why he does not rebound...he gets it if it comes to him..he does not go get it.
If you recorded the OK st game, watch it with Sam in and you will see his man scored on him once...once. His position D has improved but past that...not a ton of effort if he does not see the ball going through the rim for him at the other end....
Lastly, he is in his head WAY too much and so...unless he fixes that...he will continue to lose PT to Kelly,Harris,Hart and KP...it is too bad cause the kid could come in with confidence and give GU 10 pts a night in 15-17 mins a game...
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