8:00PM on ESPN U
Many Zags fans are going into Wednesday night’s game against
WSU thinking one thing: Will this be the first Gonzaga Basketball team to start
the season 9-0? Upperclassmen Elias Harris, Sam Dower, Kelly Olynyk, David
Stockton and Mike Hart are all thinking something else: REVENGE. These players were on the squad two years ago
that played a very good WSU team in Pullman and were pretty much blown out
after halftime. I remember having to
watch that game at a bar in Seattle as it was aired on ESPN U (as it is again this year). It was one of the most frustrating games of
that season, let alone in recent memory.
It felt like Gonzaga couldn’t do anything right. Rest assured, the players who were on the
squad that year do not want to allow the youngsters on the team to know how
that feels. I’m looking for the veterans
to be fired up in this one.
Gonzaga is facing a 5-3 WSU team that is currently riding a
three game winning streak. This will be
Gonzaga’s first true road game of the year, and WSU already has experience
playing a top ten team this year in Kansas, albeit they lost 78-41 in the CBE
Classic semi-finals. Other than that
game, the Cougars haven’t played any other extraordinary talent. In fact, there isn’t anything that special
about WSU’s season thus far, except of course leading scorer and rebounder
Brock Motum. Many scouts predicted that
he would have been drafted after his Junior year last season. Instead he returned to WSU and is averaging
18.9 points and 7 rebounds through 8 games this year. Look for Brock to lead WSU in their charge to
contend against the Zags.
Brock, however, will really have to step up his game, as Gonzaga
is playing a team that is missing some talent due to offseason hardships
and early season injuries. There was the dismissal of starting guard Reggie
Moore, and does everyone remember the name Demarquise Johnson? He hasn’t seen a
minute on the floor after being declared academically ineligible to start the
season. At this point, I’m glad he chose
WSU over Gonzaga. Our team has such
great chemistry this year, and Demarquise Johnson is definitely a nice topic to
be no longer discussing. Finally, there
is the knee injury of Sophomore Guard Davonte Lacy. His injury occurred during the loss to
Kansas, and it is unsure if he will be back in the lineup by tipoff. He is the type of player that can change the pace of a game, and WSU is really missing him. I predict the Zags to stay focused and prove
that they can be successful in a tough environment on the road.
9 comments:
My prediction 87-60. Blow out. Player of the game will be Olynyk. And sub of the game will be Draino
I concur with the blowout prediction... I don't think WSU has the horses to keep up with us right now, but I do think that they will keep the score tight for most of the first half playing at home with a noisy crowd.
Modum is an elite player and Bone is a very good coach. WSU is playing at home. This isn't going to be an easy game folks. (Wish it were otherwise). Look for WSU to slow the game and limit possessions. Score will be in the 60's.
Gonzaga 68, WSU 52
mjc
That's true I was probably too high with my score line but I think the gap is right. I see motion getting into foul trouble and us just pouning them
68-52 is hardly close, that's a 16 point blowout...and i agree that GU does not reach 70 points, Wazzu always plays a physical defensive game, i expect the flow to be rough and messy for at least the first half until GU's depth comes out and creates some space.
I think y'all have convinced me that this game will be a little closer than I originally thought.
Do not fret, the high scoring offense will soon return!
The game with Illinois will be wide open. Look for that one to be a shoot out! Would not surprise me a bit if both teams scored 80+.
mjc
WOW! A fantastic game. Zags did not look good at all as a team. TGF Olynic -- he really looked like a man among boys tonight. Mike Hart might be the reason we won. No question, his best game ever as a Zag!
Mike hart must have accepted my apology
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