NCAA Tourney: Zags vs. Southern Jaguars

Gonzaga whipped the Southern Jaguars the last time they met. And that is putting it kindly. The last time we faced off was two years ago in the Kennel and the final score wasn't pretty.  It was 117-72, and that was with playing our bench most of the game.

What does that have to do with this year? Not much. Back then, Southern was in the throes of an NCAA investigation involving academic scandals that almost wiped out their program. They had just begun a slide that would see them lose 24 games that season, and it ended with them in last place. But this year they finished second in their conference and won their conference tourney. They brought in a new coach, Roman Banks, and he has turned things around in a hurry.

Although they don't have much size in the paint (and that will cause problems galore for them against the Zags), they do have a pair of athletic, and long guards that are a handful. Beltran, and Miller, ave. about 16 ppg each, and go 6'4 and 6'6. Both can hit the deep ball, with Miller bombing them in at an astonishing .460! This will be a test for our somewhat diminutive veteran guards, Pangos, Bell, and Stockton, who have at times struggled with length (see: Aaron Craft, Ohio State). We'll get an early NCAA Tourney glimpse as to how they can handle what is usually thought to be their Achilles heel.

Southern also has quite a defense. They are #13 in the country allowing only 57 ppg. They are also #2 in the country in FG% defense, only allowing opponents to shoot a paltry .365. Meanwhile the Zags score about 78 ppg, good for #11 in the nation and have a fg% of just over .50%, which is good enough for a #3 ranking.

What does this all mean? It means something has to give. It's offense vs defense and David vs Goliath all wrapped up into one.

Although I am somewhat concerned about their defense, I am more interested in how our guards will hold up against Southern's long, athletic guards. But, because of our size advantage in the post, I expect our bigs to score at will, we will camp inside and make our living at the free throw line late to pull away for the fairly easy win.

These are not your fathers Jaguars.....but I still see a final score of:

Gonzaga 74    Southern  59