Forty minutes prior to tip-off and the arena was already
crackling with nervous energy. Tension,
mixed with jubilation could be felt throughout.
This Gonzaga crowd had come out in full force to support the team they all
believed in – a Cinderella story that has evolved over 14 years into a national
player, the #1 team in the land. We
have been here before – the Zags are no strangers to the WCC Championship game. But this year is different. This is a year of unfinished business.
It would be trite to say this was simply a revenge game. Saint Mary’s stole the crown from Gonzaga
last year, and we needed to bring the trophy back to Spokane. It would also be trite to say this game was a
simple rivalry game. This game carried
with it so much more. Yes, we dominated Saint Mary’s for the third time this
season, yes, we were crowned the WCC Champions and all is right in this world
again…but this was a statement win. This
was an exclamation mark for the 2012-2013 Zags team to show the Nation that
this year is different. They will not be
content with the WCC title, they want more and they deserve more. This was a game to show that the Zags have earned
the #1 ranking and helped make the case for a 1 seed in the tournament. This is a Zags team loaded with talent, and
more importantly chemistry. They play
for the love of the game, their love for each other, and the desire to achieve
greatness. It is unfair to compare this
team to years’ past. It is unfair to use
this team as validation. This team is
unique, and special and a once in a century type team. I believe this team can make it to Atlanta,
and Monday’s thorough domination of Saint Mary’s brings us one step closer to
making that dream a reality.
The WCC Championship Game pitted 2012-2013 WCC Player of the
Year and All-American candidate Kelly Olynyk against the 2011-2012 WCC Player
of the Year, Mathew Dellavedova. One
found success on Monday, and the other had a rather lackluster
performance. Offensively, the Bulldogs
shot a blistering 52.1% from the floor and made 81.3% of their Free
Throws. Kelly Olynyk and Tournament MVP
Elias Harris paced the Zags with 21 points and 19 points respectively. The Gonzaga defense; however, is the true
reason for the 65-51 point blowout. The
defense, led by WCC Defensive Player of the Year Mike Hart held Saint Mary’s to
a mere 35.7% field goal shooting, and 25.9% from beyond the arc (7 for
27).
The biggest highlight of the night was the defensive pressure
on standout guard Dellavedova who was held to just 2 points on 1-8
shooting. But, as standard with this
team, the defense wasn’t just a one-man effort as the entire team stepped up
their defensive intensity. Mike Hart and
Gary Bell Jr., are without a doubt the best defensive players on our team,
though the standouts for this game, aside from those two, would have to be
Kelly Olynyk, who often would play help-side defense to frazzle Delly, and
Kevin Pangos. Pangos only made 4 points, on 2-8 shooting, but he was a monster
on defense bringing down 7 rebounds and garnering 4 steals. It was truly a great, albeit surprising
display of defense from Pangos.
On both ends of the floor the Zags played with strength and
heart. They had highlight reel plays
from virtually every player. Kelly
showed once again that he deserves to be All-American, Harris continued to
quietly etch his name into the Zags record books and was rewarded with
Tournament MVP, Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. led the team with poise, and
role players and former Walk-Ons Mike Hart and David Stockton made their mark
by playing the game their way and embracing their part in this story. This team is deep and capped an 18-0 run
through WCC play with a complete game on both ends of the floor. They finished the regular season at 31-2, the
first time Gonzaga team to ever finish the season with more than 30 wins in
Regular Season. The next chapter of the story is out of Gonzaga’s hands and
into the hands of the NCAA Selection Committee on Sunday. Whatever happens, this Gonzaga team has a
chance to make history.
After the game, the crowd wanted to celebrate. Chants of “We’re #1”, “All-American” and “We
Are GU” shook the rafters. But the team
made one final statement. They thanked the crowd, did a little dance at half
court, cut down the net and walked out of the arena. It is symbolic of the words the team has
spoken all year. It was just one more
goal checked off the list. The #1 team
in the nation has more goals to accomplish.
Click here for SportsCenter recap of the game, including
highlight reel and monster dunk by Kelly Olynyk.
And Click here to watch the Championship Awards Ceremony.
Finally, I will leave you with one last video to keep you pumped up for the Dance. Here is a Gonzaga Parody on the Zags basketball team and the song Thrift Shop.
4 comments:
Thrilled with how the team seems to be rolling right now and especially happy with the defense.
Have we morphed into a defensive powerhouse from the Big East overnight? lol
Frequently holding oponenents in the 40s and 50s is crazy fun!
Cant wait for the brackets to come out... Hopefully, the selection committee gives the Zags a #1 seed.
Another terrific write-up Brianna!!
Brianna- FYI, I linked your article on our Facebook site and Twitter.
Thanks again.
Only being able to attend the Battle in Seattle and tournament games it is really electrifying to watch the games live. Since December I do think we have improved a lot. It is really fun to be at the games. Saturday was a bit nerve wracking for a bit but Monday was pure fun.
Harris was phenomenal, Kelly was great but I was really impressed with Pangos. His defense was super, he hustled for rebounds and his steals were timed perfectly to give us a boost. I agree that our defense has really stepped up.
What impresses me most about the team is how poised they are and their demeanor on the floor. They never complain to the refs even after questionable calls. They just go on and play the game. They really are a class act.
Thanks for the write ups. They are always a good read and it is fun to re-live the games. We can and will go far in the tourney. Go Zags!
I don't know about the rest of you but it's kinda fun being super smug these days. No need to say anything anymore, the team's performance far outshines any accolades you might heap upon them.
It's really funny to listen to my buddies at OU or Montana -- talking about their tournament chances. Not one of them will even mention GU in my presence . . . but there's always an Elephant in the room no matter where the conversation goes.
Great fun~!
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