Gonzaga’s 2014 Edition- What’s in the Tank: Kevin Pangos

One of the reasons, and there are many, that the 2014 edition of the Gonzaga Bulldogs may finally return to the Elite 8, or even beyond, is Kevin Pangos.

It has been said that for a team to be elite, it needs a point guard with experience. Pangos is entering his final year as a senior. Not only that, but he has been a starter since coming off the bench during the first game of his collegiate career as a freshman. He has been tested by fire in many preseason, WCC, and NCAA tournaments. He has fought the wars and survived boisterous, hostile crowds. He has the experience.

The team rallies around Pangos. He exudes confidence on the floor and is very vocal. He wills his team to find a way and they almost always do. Teammates look to Kevin during times of struggle, oftentimes passing up good looks while deferring to him. Kevin leads, and players follow.

Pangos is driven, beyond what most would consider normal. He is relentless in his quest to better his game. What he lacks in size and length, he makes up in determination and preparation. If he is not lifting weights, or practicing in the gym, he is almost always on his way there, or thinking about it. I have seen him in the Kennel all by himself, deep into the night, dribbling two balls up and down the court. Setting up a bit trap net and working on the arc of his shot, fine tuning the subtleties of his game. He puts in 1000s of hours perfecting his craft. No one has more drive and determination than Kevin.

Elite teams need someone who can shoot from deep and count on in crunch time to hit foul shots. Pangos can do both. He is an assassin from three, draining 41.2% as a junior. I remember when he hit 9 of them in his very first start vs. WSU at the Kennel in ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-off. Because of the show he put on, he was trending worldwide afterwards on Twitter!

Also, he is deadly at the charity stripe, leading the team at the line while hitting 87.3% last season. When its money-time and the game is on the line, players get the ball to Pangos because he drives and gets fouled. He puts games away at the line.

We believe the only thing that could possibly stop Pangos from having his best year yet is injury. He was not himself this past season as he was hampered most of the year with turf toe, as well as a severely sprained ankle. He has had the off-season to put his body back together, get the rest he needed in order to heal, and work on his game. With that said, we look for Pangos to explode during his senior campaign and lead Gonzaga back to the Elite 8.

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