A loss like the one to BYU was painful. Then kind of pain I am talking about is the type where you simply need to check-out of life for at least a week, at least I do. Pangos, Bell, and Wesley, going out as losers on senior night. I would have bet the farm against that happening, but it did.
Even Brian Horace, from Dukeblogger.com, told me he was shocked. How could these #3 ranked Zags possibly lose on senior night at the Kennel where no one beats them?! It'd been a decade and a half since Gonzaga has lost on a senior night. We had a #1 seed in our pocket to the big dance, the longest home winning streak in the nation (41), plus a regular season winning streak of 22 games. All of it ripped away. Certainly, we've been getting everyone's best shot, but so what. So have all the top ranked teams. It's no excuse and I grow tired of hearing it. If this team is as good as it is thought to be, it is time to win. Period.
But there were signs this was coming. Instead of peeking at the right time, which should be now, Gonzaga has been regressing. Having to come back from 17 down at St. Mary's, being behind at halftime(s), giving up 78 points to Pacific, and a come from behind win vs Pepperdine. Additionally, the offense had been sputtering, unable to break into the 60s vs San Diego and Pepperdine. This is not the way to be playing so close to the WCC Tourney and beyond.
Hopefully, this loss to BYU will be the wake up call that rallies the team. Possessing one of the top offenses in the nation as well as a top 15ish defense, experience, depth, bigs, wings, and deep shooters, these Zags should be set up like no other in recent memory to do some damage in the NCAA Tourney.
But first things first. There is this WCC Tournament in Las Vegas. Wing Byron Wesley said "I think we needed that (loss to BYU) to humble everybody and to make sure everyone is locked in for the WCC Tournament." A dominating run in the WCC Tourney that nets a Championship would certainly help us in the seedings for the NCAA Tourney.
Speaking of which, and I know these things are fluid this time of year, but as a result of the loss to BYU, not only did the Zags lose out on a probable #1 seed, Mr. Brackets Joe Lunardi has us currently penciled into the Midwest region as a #2 seed in Kentucky's bracket. This is why it is so important at this time of year to win and win big.
Winning the WCC Conference, a 29-2 record, and a lofty #7 ranking in the polls is nothing to be ashamed of, but I have the feeling there is so much more left to accomplish. It's time to get back to work and show the world these Zags are for real.
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