Vladimir Brodziansky Visits Campus gets Offered by Gonzaga

So, 247Sport's Jerry Meyer reported that we had a visitor this past weekend on GU's campus named Vladimir Brodziansky.  

Apparently, the coaching staff liked him so much they offered him a scholarship. If he accepts, he could play ball for the Bulldogs for three seasons, as he would be a Junior College transfer. He played for the top Basketball Academy in Europe, Canarias Basketball Academy, and Pratt Community College in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

At Pratt, Vladimir played as a Power Forward. He averaged approx. 15 pgg and 9 rebounds. He is anywhere from 6'9 to 6'11 depending on where you read about him. He's on the thin side, tipping in at about 205 pounds. A red-shirt year spent working with Travis Knight on technique, hitting the weights, getting stronger, and bulking up, would certainly be beneficial. 

With several open scholarships, along with losses the Zags will be facing next year that include current Bigs, Kyle Witljer and Przemek Karnowski, we will be somewhat short handed. He could forge himself a nice place on the team. 

We will keep you updated. Go Zags!

Scouting Report: St. Mary's (CA)

Scouting Report

W-L:17-3
RPI:23
SOS:111
Best Wins:
#8 Drake 72-66
#45 Seton Hall 85-70
#51 Ohio 70-63
#55 Oregon 99-87
#63 San Diego St. 69-64


Current Rankings:
AP #20
ESPN #20

Team Leaders:
Points: Patrick Mills 14.5
Assists: Patrick Mills 3.9
Rebounds: Diamon Simpson 9.4

Best Players:
Patrick Mills, Fr., 6-0 175, PG
Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! OI! OI! OI! Need i say more? He is the top scorer, a freshman sensation, dropped 37 on Oregon, the top passer, and has scored more than 15 points 8 times this year. Mr. Mills is a NBAer, pure and simple. I expect him to be a tough matchup for Pargo tonight.

Diamon Simpson,Jr., 6-7 200, SF
The Diamond in the rough. Mr. Simpson is a rebounding force, he has 10 games with 10 or more boards this year. He is the yin to Patty Mills yang on the perimeter. I expect the zags to be out-rebounded thanks to this man. Did i mention he also shoots 55% from the field and averages almost 2 blocks a game?

Omar Samhan,So., 6-11 265, C
The second straight game that we have had to contend with a low post monster. This time it is with the offensive prowess of Samhan. He shoots 56% and has scored more than 15 points 7 times this year. He is also a great rebounder and shot blocker, teamed with Simpson, they are the best low post tandem in the WCC and maybe on the west coast altogether.

MY Prediction:
When i had a chance to go through St. Mary's schedule i noticed a big difference from the zags, we travel, they dont. The Gaels have had 5 true road games all year and are 2-3 on the road. Their biggest wins(Drake, Oregon, and Seton Hall) have come at home. Now what does this mean? Well the zags are going to McKeon Pavilion tonight, that does not mean this is a guaranteed loss, but i think it gives the Gaels a sizeable advantage. The arena rocks every time the zags come to town. I think when all is said and done the zags are a better team, however the Gaels edge the zags in a close one with the homecourt advantage.
Final Score: St. Mary's 72 Gonzaga 70

Scouting Report: Santa Clara

Scouting Report

W-L:11-9
RPI:150
SOS:168
Best Wins:
#85 @ Utah 72-57

Current Rankings:
n/a

Team Leaders:
Points: John Bryant 17.5
Assists: Brody Angley 5.4
Rebounds: John Bryant 9.4

Best Player:
John Bryant, Jr., 6-10 305, C
The beast from the west lives up to his namesake in more than one way. Mr. Bryant seems to toy with opponents at times. He shoots almost 60% from the field. I expect him to thoroughly handle any and all big men the zags throw at him.

Brody Angley,Sr., 5-11 195, PG
The resident senior leader, hits about 40% from three. Angley is a very good passer and definitely has a knack for knowing when to get it down low to the beast. I expect Angley and Bryant to have good games against the zags and give them some trouble.

MY Prediction:
Again i expect the Broncos to give the zags some trouble down low. The zags average about 11 more ppg and hold opponents to a lower shooting clip than the broncs, i expect Santa Clara to give us some problems, but overall i think the zags have a much more well rounded team.

Final Score: Gonzaga 74 Santa Clara 67

Scouting Report: UConn

UConn is guided by Guards A.J. Price and Jerome Dyson who have held it down very well thus far. Forward JEff Adrien and Center Hasheem Thabeet anchor a respectable front line. If anything can be used to describe this team, it is the word Balanced. The Huskies gave Memphis a big run earlier this year, and otherwise have not had a very tough schedule thus far, they almost stumbled with Morgan St. in the first game of their season. In order for this team to be successful they need to get good scoring from the guard positions and a solid 25-30 minutes from Thabeet. Thabeet is the wild card, as he at times has been almost unstoppable(12 points, 12 boards, 9 blocks against FAMU) and at times has looked god awful(3 points, 6 boards at Morgan St.) Either way, with the Zags interior size advantage they need to attack Thabeet early and often, as well as keep Pargo out of foul trouble, without the perimeter depth that UConn is blessed with. My prediction, Gonzaga 77 UConn 70.

Scouting Report: Saint Josephs

Led By Pat Calathes, the brother of top Florida recruit Nick Calathes. He is a Wiry Big man who can step outside and knock down the 3 Ball. Right now hes averaging 16.3 ppg, and 7.7 rpg. Support comes from Sophomore Darrin Govens a rangy 6-1 combo guard who is averaging about 15 ppg. This team took Syracuse down to the wire about 2 weeks ago, which means they can and will be a team to reckon with. St. Joes poses matchup problems at the guard position due to Gonzaga's lack of depth. However the zags have a huge size advantage down low, if they can stay away from a defensive battle, they can win big over this squad, however with the recent play of the zags, it seems as though they may succumb to playing at Saint Josephs level. Look for Mark Few to run multiple offenses to try to confuse Phil Martellis squad.