Recap: Gonzaga vs. Maryland

Final Score: Gonzaga 81 Maryland 59

Box score snapshot
Scorer: Josh Heytvelt 22 points
Rebounder: Austin Daye 10 Boards
Passer: Matt Bouldin 4 Assists
Swatter: Austin Daye 3 Blocks
Theif: Matt Bouldin 2 Steals

Game MVP: Josh Heytvelt
22 points, 9 Boards, 1 Block, 2 Big 3's

Team Comparison: Zags/Terrapins
Points: 81/59
assist to turnover ratio:0.80/1.00
Rebounds:41/28
Shooting Percentage: 53%/37%
3pt Percentage: 31%/8%

Notes from the sideline:
-Jeremy Pargo seemed to learn from game 1, looking to defer more so than take control of the game...still he hit two big threes...
-Josh Heytvelt was a breath of fresh air, He had dominance, confidence, and versatility.
-Matt Bouldin has taken the role of the do whatever it takes to hold the game together. He has been one of the hardest working Zags over the early part of the season.
-Austin Daye was again brilliant. His talent has to be second to none, some of his shots look awkward, but his body control helps guide them in, in a way reminiscent of Adam Morrison in his ability to create offense.

What it means for the future (Analysis):
Well, to put it lightly, this means that the Zags made serious adjustments after the ugly first round game and also in game after the pretty mistake prone first half. They realized that all roads to success lead through an explosive Josh Heytvelt. Heytvelt took over the second half, showing dominance i haven't seen since before his drug bust during winter 07. His confidence alone makes the Zags Final Four contenders. If the Zags continue to capitalize on Heytvelt's confidence, i think Tennessee has no chance.

Scouting Report: Maryland

Scouting Report

W-L:4-0
RPI:13
SOS:201
Best Wins:
Maryland 80, (91) Michigan St. 62

Current Rankings:
N/A

Team Leaders:
Points: Greivis Vasquez 21.0
Assists: Greivis Vasquez 5.3
Rebounds: Greivis Vasquez 6.8

Best Players:
Greivis Vasquez, Jr., 6-6 190, SG
In Maryland it begins and ends with Mr. Vasquez. The Junior leads the team in all major statistics. He shoots a little over 87% from the line, so keep him away from the stripe at all cost. Hes at about 33% from 3, i say stick Stephen Gray on him all game...

My Take:
So after Maryland took down juggernaut Michigan St., i said to myself, "wow, what a better matchup!". Then i saw how poorly the zags played last night and i had to check myself and realize if we dont come out hot shooting, we may be heading to an honorable mention game, that is not an option. If this team is going to live up to its hype, we have to come out and dominate teams like OK St. and Maryland. Lets hope we can win and go on to play Tennesee or Georgetown.

Final Score: Gonzaga 85 Maryland 82 OT

Recap: Gonzaga Vs. Oklahoma St.

Recap

Final Score: Gonzaga 83 Oklahoma St. 71

Box score snapshot
Scorer: Micah Downs 17 points
Rebounder: Micah Downs 12 Boards
Passer: Jeremy Pargo 7 Assists
Swatter: Austin Daye 3 Blocks
Theif: Matt Bouldin 2 Steals

Game MVP: Jeremy Pargo
15 points, 5 Boards, 7 Assists, 1 Steal

Team Comparison: Zags/Cowboys
Points: 83/71
assist to turnover ratio:1.45/0.79
Rebounds:44/42
Shooting Percentage: 46%/37%
3pt Percentage: 27%/38%

Notes from the sideline:
- Micah Downs looks like hes starting to improve his shot selection
- Ira Brown was the human sparkplug off the bench
- Josh Heytvelt never got established with early foul trouble
- Jeremy Pargo seemed like he was reverting to his ball hog ways, he should not take more than 10 shots a game
- Matt Bouldin definitely looked like the best offensive option down the stretch
-The team came out extremely cold, 9 days off might have had something to do with that

What it means for the future (Analysis):
It means the Zags had their first real test of the season, and despite not being as prepared as some would like, they did pass. It was a very ugly game, lots of turnovers, bad shots, and bad decisions, lets hope that the Zags can hang with a hot Maryland Team tonight...

Scouting Report: Oklahoma St.

Scouting Report

W-L:3-0
RPI:33
SOS:118
Best Wins:
Well, they haven't exactly played a Gonzaga yet...

#90 North Texas 100-88 at home...

Current Rankings:
N/A

Team Leaders:
Points: Byron Eaton 19.7
Assists: Obi Muonelo 8.7
Rebounds: Byron Eaton 5.0

Best Players:
James Anderson, So., 6-6 195, SF
18.7 points and 7.7 boards per. That is a nice clip for a sophomore. Mr. Anderson is one of the hottest shooting players in the country so far this year. Hes at 60% from the field and 54% from 3. This guy needs a ball hawk on him at all times. I gotta admit the D-assignment will probably be either Austin Daye or Stephen Gray.

Byron Eaton, Sr., 5-11 215, PG
A scoring Point Guard, in full time action is averaging 26.5 points per game. He's shooting only 28% from three this year and i have to believe that's a trend, so keep him outside and clog the middle.

My Take:
This is going to be a difficult first round matchup. Although i do have to admit that the Zags should be able to handle OK St. if there is any hope for a Final Four Berth this year as the pundits have predicted(Dickie V says UCONN, UL, UNC, and the Zags). I expect a struggle, but with this being a truly neutral court offering, the Zags will only have themselves to blame if they cannot pull this one out.

Final Score: Gonzaga 84 Oklahoma St. 75

Is that Old Spice I smell?

So here we go, the season really begins this coming Thursday. We go head to head with Oklahoma State in the First round of the Old Spice tournament. The Travis Ford Led Cowboys will be a nice first round matchup and the winner will be a worthy opponent of Michigan St. in the second round.

This tourney yields teams such as Michigan State, Tennessee, Georgetown, and Maryland. The Bracket is below:





So get your pens and pencils ready, its November Madness!

2008-09 All American Projections

First Team All-American
C Luke Harangody, Notre Dame
PF Tyler Hansbrough, UNC
SF James Harden, Arizona St.
SG Stephen Curry, Davidson
PG Ty Lawson, UNC

Second Team All-American
C Hasheem Thabeet, UConn
PF Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
SF Chase Budinger, Arizona
SG Terrence Williams, Louisville
PG Darren Collison, UCLA

Honorable Mention All-American
C B.J. Mullens, Ohio St.
PF Jon Brockman, Washington
SF Robert Vaden, UAB
SG Tyrese Rice, Boston College
PG Jeremy Pargo, Gonzaga

2008-2009 SCHEDULE

11/15 Montana St. Billings *D-II EXHIBITION
11/18 Idaho
11/27 Old Spice Classic Oklahoma St. ESPN2 6PM
11/28 Old Spice Classic TBA
11/29 Old Spice Classic TBA
11/30 Old Spice Classic TBA
12/6 @Indiana(in Indianapolis) ESPNU 11:30AM
12/10 @Washington St.
12/14 @Arizona(in Phoenix)
12/18 Texas Southern
12/20 Uconn(in Seattle) CBS 1PM
12/23 Portland St.
12/31 @Utah CBS 5PM
1/7 @Tennessee ESPN2 6PM
1/10 Portland
1/15 Santa Clara
1/17 San Francisco
1/22 @Pepperdine
1/24 @Loyola Marymount
1/29 St. Mary's ESPN2
1/31 San Diego ESPN2
2/5 @Portland ESPN2
2/7 Memphis(in Spokane) ESPN 6PM
2/12 @St. Mary's ESPN2
2/14 @San Francisco ESPNU
2/19 Loyola Marymount
2/21 Pepperdine ESPNU
2/26 @Santa Clara ESPN2
2/28 @San Diego ESPN2
3/3 USC Upstate
3/6 WCC Tournament ESPN
3/7 WCC Tournament ESPN
3/8 WCC Tournament ESPN
3/9 WCC Tournament ESPN

*NOTE: This is not the final schedule, there may be up to 2 additional games announced, so keep your ear to Zagaholic!

IM BACK!

Hey Everybody!

Its been forever and a day. After a long reprieve to re-fuel the tank this summer. I'm back and ready for another great season of blogging for the Zags! LETS GO ZAGS! LETS GO!

Its been a relatively quiet summer, but there are a few things that are noteworthy. For one Sam Dower(Osseo H.S. Osseo, MN) Is officially a 2009 Zags Recruit, here is his profile on Rivals.com.

Also I'm updating the schedule courtesy of the Amazing Bobzag over at guboards.com and i will have it posted shortly.

Expect more updates in time.

2009 Draft Prospectus V.2

Here is the top 10 prospects for the 2009 NBA draft:

1. Ricky Rubio 6-3 180 PG Spain
2. Blake Griffin 6-9 250 PF Oklahoma
3. Brandon Jennings 6-1 170 PG Italy
4. BJ Mullens 7-0 260 C Ohio St.
5. Demar DeRozan 6-6 210 SG USC
6. Austin Daye 6-10 205 SF Gonzaga
7. James Harden 6-5 220 SG Arizona St.
8. Earl Clark 6-8 220 SF Louisville
9. Al-Farouq Aminu 6-9 210 SF Wake Forest
10. Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 265 C UConn

So its official, Oklahoma City has taken my Beloved sonics away...Clay Bennett is officially the most hated man in my mind.

Here is a list of the top 30 prospects for the 2009 NBA draft:

1. Blake Griffin 6-9 250 PF Oklahoma
2. Brandon Jennings 6-1 170 PG Arizona
3. Demar DeRozan 6-6 210 SG USC
4. BJ Mullens 7-0 260 C Ohio St.
5. Austin Daye 6-10 205 SF Gonzaga
6. Hasheem Thabeet 7-3 265 C UConn
7. Al-Farouq Aminu 6-9 210 SF Wake Forest
8. James Harden 6-5 220 SG Arizona St.
9. Chase Budinger 6-7 215 SF Arizona
10. Earl Clark 6-8 220 SF Louisville
11. James Anderson 6-6 195 SG Oklahoma St.
12. Tyler Smith 6-7 220 SF Tennessee
13. Damion James 6-8 225 SF Texas
14. Rodrigue Beaubois 6-2 180 PG France
15. Stephen Curry 6-1 185 SG Davidson
16. Ty Lawson 6-0 195 PG UNC
17. Patrick Patterson 6-8 235 PF Kentucky
18. Wayne Ellington 6-5 195 SG UNC
19. Tyreke Evans 6-5 205 SG Memphis
20. Darren Collison 6-1 175 PG UCLA
21. DaJuan Summers 6-8 225 SF Georgetown
22. Victor Claver 6-10 240 SF Spain
23. Jordan Hill 6-10 230 PF Arizona
24. Eric Maynor 6-3 180 PG VCU
25. Josh Heytvelt 6-11 240 PF Gonzaga
26. Terrence Williams 6-6 220 SF Louisville
27. Tyler Hansbrough 6-8 245 PF UNC
28. Derrick Brown 6-8 220 SF Xavier
29. Andrew Ogilvy 6-10 250 C Vanderbilt
30. Jeremy Pargo 6-2 210 PG Gonzaga

This list is obviously subject to change...