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College Basketball

Gonzaga Will Be In Indianapolis

By eastkyreporter, Section College
Posted on Tue Feb 21 2006 at 4:46 PM EST Printer Friendly Page
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It's been seven years since that pesky bunch of Gonzaga Bulldogs entered the NCAA Tournament as a number ten seed, and stunned the college basketball world by making it to the West Regional final against Connecticut.   Now, in 2006 Coach Mark Few's squad is receiving more national attention that ever, thanks to All American Adam Morrison.  But yet, for one reason or another, many are still overlooking this dangerous team.  For whatever the reason is, it'll prove to be a mistake.  When the Final Four assemblies in Indianapolis in six weeks, the Bulldogs will be there.

There's different reasons Gonzaga is flying under the radar.  "They're a west coast team.  They only have one good player.  They don't play anybody in their weak conference."  The only statement of the three above mentioned that's true is the fact they are on the west coast.  Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think they can fix that.  As for the Dogs only having one real player, that's definitely a false statement.  This is the most talented bunch of Bulldogs Mark Few has ever possesed.  With Adam Morrison going crazy scoring wise almost nightly, a lot of folks seem to forget about key player such as J.P Batista (59.5% field goal shooting and 9.0 rebounds per contest) Derek Raivio (92.2% free throw shooting), Sean Mallon, and David Pendergraft.

Let's look at some team statistics from this group.  Gonzaga is in the top thirty in the nation shooting the ball, averaging 45% per game.  They are 14th in the nation scoring wise, putting up 80.3 a contest.  At the free throw line they come in at tops in America with an average of 78.9%.  The three blemishes on their record of 22-3 are made up of #3 Connecticut, #4 Memphis, and #19 Washington.  That's some pretty tough competition. Their marquee wins include victories over #20 Maryland, #12 Michigan State, and a scrappy Oklahoma State team that just thumped the Texas Longhorns.    Besides this, they're undefeated in their conference even though night in and night out opposing conference foes give them everything they've got.  

Not since they were a #12 seed in 2001 have the Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.  You can guarantee that Few, and his All-American Morrison will not let the Dogs get to the NCAA's and have another meltdown.  They're destined to advance past the Sweet Sixteen and on.  Punch your tickets to Indy Zag fans, because this team's going that far!

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Gonzaga Will Be In Indianapolis | 4 comments (4 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
Zig Zags will dance, but Indy? (#1)
by Anonymous Fan on Wed Feb 22 2006 at 2:47 PM EST
I love the Zags, and I believe they're destined for great things this year.  But, the final four is a bit of a stretch.  So is claiming that this is their best team.  Last year, Gonzaga had Adam Morrison AND Ronny Turiaf and STILL couldn't get past the second round.

I hope that they make a big splash this year, because if they don't then they'll be labled as choke-artists.

I wrote a piece on the Zags on my blog, www.briansblogcabin.blogspot.com.  It's nothing big.  Hopefully I'll be writing about them in late March/early April.

Not this year (#2)
by AJKaufman on Sun Feb 26 2006 at 4:00 PM EST
I picked the Zags for the final four last year and a few years back. This year's team has NO shot. They don't play enough defense and have had far too many close games against a weak WCC this year.

[ Parent ]
Gonzaga 75, USF 72 (#3)
by AJKaufman on Tue Feb 28 2006 at 1:21 AM EST
USF is 11-16.

Yet ANOTHER UNimpressive home win for Gonzaga against porous competition. They won't be able to turn the switch in the tourney. They haven't done so the last few years, either.

[ Parent ]

One more thing (#4)
by AJKaufman on Tue Feb 28 2006 at 1:23 AM EST
I lived in LA, near LMU, for the last six years. This year's WCC is abysmal in comparison to years' past. The ONLY team that is "up" this year from last is LMU. That doesn't bode well for the Bulldogs.

I will agree that JP Batista has been the most under-rated player in the nation for two consecutive years, though.

Gonzaga Will Be In Indianapolis | 4 comments (4 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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