SBNation.com User Blog: idfan

Scouting Gonzaga

idfan — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 05:42:37 -0000

Scouting Gonzaga

Fun read. Interesting format with nothing but quotes. A lot of coaches have high opinions of the Zags!

All quiet on the western, cbb front.

idfan — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 06:09:11 -0000

Seems to me that as I continue to read the various boards discussing college basketball, the chatter against Gonzaga being a number 1 seed in the tournament appears to be diminishing. Is it possible that people are finally beginning to accept that the Zags belong at that level, or at least are having a harder time finding reasons to complain about sports pundits putting them on that line? Ever since the first predictions of the zags being on that line came out, the haters have been numerous and ravenous in their disdain for the selection. But as of the last couple of days, Gonzaga is being prognasticated by more fans (even those in the power six conferences) as a number 1 seed. Is this tolerance and acceptance that the Zags are truly one of the best teams in the country or is it the calm before the storm, when the real seedings come out and the Zags are on that line? It has been refreshing not reading the extreme hate as of late. Must admit that I really thought that Gonzaga being a 1 seed was mostly a pipe dream but now I'm beginning to think it could happen. Must we win out to get there or will ANY loss drop us to a 2 or 3? I will also admit, as I watch this team over the last couple weeks I have become less concerned about seeding as they continue to play some of the best basketball I have seen out of Spokane for several years. I am gaining more confidence that this team could beat anyone they a paired against. Seeing how the negative talk has eased I'm thinking that more people have watched them play and are starting to realize how good they really are as well. Do I dare to dream???

Need some expert advice

idfan — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 03:27:54 -0000

Thinking about heading to Salt Lake to catch the first two rounds of the tourney. (I guess it's the 2nd and 3rd rounds now) All the analysts say the Zags will be in Salt Lake. Probably the reason why I' m guessing they' 'll go to San Jose. What I' m so afraid of is that I will get tickets and they won' t be there and I' 'll be watching a game WHILE the Zags are playing. (can' t miss a tournament game!) So what is the likelihood they will play in Salt Lake City? Anyone have some guidance for me?

Wow

idfan — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 06:07:02 -0000

Anyone see the end of the Saint Mary's - Brigham Young game? One hell of a finish. I know everyone is saying that the Mountain West is the best conference in the west but those kind of games have got to get the attention of some that the West Coast plays some pretty good basketball. I will admit that those games remaining verses S.M. and B.Y.U. are going to be nerve- racking games. If G.U. can win all those then I' 'll be pretty confident that we can do something specI am in March. Those are two pretty good teams there that put on a great show. Even if we get three out of those four would be pretty darnn good.

Anyway, let's go Zags. No slip ups this week and let's really start to get it rolling. I still Don' t think we are playing our best basketball yet.

7 days is way too long so let's have some fun before Thursday.

idfan — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 05:35:02 -0000

1. Louisville

2. Indiana

3. Duke

4. Kansas

5. Michigan

6. Syracuse

7. Arizona

8. Zags

9. Minnesota

10. Florida

11. Ohio State

12. Creighton

13. Butler

14. NC State

15. sd State

16. Kansas State

Current ap poll

Based on these rankings, the sweet sixteen might look like this

1. Louisville

4. Kansas St..

2. zags

3. Ohio State

1. Kansas

4. Butler

2.Syracuse

3.Florida

1. Duke

4. NC State

2. Arizona

3. Creighton

1. Indiana

4. sd State

2. Michigan

3. Minnesota

Based on this sweet sixteen, the Zags would have to win the rematch with Ohio State and then beat Louisville to get to the final four, which in my mind doesn't work well for the Zags. What do you all see as the best sweet sixteen draw for the Zags to make the final four - just for fun. Have at it.

1. Louisville

2. Indiana

3. Duke

4. Kansas

5. Michigan

6. Syracuse

7. Arizona

8. Zags

9. Minnesota

10. Florida

11. Ohio State

12. Creighton

13. Butler

14. NC State

15. sd State

16. Kansas State

Current ap poll

Based on these rankings, the sweet sixteen might look like this

1. Louisville

4. Kansas St..

2. zags

3. Ohio State

1. Kansas

4. Butler

2.Syracuse

3.Florida

1. Duke

4. NC State

2. Arizona

3. Creighton

1. Indiana

4. sd State

2. Michigan

3. Minnesota

Gottlieb on Gonzaga

idfan — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 06:17:44 -0000

Gottlieb on Gonzaga

Not that I'm completely fond of his characterization of the Zags but I think it pretty accurately describes the current strengths and weaknesses of the team right now. Best I've heard from an analyst so far.

Miss the post game wrap ups so here it goes. Zags v. SCU

idfan — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 07:20:34 -0000

Gonzales looked pretty solid tonight verses the Broncos. With the exception of the egg they laid against Illinois, the Zags have risen to every challenge this season. This is the first team I can remember since 99 that has shown this type of resolve. We have had all sorts of heroes, with all of our key guys stepping up at some time or another to have big games or make key contributions when needed. This may be the team that finally has the kind of mindset to make a historic run this season. It showed tonight, as every time that SCU made a run,our kids handled it and held them at bay all nightnight. We really May be watching the team that gives our best chance to finally break that 13 year drought to get to an elite eight, or beyond.

With that said, I can' t help but wonder when we will see the defensive adjustment that seems so obvious to me that could really cause us problems. Send whoever is guarding our 3 person out on the floor to immediately double either post and make those 3 guys have to beat them. Seems like a simple adjustment but could be very effective. I' d even take my chances of Stockton if Few goes with his three guard line up. Hoping I' m wrong but I see where that could be what we see most of the game. Only counter I see is putting one of our bugs high and attacking but if they double team out of zone that will negate that. Does anyone see this as a weakness?

Props to Kyle for Performance against LCSC

idfan — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:24:23 -0000

Since we didn't have a game thread or post game write up, I just wanted to get something going about how well the second unit played against LCSC. That was a great opportunity for them to get some time and see what they could really do for this team. Even though it was lesser competition, I was quite impressed how that unit played together. After some uncomfortable moments early on they played pretty well together and put up some great performances. I have to give particular praise to Kyle. He really showed us Gonzaga fans what he could bring to the table if he were ever to develop that level of confidence against better competition. What he accomplished last night was amazing and he did it in a very clean, smooth sort of way. Happy for the Idaho kid - us Idahoans have to keep everyone remembering that we have some good things going on in our great state too. Great job Kyle and the rest of the 2nd unit! Keep this confidence and make this team have its most successful season ever!

Our weaker schedule this season....

idfan — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 05:58:14 -0000

Isn't looking all that weaker anymore. Illinois is tearing it up in Maui and Butler just upset North Carolina. Both are likely to be in the top 25 before we play them. So much for our easier schedule. Will help our RPI and ranking though if we can knock most of these teams off. Won't be quite as dependent on that Baylor game boosting our resume as we thought. Guess things are back in order now that the Zags are playing all these soon-to-be top teams. The way its supposed to be.

Not ready to go!

idfan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:04:08 -0000

Appears no one affilliated with Gonzaga basketball was prepared for Portland, including us. Kids sure aren't ready. Loss to Portland, combined with St Mary's beating LMU pretty much makes us have to run the table to have any chance at winning the conference. Pathetic first half. What have they been doing all week? They are playing with no focus, no fire. Just about the time I think I can get a feel for this team they do something like this. Better see a much more focused and aggressive team in the 2nd half or I'm going to be concerned about this road trip, let alone the rest of the season. Come on Zags!!!!!!

CBS Top 50 College games of the Season

idfan — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 06:35:38 -0000

CBS Top 50 College games of the Season

CBS Sportsline listed the top 50 games of this season. Four of those games are Zag games. Funny how none of those four games are with BYU. What does everyone think of the list and the games they picked.

New ball game now

idfan — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:09:05 -0000

Time to start talking about the big upset by San Diego. So what does everyone think this does for our Bulldogs. A lot more incentive now to play hard down the stretch. I don't know if winning the conference championship will carry anymore weight with the selection committee but does this now open up a possible at large bid again? Even if we don't win it all at Vegas, could we still get in if we share a conference title? The other big question is will this be beneficial for the team's mentality? I was thinking that going in not in the first spot may put a chip on their shoulders and make them play very hard, which is what they need to do to win the tournament. So is this upset better or worse for this year's Zags?