The Gonzaga Bulldogs started off the Players Era Tournament on the right note, taking down the Alabama Crimson Tide in a gritty, hard-fought win, 95-85.
- This was a big game from Gonzaga’s big dudes (plus Tyon Grant-Foster). Ike started out missing his first six shots and still finished with 21 points. That matched a Gonzaga-high with Grant-Foster, who was absolutely excellent (more on him later). Braden Huff chipped in 18 points.
- Ultimately, the 10 point finish is a bit larger than the game was for much of the contest. Alabama held the lead for most of the first half and the Zags went into halftime up three. Gonzaga looked liked they were starting to pull away, but Alabama, led by Labaron Philon Jr. made it a game once again. A decisive 10-0 run by Gonzaga with about five minutes to go put it back out of reach. But, for the most part, this game felt like it was one or two bucket contest for much of the 40 minutes.
- Steele Venters showed his importance to this Gonzaga team with each of his four made threes. The Zags needed them. Venters was 4-for-8 from three and the rest of the team was 2-for-14. This is not a good three-point shooting squad, and a team like Alabama that can rain hellfire from afar is one of the more dangerous obstacles for Gonzaga. We will ignore Venters two dead ball fouls because of his three-point contributions.
- Mario Saint-Supery earned the start and then played 32 minutes to Braeden Smith’s eight. Saint-Supery finished with 10 points, all coming from the free throw line. Not sure this necessarily means he has earned the starting spot more so that Mark Few was looking for more size and defense on the perimeter agianst the likes of Philon Jr.
- Gonzaga won this game on the offensive boards. The Zags hit them HARD, grabbing 20, which led to 25 second-chance points–15 more than Alabama. This leads into the next point…
- I understand the point of Nate Oat’s analytical approach–threes and points in the paints are the most effective use of shots. However, we aren’t in the NBA. Guys are not automatic from three when open. With Alabama’s guards largely looking to run in transition and not get a defensive rebound, it left them vulnerable when they didn’t well from three. The Crimson Tide are only dangerous if they can hit those shots, otherwise, it is hard to bet on them for six-straight games in March.
- The frontcourt of Ike and Huff will get all the accolades, but Grant-Foster is really the guy to watch on this squad. Once again, he was absolutely everywhere. He moves fantastically off the ball. His defense is unreal (the straight-up armed block on a fastbreak was absolutely nutty), and his energy on the boards is the sort of thing that gives all the other players life. I wish he had three more years.
- Gonzaga held Alabama to 1.11 PPP, which is the highest mark by far this season. That said, Alabama is also the best offense the Zags have faced all season. They didn’t get a whole lot of easy looks. Of course, there were some open threes in there. The Crimson Tide are fantastic at that. However, they had to battle for everything else, and Gonzaga made sure they were on the wrong end of fight.
- This was a gritty-ass win. Gonzaga didn’t shoot the ball particularly well. They left some points at the free throw line. Those two things might be some continual points as the season progresses. As such, this is a vintage Gonzaga squad–one based on grit and hustle more than anything. Granted, more talent of course. And the defense is much much better. But still, vintage in heart and grind.