The Gonzaga Bulldogs needed to win by 13 points to advance to the championship game in the Players Era Tournament. They did that, and then some, walloping Maryland, 100-61, to earn the right to face Michigan on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. PT, on TNT.
- If Gonzaga is hitting threes, good luck to the opponent. The Zags shot 14-of-33 from long range. Emmanuel Innocenti was 5-of-7 and Steele Venters was 4-of-7. We shouldn’t expect this sort of barrage night in and night out. But, if Gonzaga is hitting threes at a decent clip, I’m not really sure how a team can beat them–barring a complete breakdown defensively. The frontcourt of Graham Ike and Braden Huff is good enough to carry the squad on its own without outside shooting. When the shooters are shooting? Good luck.
- I haven’t done the math or scanned every single roster in college, but I am feeling fine in saying that the Zags have the best frontcourt in the nation. Ike cooled down a bit, finishing with “just” 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, and the trademark Ike flagrant foul. Huff dropped 20 points off of 9-of-10 shooting in 24 minutes. Absolutely nuts.
- Davis Fogle came in during garbage time and scored eight points in six minutes. The freshman can definitely score and clearly operates on the modus operandi “you miss all shots you don’t take.” I want him to make an impact this season but I’m still just unsure how Few and the coaching staff are able to carve out meaningful minutes for him considering everyone on the roster. With that said, I wouldn’t be surprised if he leads the team in scoring next season.
- After touting the defense on basically every occasion, this is the game that the offense truly shined. The Zags scored 1.45 PPP, outscored Maryland 44-22 in the paint, dealt 30 assists on 37 made field goals (!!!), and the depth was clearly there–the bench dropped 51 points. That is the beauty of a defensive-oriented squad. When the offense performs a bit better than expected, you earn 30 point wins.
- Maryland’s Darius Adams looks like his head is flying off his spinal column with the slightest touch of all opponents. His acting job all game was supreme.
- Ike’s flagrant foul was a bit weak–even Greg Anthony agreed. Innocenti, on the other hand, earned his by blowing a kiss to the Maryland bench directly in front of the ref. Few and the coaching staff were understandably not too impressed.
- After the Alabama win, Mark Few said about Mario Saint-Supery, “we’re still ironing out those crazy-ass jump passes.” Saint-Supery doesn’t care and did one again, and I feel like we will most likely see around one a game for the rest of the season.
- Spirits are riding high! The Zags will face Michigan in the championship tomorrow. The Wolverines hold the top defense in the nation according to KenPom, 90.5 to Gonzaga’s 92.3 The offense goes in Gonzaga’s favor, 125.1 to Michigan’s 121.1. The game is going to be close and is going to be a grinder.
so much for the best front court in the nation