JoeZag
03-09-2010, 09:14 AM
Last night's game put a few things into perspective for me. In a nutshell, it was abundantly clear that the two teams playing were headed in opposite directions. Despite some horrible officiating and chippy play from St Mary's, the better team 'last night' won.
- SMC is playing its best basketball of the year and is clearly playing with a great deal of confidence. They are getting all of the 'lucky' bounces (and breaks from the officials) and their kids are playing above their talent level. They shot lights out last night when left alone (which was far too often) and they played with great energy on offense and defense. Bravo to them!
- Gonzaga is limping toward the finish of the season (and has been). They played their best basketball months ago. They are not playing with confidence and they are getting all of the 'unlucky' breaks (like Manny's foot, Steve's injuries and Matt's injuries). Their kids are playing below their talent level right now, but for good reason in a lot of cases.
--I think that Elias has hit a 'wall' due to all of the games that he has played in the last 12 months. He clearly does not have the same energy and fire that he did early in the year.
--Steve was playing his best ball of the year and he almost single-handedly won the LMU semi, but the next day is always the worst with injuries like the ones he sustained. Adrenaline can cover up a lot of pain and discomfort.
--There is obviously something seriously wrong with Matt. He hasn't looked himself for weeks and couldn't even muster a great game on Senior night against far inferior competition. This reminds me of the 'Great Heytvelt Coverup' during Josh's junior year when he played with a broken foot and people doubted his heart and ability. Matt has been terrible (by his usual standards) the last several games. I don't know if it is the back, the hand, the ankles or a combination but he just isn't right. Hopefully he can heal up in time for the Dance, but he doesn't look good right now. We will probably find out after the season what was really going on.
Right now Big Rob is the only one on the team capable of playing to his early season level. The rest of the team needs to get rested up and mentally refreshed. They need 2 or 3 days of complete down time, not a whipping as some have suggested. When this team is healthy and playing with passion and energy, they are easily one of the top ten teams in America. I watch dozens of games a week and few teams compare to the 'Good Zags'. On the other hand, when they are disinterested (I don't think that was the case last night by the way) or injured or mentally out of it they are the 'Bad Zags' and can lose to virtually anybody. I think they are someplace in between right now. The season has taken its toll mentally and physically, especially for a guy like Matt who plays so many minutes. The loss of Manny did some mental damage as well as physical and I don't know if there is time for this team to put it all back together again. I hope and pray that they can, but right now it is looking like a first or second round exit. Despite the fact that SMU is heading in the more positive direction, I think that their lack of physical talent will catch up with them and they will suffer much the same fate. So at the end of the day, last night's loss really doesn't mean much at all. We need some magical 'healing hands' laid upon our Zags to get them right. Go Zags! Rest, Recover, Rebound and Rise Again!!
- SMC is playing its best basketball of the year and is clearly playing with a great deal of confidence. They are getting all of the 'lucky' bounces (and breaks from the officials) and their kids are playing above their talent level. They shot lights out last night when left alone (which was far too often) and they played with great energy on offense and defense. Bravo to them!
- Gonzaga is limping toward the finish of the season (and has been). They played their best basketball months ago. They are not playing with confidence and they are getting all of the 'unlucky' breaks (like Manny's foot, Steve's injuries and Matt's injuries). Their kids are playing below their talent level right now, but for good reason in a lot of cases.
--I think that Elias has hit a 'wall' due to all of the games that he has played in the last 12 months. He clearly does not have the same energy and fire that he did early in the year.
--Steve was playing his best ball of the year and he almost single-handedly won the LMU semi, but the next day is always the worst with injuries like the ones he sustained. Adrenaline can cover up a lot of pain and discomfort.
--There is obviously something seriously wrong with Matt. He hasn't looked himself for weeks and couldn't even muster a great game on Senior night against far inferior competition. This reminds me of the 'Great Heytvelt Coverup' during Josh's junior year when he played with a broken foot and people doubted his heart and ability. Matt has been terrible (by his usual standards) the last several games. I don't know if it is the back, the hand, the ankles or a combination but he just isn't right. Hopefully he can heal up in time for the Dance, but he doesn't look good right now. We will probably find out after the season what was really going on.
Right now Big Rob is the only one on the team capable of playing to his early season level. The rest of the team needs to get rested up and mentally refreshed. They need 2 or 3 days of complete down time, not a whipping as some have suggested. When this team is healthy and playing with passion and energy, they are easily one of the top ten teams in America. I watch dozens of games a week and few teams compare to the 'Good Zags'. On the other hand, when they are disinterested (I don't think that was the case last night by the way) or injured or mentally out of it they are the 'Bad Zags' and can lose to virtually anybody. I think they are someplace in between right now. The season has taken its toll mentally and physically, especially for a guy like Matt who plays so many minutes. The loss of Manny did some mental damage as well as physical and I don't know if there is time for this team to put it all back together again. I hope and pray that they can, but right now it is looking like a first or second round exit. Despite the fact that SMU is heading in the more positive direction, I think that their lack of physical talent will catch up with them and they will suffer much the same fate. So at the end of the day, last night's loss really doesn't mean much at all. We need some magical 'healing hands' laid upon our Zags to get them right. Go Zags! Rest, Recover, Rebound and Rise Again!!