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From Yahoo! CBB Sports Blog:
Gonzaga Bulldogs (8). It's tough to pick so many 8/9 participants as sleeper candidates-especially since 1-seeds haven't lost in the first weekend in six years-but we've got a crop of teams that are absolutely capable of getting to the Sweet 16. Consider Gonzaga: horribly under-seeded, much tougher and durable in the paint than it was last year and not a pound of pressure on its back, for once. Sure Gonzaga is somewhat expected to play up to its role every season, but it's no longer looked at as The Cinderella or The Overachiever. Mark Few's recruiting is too good not to, at least, reach an Elite Eight again. There's enough balance on this year's team to make a run and the Bulldogs can absolutely defeat Syracuse if Arinze Onuaku can't go. (Yes, I've now posted about the possibility Syracuse could lose in both the first and second round this year. Send the hate mail, if you must.) Plus, playing in Buffalo against Florida State isn't going to make a difference because Gonzaga gets a night game Friday. Quick evaluation on FSU against Gonzaga: We like the Zags because FSU's strength is its interior defense. Bulldogs have no problem scoring from the outside, led by Matt Bouldin, and Robert Sacre should be able to give 7-1 Seminoles center Soloman Alabi a gamer's game, which is something Alabi hasn't seen much this year.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (8). It's tough to pick so many 8/9 participants as sleeper candidates-especially since 1-seeds haven't lost in the first weekend in six years-but we've got a crop of teams that are absolutely capable of getting to the Sweet 16. Consider Gonzaga: horribly under-seeded, much tougher and durable in the paint than it was last year and not a pound of pressure on its back, for once. Sure Gonzaga is somewhat expected to play up to its role every season, but it's no longer looked at as The Cinderella or The Overachiever. Mark Few's recruiting is too good not to, at least, reach an Elite Eight again. There's enough balance on this year's team to make a run and the Bulldogs can absolutely defeat Syracuse if Arinze Onuaku can't go. (Yes, I've now posted about the possibility Syracuse could lose in both the first and second round this year. Send the hate mail, if you must.) Plus, playing in Buffalo against Florida State isn't going to make a difference because Gonzaga gets a night game Friday. Quick evaluation on FSU against Gonzaga: We like the Zags because FSU's strength is its interior defense. Bulldogs have no problem scoring from the outside, led by Matt Bouldin, and Robert Sacre should be able to give 7-1 Seminoles center Soloman Alabi a gamer's game, which is something Alabi hasn't seen much this year.
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