Tweet
National Post (Canada): Upstarts no more - Gonzaga's basketball success has defined the mid-major movement and put Spokane on the education map. Nice article about the Zags program as well as the Canadian connection.
The Olympian: As usual, Zags gain seasoning
Spokesman-Review: Big man on block - Zags devise strategy to contend with 7-foot-1 Alabi
The Slipper Still Fits (Blog): Will Gonzaga add to the madness? Zags vs. Seminoles
Tallahassee.com: Upsets catch FSU's attention
Tallahassee.com: Scouting the 'Zags
Tampa Bay Online: FSU, Gonzaga won't alter their styles
Seattle Times (Bud Withers): Being a No. 8 seed is a new experience for Gonzaga
Post more if you see 'em!
=GO ZAGS!=
The Olympian: As usual, Zags gain seasoning
Spokesman-Review: Big man on block - Zags devise strategy to contend with 7-foot-1 Alabi
Most schools have trouble simulating Alabi’s presence around the rim, if only because there aren’t that many 7-1, 250-pound backup centers.
Even Gonzaga lacks one. The Bulldogs’ backup post is 7-5 and 270 pounds. That may help them tonight.
“The thing too, that we have, is, they have great shot blockers, but it’s not like our guys haven’t seen size before,” said Gonzaga assistant Leon Rice, who prepared the scout for tonight’s game. “They see Will Foster every single day at practice. He’s a great shot blocker. It’s not like we’ve been playing against 6-5 guys all the time.”
Foster said Thursday he’s done his best this week in practice to simulate what Alabi can do.
Even Gonzaga lacks one. The Bulldogs’ backup post is 7-5 and 270 pounds. That may help them tonight.
“The thing too, that we have, is, they have great shot blockers, but it’s not like our guys haven’t seen size before,” said Gonzaga assistant Leon Rice, who prepared the scout for tonight’s game. “They see Will Foster every single day at practice. He’s a great shot blocker. It’s not like we’ve been playing against 6-5 guys all the time.”
Foster said Thursday he’s done his best this week in practice to simulate what Alabi can do.
Tallahassee.com: Upsets catch FSU's attention
Tallahassee.com: Scouting the 'Zags
Tampa Bay Online: FSU, Gonzaga won't alter their styles
Seattle Times (Bud Withers): Being a No. 8 seed is a new experience for Gonzaga
Last time Gonzaga played in an 8-9 matchup it won, then lost thriller to No. 1 seed Arizona in 2003.
For Zags fans looking for an omen, here are a couple: Like this year, 2003 was one in which Spokane hosted a sub-regional. And if Gonzaga were to survive Buffalo, it would end up back in Salt Lake City.
That's a longshot, but as coach Mark Few points out, the trip to Buffalo isn't a fate unfamiliar to his team. Early in the season, it competed well at Michigan State, won the Maui Invitational, and captured road wins against Illinois (in Chicago) and Memphis.
"Over the course of history," Few said, "we've fared pretty well in this kind of scenario."
The Zags had six road or neutral wins against the RPI top 80. FSU had three.
For Zags fans looking for an omen, here are a couple: Like this year, 2003 was one in which Spokane hosted a sub-regional. And if Gonzaga were to survive Buffalo, it would end up back in Salt Lake City.
That's a longshot, but as coach Mark Few points out, the trip to Buffalo isn't a fate unfamiliar to his team. Early in the season, it competed well at Michigan State, won the Maui Invitational, and captured road wins against Illinois (in Chicago) and Memphis.
"Over the course of history," Few said, "we've fared pretty well in this kind of scenario."
The Zags had six road or neutral wins against the RPI top 80. FSU had three.
=GO ZAGS!=
Comment