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Let’s put a few things in perspective. The once “little school that could” has turned into a very well recognized basketball power. We’ve become the major mid-major. Many discussions and threads have come forth about getting the best shots from the opposition. It use to be getting the best shots from the WCC, now all teams circle the dates when the Zags take the floor. Not to mention the fans come out in droves for the contests.
The WCC games see near sell outs, although many are Zag faithful and many want to see the traveling road show – Gonzaga Basketball. Usually, the only sell out for the WCC teams all year. Special pricing and ticket options revolve around the Zag visit to their confines. This “cult” program, from a once unheard of school from Spokane, has risen to the forefront of the college hoop arena.
Last week was a shining example of all the above.
The SCU game proved to be the “community bonding game” for the Broncos. Fans, alumni, sponsors and the school united and cherished their day in the spotlight on ESPNU for taking the Zags to task. They stormed the court after a victory over an un-rated second place team in the WCC. Good for SCU, enjoy the moment.
The USF game - the event of the year at War Memorial. A smallish student section, some empty overpriced reserved seats untaken due to a foolish sales strategy and the GA stuffed with Zag faithful and local SF folk taking in the Zag road show. It was a very entertaining game, ups, downs, technical fouls, back and forth.
I found it very interesting; as I looked at the past history for the Dons on banners hanging above. The Dons with two NCAA titles, another Final Four, a WCC Championship in 1998 and a NIT Championship. I witnessed another storming of the court for the second year in a row. This is very ironic for a team with a stellar history, although long ago, taking down the second place, unrated Zags. Again, hats off to USF for their moment in the sun.
The SCU game was within reach, however, hacked by a pace of call after call and a player having his way with a career game. A basic train wreck in the making from about the 8 minute left mark in the second half.
The USF game was not played with lack of hustle nor intensity. I saw the Zags fighting to the finish with clutch shots to keep our chances alive. The players along with Few and staff were doing all they could to pull it off.
So, here we are; a young team with immense talent. A team that is just does not quite understanding the pressure of holding up to the status created by our recent history. It’s not simply taking the best shots anymore; it’s taking a full throttle assault and desire to take down the “cult hoops show” of Gonzaga.
As for our team, the determining factor will be what we become, sounds just like the mantra for Gonzaga on the academic side. “The true measure of a Jesuit education,” said former Superior General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, “is not what our students do, but who they become.”
Let’s just see what we become. I suspect they will do us proud in the balance of the WCC schedule. Las Vegas is going to be the first WCC Tournament in some time that will have meaning beyond winning the WCC Tournament.
Go Zags!
The WCC games see near sell outs, although many are Zag faithful and many want to see the traveling road show – Gonzaga Basketball. Usually, the only sell out for the WCC teams all year. Special pricing and ticket options revolve around the Zag visit to their confines. This “cult” program, from a once unheard of school from Spokane, has risen to the forefront of the college hoop arena.
Last week was a shining example of all the above.
The SCU game proved to be the “community bonding game” for the Broncos. Fans, alumni, sponsors and the school united and cherished their day in the spotlight on ESPNU for taking the Zags to task. They stormed the court after a victory over an un-rated second place team in the WCC. Good for SCU, enjoy the moment.
The USF game - the event of the year at War Memorial. A smallish student section, some empty overpriced reserved seats untaken due to a foolish sales strategy and the GA stuffed with Zag faithful and local SF folk taking in the Zag road show. It was a very entertaining game, ups, downs, technical fouls, back and forth.
I found it very interesting; as I looked at the past history for the Dons on banners hanging above. The Dons with two NCAA titles, another Final Four, a WCC Championship in 1998 and a NIT Championship. I witnessed another storming of the court for the second year in a row. This is very ironic for a team with a stellar history, although long ago, taking down the second place, unrated Zags. Again, hats off to USF for their moment in the sun.
The SCU game was within reach, however, hacked by a pace of call after call and a player having his way with a career game. A basic train wreck in the making from about the 8 minute left mark in the second half.
The USF game was not played with lack of hustle nor intensity. I saw the Zags fighting to the finish with clutch shots to keep our chances alive. The players along with Few and staff were doing all they could to pull it off.
So, here we are; a young team with immense talent. A team that is just does not quite understanding the pressure of holding up to the status created by our recent history. It’s not simply taking the best shots anymore; it’s taking a full throttle assault and desire to take down the “cult hoops show” of Gonzaga.
As for our team, the determining factor will be what we become, sounds just like the mantra for Gonzaga on the academic side. “The true measure of a Jesuit education,” said former Superior General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, “is not what our students do, but who they become.”
Let’s just see what we become. I suspect they will do us proud in the balance of the WCC schedule. Las Vegas is going to be the first WCC Tournament in some time that will have meaning beyond winning the WCC Tournament.
Go Zags!
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