Tonight, it's about D, pure & simple.

[tyra]

The 51st game in the streak comes down to D. We can talk all we want about Micah having a breakout game, or Pendo or Matt scoring more yahdeyahda. But it will be about D. We beat SMC because of a superb D effort. I went to the
UW-Stanford game last night and the UW won because of D. And we will win tonight against SC if we bring our "A" D game.

[CDC84]

Re:

Gonzaga is going to have a real tough time defending their bigs tonight. The Zags did a really good job of doubling Sanham, which they were able to do because SMC doesn't shoot the 3 ball well. The problem is that SCU has 2 big guys....so GU just can't focus on one. Plus they have two perimeter players in Pariseau and Dougherty that shoot 40%+ from behind the arc.

The Zags not only need to play solid team D, they also need to block out and secure rebounds. The Broncos have a +5 rebounding margin against their opponents.

[wazZag]

Rebounding is obviously going to be difficult tonight, hopefully we can wear out SCU's big men by running to no end. It's obviously not a preferred strategy, but with the position we find ourselves in it might work.

[madness]

From the SCU games I have watched this season (and last) (Air Force, Stanford, St. Mary's, GU, etc...) the big man Bryant has a very bad tendency to bring the ball down as he jostles for position.

We have seen our guards trained to knock the ball out on big men who do this (Bouldin, Pargo, PMAC are exceptionally skilled) and they will need to collapse from the weak side swipe at will. Dennison does a better job of keeping the ball high but he is not as much of a load and Mallon should be able to handle him. Kuson on Bryant will need some help though.

[SpudDawg]

Does this mean playing time for Burgess?

He's a big body, with five fouls and minutes to spare.

[wazZag]

Burgess might be worse on the offensive end than Kuso, but he is a big body, and he has fouls to give.

[thickman1]

Rebounding is about effort - sure it helps to be the tallest dude on the court but if you find a body to block out and go hard for the ball good things will happen. Don't get caught "watching" the action. BE the action. I'm looking forward to tonights game. I'd like to see the continuing evolution of the rotation in Josh's absence. Can't wait.

As for Burgess, he won't play. He doesn't get in the game during garbage minutes so why would he get meaningful minutes in a game like this?

[wazZag]

Thickman: that analysis presumes that we'll stay the same course as we have in previous games. It is possible, without JH that we'll just increase time for the F's like Pendo and Downs, but I think if the rebounding margin gets bad enough Few will have some difficult choices to make. Hopefully we're not put in that position though.

[AllezZags]

SCU's bigs are just that....BIG (not much else)

I'm sorry, but SCU's bigs dont scare me at all. they are very average. A few Pargo and Bouldin drives to the hoop to get them in foul trouble (or, at least off balance)- and we'll be looking good. Sure the D is important, but its not the bigs I am worried about- more the fact that other teams guards seem to shoot lights out when we sag down on average post players. I am more than willing to let Sean, Pendo and Kuso and whomever play their bigs straight up.

I think it is more important that we attack the rim regularly to open up the outside shot, rather than settling for shooting over the top. Let's dictate the pace and style of play, rather than have it dictated to us.

[thickman1]

Thickman: that analysis presumes that we'll stay the same course as we have in previous games. It is possible, without JH that we'll just increase time for the F's like Pendo and Downs, but I think if the rebounding margin gets bad enough Few will have some difficult choices to make. Hopefully we're not put in that position though.

I think that if we assume Josh will be out that you'll see what we saw on Saturday. Micah will get more minutes and Pendo will start to shoot the ball more. I just don't see how Burgess and/or Foster would be called upon to help the team now when they never got in the games prior to the suspension. I envision more of a quicker lineup that'll pressure out top to try and take the onus off of Kuso and Mallon in the key.

[thickman1]

I'm sorry, but SCU's bigs dont scare me at all. they are very average. A few Pargo and Bouldin drives to the hoop to get them in foul trouble (or, at least off balance)- and we'll be looking good. Sure the D is important, but its not the bigs I am worried about- more the fact that other teams guards seem to shoot lights out when we sag down on average post players. I am more than willing to let Sean, Pendo and Kuso and whomever play their bigs straight up.

I think it is more important that we attack the rim regularly to open up the outside shot, rather than settling for shooting over the top. Let's dictate the pace and style of play, rather than have it dictated to us.

I agree with AllezZags in that the SCU big aren't that intimidating. You can push the tempo to take Bryant out of the game. Denison is the guy you need to worry about but not so much that you take the focus off Henke, Angley, and Pariseau. Guarding the 3 is still the key.

[TheZagPhish]

Let's draw fouls! It's fun AND helpful!

I agree with AllezZags - The SCU bigs are not terribly menacing. With aggressive to-the-rim offense and swarming D we can get the pace and momentum we need.

We could use a huge Kuso blocking night tonight; in fact he should become a blocking specialist. It would also be very good to get their bigs in some foul trouble early. Didn't we get Bryant in some early foul trouble last time we played?

On that note, I always loved the way Erroll would pull the chair out from under his big man posting up. He sent so many of those guys to the floor with a foul instead of the bucket. Can't he teach Kuso or Pendo that cool trick? Josh did it spot-on in one game this season and I jumped out of my chair with excitement.

[TheZagPhish]

Sorry for the double post...

Not sure what happened....

[RebornZag]

Our guard play is the key

If we are shooting well tonight and can play with four guards then SCU'w bigs will not be a problem. I think that is why Samhan didn't play as much this time against us....they had a match up problem when he was in the game. We do have great guards/small forwards: Drav, Pargo, Bouldin, Downs. These four guards, I believe, could play for any team in the country, and would all start for any team in the WCC. Three of them are pretty good rebounders as well: Pargo, Bouldin and Downs. And Drav has had moments also.

I agree with others, that rebounding will be the key. If we can rebound with them we will win. I also think we need to attack the basket like we did at Stanford and get those Big's in trouble. ATTACK THE RIM........