It's sure late, but I don't think I'll be able to sleep for a while after that thriller.
Anyway, some early press reports are out, including:
Photo of #4, Kevin Pangos, from the game (see album link below):
John Blanchette's column:
Jim Meehan:
Spokesman-Review Photo Album for the Game
NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press
Anyway, some early press reports are out, including:
Photo of #4, Kevin Pangos, from the game (see album link below):
John Blanchette's column:
Still, even the Bulldogs were so agog at the display of marksmanship and moxie staged by Pangos, their prized Canadian import, that they pretty much shut it down about five minutes early and had to sweat out an 89-81 victory over Washington State at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
It had no business being that close, really. But then, it probably had no business being a 21-point laugher with 12 minutes to play, either.
Yet this is what happens when starts stroking like, well, like no freshman ever really has around here.
Thirty-three points. No Zag in memory fresh out of high school – not a Morrison, not a McPhee, not a Stepp – has so exploded onto the scene this way. Matt Santangelo had a 28-point night as a freshman, but it was late in the season – not a national TV almost-debut.
Nine 3-pointers. That’s a school record, tying a couple of similar efforts by Dan Dickau, so now you’re moving into Gonzaga legend territory.
It had no business being that close, really. But then, it probably had no business being a 21-point laugher with 12 minutes to play, either.
Yet this is what happens when starts stroking like, well, like no freshman ever really has around here.
Thirty-three points. No Zag in memory fresh out of high school – not a Morrison, not a McPhee, not a Stepp – has so exploded onto the scene this way. Matt Santangelo had a 28-point night as a freshman, but it was late in the season – not a national TV almost-debut.
Nine 3-pointers. That’s a school record, tying a couple of similar efforts by Dan Dickau, so now you’re moving into Gonzaga legend territory.
“For you guys it might be surprising,” said Gonzaga forward Elias Harris, who along with center Robert Sacre came through with double-doubles that helped hold off the Cougars down the stretch, “but I see it every day.
“Kevin, Gary, Moenninghoff – our perimeter in general, they can really shoot, and it’s so helpful. It makes Rob’s life, Sam Dower’s life, (Ryan) Spangler’s life and my life so much easier. It’s incredible to have those cats on the team.
“Last year, that was lacking in our team, at least consistently. It’s not lacking anymore.”
And yet it wasn’t just the shooting. Pangos had six assists and only a couple of turnover hiccups. Bell, who looked rushed and frustrated in GU’s exhibition and opener, was far more assured against the Cougar traps.
“Kevin, Gary, Moenninghoff – our perimeter in general, they can really shoot, and it’s so helpful. It makes Rob’s life, Sam Dower’s life, (Ryan) Spangler’s life and my life so much easier. It’s incredible to have those cats on the team.
“Last year, that was lacking in our team, at least consistently. It’s not lacking anymore.”
And yet it wasn’t just the shooting. Pangos had six assists and only a couple of turnover hiccups. Bell, who looked rushed and frustrated in GU’s exhibition and opener, was far more assured against the Cougar traps.
Freshman Pangos scores 33 to sparks Zags past Cougs
Kevin Pangos, the nation. The nation, Kevin Pangos.
Gonzaga’s freshman guard hit nine 3-pointers and scored 33 points, sparking the Bulldogs past rival Washington State 89-81 Monday night in front of 6,000 at the McCarthey Athletic Center and a nationwide audience on ESPN.
Pangos, making his first start, put on a show from the outset, burying two 3s in the first 95 seconds to give Gonzaga a lead it would never relinquish. He had six 3s in the first half and finished 9 of 13 from long distance, tying Dan Dickau’s school record.
“It was special,” said Pangos, who also handed out six assists and made 6 of 6 free throws. “It felt great, but it’s just nice to get the win. We’re 2-0 and we’re trying to get build a great season.”
Kevin Pangos, the nation. The nation, Kevin Pangos.
Gonzaga’s freshman guard hit nine 3-pointers and scored 33 points, sparking the Bulldogs past rival Washington State 89-81 Monday night in front of 6,000 at the McCarthey Athletic Center and a nationwide audience on ESPN.
Pangos, making his first start, put on a show from the outset, burying two 3s in the first 95 seconds to give Gonzaga a lead it would never relinquish. He had six 3s in the first half and finished 9 of 13 from long distance, tying Dan Dickau’s school record.
“It was special,” said Pangos, who also handed out six assists and made 6 of 6 free throws. “It felt great, but it’s just nice to get the win. We’re 2-0 and we’re trying to get build a great season.”
“That was one heck of a game,’ Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “I thought we were really in attack mode from the jump. We weathered some really serious storms throughout and we kind of outlasted them. It was definitely a pretty high level performance offensively from both teams.”
“We call him ‘The Machine’,” said Sacre, who finished with 15 points, 10 boards and three blocks, a couple key swats in the last few minutes. “He’s like a vending machine. You know what you’re getting when you put a coin in.”
NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS, Associated Press
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Gonzaga freshman guard Kevin Pangos has met Bulldogs legend Dan Dickau several times this season.
Next time they meet they will have plenty to talk about.
Pangos tied Dickau's school record with nine 3-pointers and finished with 33 points as No. 22 Gonzaga beat Washington State 89-81 on Monday night.
"I was just feeling it and got some open looks," said Pangos, a native of Newmarket, Ontario. He was 9 of 13 from 3-point range to tie the record set by Dickau, who hit nine 3s twice.
"I didn't know Dan held it," Pangos said of the record.
Coach Mark Few said the coaching staff have been on Pangos to shoot more.
"That's not a fluke," Few said. "Anytime he shoots it, it's a pretty good thing for us. He's got to realize that's his role for us."
Next time they meet they will have plenty to talk about.
Pangos tied Dickau's school record with nine 3-pointers and finished with 33 points as No. 22 Gonzaga beat Washington State 89-81 on Monday night.
"I was just feeling it and got some open looks," said Pangos, a native of Newmarket, Ontario. He was 9 of 13 from 3-point range to tie the record set by Dickau, who hit nine 3s twice.
"I didn't know Dan held it," Pangos said of the record.
Coach Mark Few said the coaching staff have been on Pangos to shoot more.
"That's not a fluke," Few said. "Anytime he shoots it, it's a pretty good thing for us. He's got to realize that's his role for us."
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