Some of your favorite thoughts/ memories of Stockton, Dower and Barham

[Zags11]

Barham, he has just a sweet stroke from 3. Pretty as a rembrandt picture. Fit in with Gonzaga very well.

Sammy D. He finally got the starting role and as used it like a True Vet would. Silky smooth like a spiders web.
He has one of the best shots for a big man here...ever.

Little David. Mighty Mouse. He has the heart of a 14 foot man. Courage of many men. True zag. He has stepped up huge this yr.

Again,

Thank You Seniors.

[Reborn]

Some of your favorite thoughts/ memories of Stockton, Dower and Barham

Because it's Senior Night Saturday, I thought it's be cool to have a thread on our three Seniors who'll be leaving after this year. I always hve liked Senior Night because I feel it's important to remember all the great and wonderful things about the guys who have played at GU.

I'll go with David first. From the beginning I was so curious about David because he was John Stockton's son, but also because he was a walk on. I remember being one of the few bloggers here who felt that David could possibly make it as a Zag. I remember watching him play as a sub, and how whenever he would go into the game the Zags seemed to go on a run. He added so much energy off the bench, and was a great passer like his dad. I can't remember who it was against, but I remember David winning a very important conference game by hitting a 3 pointer at the buzzer off a busted play. David never could shoot the 3 until this year; so it was xtra special. I will always remember him because he's such a great role model of what a person can do if he sets his mind to it and believes in himself. He has almost always been a player who gave it 100% all the time, and that I have always admired about him. I will always remember this year because he has really stepped up offensively when needed. He has proven he can score, and that he has earned his role as a starter on this Zag team.

I remember Sam playing in the his very first game. It was an exhibition game, and he led the Zags in scoring. I think he had around 19. He has always been a great shooter and has never had any fear of putting up a shot. I appreciate what he has given GU so much. He's the kind of player that could have left GU to go to another program. But he decided to stay at GU and play behind guys like Robert Sacre, Kelly Olynyk and Ellias Harris. He was patient and waited for his time. And wow! What a great year he is having, leading the Zags in scoring in conference play. I'll never forget his game winning, last second shot this year against Santa Clara @ Santa Clara. And to top it off it was a three pointer. I remember how excited Kerry Keating was in the huddle during their last huddle as a team before Dower's game winner. He really thought he (Keating) had us. And who can forget the number of times that Sam had outstanding games against St. Marys coming off the bench. I am so proud of how he has become the great player that he always knew he could be.

And finally we honor Drew Barham who like the other two Seniors, has had a great season, and he showed us all that he is one heck of a great shooter. He was perhaps the one who saved our season this year. After Dower and Bell got injured it was Barham who stepped up the most, imo, and of course David Stockton's terrific offensive game against Santa Clara at Gonzaga. Because I love the 3 pt shot, I have completely appreciated Drew's Ninja shooting eye. The Zags have had such a wonderful season so far, and what I'll always remember about it, is how guys like Drew really stepped up to show the world what it means to be a Zag. I really doubt of there are many programs can boast what these guys did. How many teams could lose two of their 3 top scorers and win six games and lose one without them. We can certainly see what has happened to Oklahoma City and even Michigan St to some extent. And what irks me, is that Gonzaga has never been given the creidt for what they did this year. But like David Stockton said in that interview after the game last night, like many of some of the best Gonzaga teams the team likes to be under the radar.

Thank you David, Sam and Drew for all you have given to me, and to the community of Gonzaga University. Now let's go forward with even better memories. The best is yet to come.

Go Zags!!!

[zag67]

Thanks Reborn, super comments. I also want to thank them for the efforts they have put out on and off the court. Dave would have not been where he is without many hours in the weight rooms and practice court. Sam for all of the work these four years leading up to this year. Playing behind the other stars and working hard enough to be there this year. And then Barham for all of the work he has done on the rest of his game to give us many more great minutes.

Thanks to all of you, your teammates and your coaches. You have all worked to give us another great year of GU basketball.

[gonzagafan62]

I am so proud of this team no matter what happens next. The adversity these seniors have gone through has been unreal. I am very glad we have had these three guys on this team extending our streak of 20 wins for another 16th consecutive year.

My Favorite moments:

Sam Dower Jr. - This might be the overwhelming favorite, but when Sam took that shot against Santa Clara, I about freaked until the shot went in. That was so amazing. I really appreciated what he did for us in the West Virginia game as well as what he accomplished last year too. I don't think we get to a #1 ranking without Sam Dower too. His constant rotation status in his first years as a Zag really helped him as he became a senior this year. His leadership and never wanting to quit has bailed this team out tremendously this year.

David Stockton - When I think of David Stockton, I think of John being in the stands. Those were always precious moments when he first walked on to GU. He has become a stealing machine much like his father, and his big game last night will be one I never forget. He has brought so much enthusiasm and fight and grit to this team that was so crucial to this team. David, I thank you my man.

Drew Barham - I will always remember him as the 3 point specialist. Shooter only. I will always remember his game this year at the Kennel vs Wazzou. His 5 three's game was just incredible. I was going bonkers. Always great to see one of our guys step up against Wazzou. Mutual respect, but I think we are starting to develop a thing for laying the 3 bomb on Wazzou in the K2. That was purely remarkable.

Thank you seniors, I appreciate all you did. Hopefully we will make this team last awhile in March. This team has been very special to me. And its pretty close to last years team, and the 99. Its up there. Go Zags!

[Zags11]

All good. I can't believe Sr night is upon us. Have we ever been on road after Sr night for 4 games (not counting post season WCC/NCAA)?

[GoZags]

My favorite memories of Sam and David come from the year they were redshirts. I attended practice, and the two of them were out on the floor, working together long before the rest of the team (i.e. the "real" team that year .... came out).

I believe I posted at the time .... these two kids appeared to have bonded .... and formed their own version of "Stockton and Malone".

I recall it being questioned whether or not an unrecruited (by others) David Stockton would ever see the floor and get meaningful minutes. I believed (from that early practice) that he would.

It's been a joy to watch David and Sam, and Drew coming into the fold has been a blessing as well.

Good luck to our "Senior" leaders. Hope they have a long run in them, and that they can be remembered for accomplishing something very special in March (and April). GoZags

[Reborn]

I'm also remembering about all the discussion last summer about this year's Zag team. A lot of posters where wondering how this year's team could ever replace the points of Kelly and Elias. I remember being one who felt the Zags could produce equal offensive numbers to last years team. And I felt Sam would have a great senior year because most Zags do. And I had no idea it would be this good. He has improved so much since the last few years. I know he put in alot of work over the summer.

[Zags11]

Sam and David do seem to have this special connection. Pretty awesome.

[Vanzagger]

Thanks guys. Enjoy your night. I'm sure the KC will send you off in style. But more importantly, send yourselves off in style.

[Zag 77]

Don't forget Brian Bhaskar

He is also a senior. All good teams need the unheralded walk-ons who almost never get any attention.

[former1dog]

Dower's break out game on the road versus Xavier.

[gonzagafan62]

He is also a senior. All good teams need the unheralded walk-ons who almost never get any attention.

That's right! Is he going to start Saturday?

[jim77]

3 classy and talented players....whose greatest college game may yet be ahead of them. Just a hoot to watch these fellas lace it up...GREAT JOB GUYS!

[DZ]

the fact that sam is the last big that can hit a fifteen foot jumper

barham doesn't miss in wcc

david has improved more than any player over 4 years

[former1dog]

My favorite thought about Barham is that this season, anytime he shoots an open shot, I think its going in.