To Boldly Go Where No Zag Has Gone Before: The FINAL FOUR!

[TravelinZag]

It's here: the wished for, hoped for, debated, debunked and fantasised-about moment of the year -- the Zags are at the door to the Final Four. To enter, they need to take just one step: beat Duke. No Zag team has ever done that, but the formidable hurdle is not insurmountable. Since no good deed goes unpunished, the prize prize for beating Coach K is an appointment next week with Coach Izzo or Coach Pitino. And that is what our fans have wished for through all of the disappointing success of earlier years. To have the Zags playing, and winning, at the level of the most storied programs in college basketball history.

Part of that history in this extended season are career records broken; those thankfully are chronicled in another thread (Thanks, Ekrub). However, the changes in career Zag records in the NCAA Tournament are also astounding. Six current members of this team are already among the top 40 Zags scoring in the tournament, with others also making their mark. Pangos already is the all-time leader in Zag Dance steals and 3-point field goals. He is second is scoring, nine behind the incomparable Adam Morrison, and 5th in assists, needing one to tie David Stockton or three to tie Steven Gray. Gary Bell is now in the top-10 tournament scorers for the Zags. Karno is climbing in multiple categories. All of this quantifies the achievements of this year's team. They are but one win shy a clearly establishing themselves as the best team in program history.

What cannot be quantified is the fun, satisfaction and pride felt by the Zag fans. Nay-sayers aside, we have been given a wondrous season. The nit-pickers should pack their complaints away. Before winding ourselves up for tomorrow's game, take a moment to revel this season, and appreciate those who brought it to us. The errors of these fine men only illustrate how bumpy the road is that they have traveled. At this point, they do not need critiques. They need our thanks, and our continued support. Having the women's team enjoying parallel success just magnifies the joy of the season. A moment's pride, please.

Okay, enough. Once more unto the breach! Zags, play your game! Its your year! Don't let it end! One more! For us, but mostly, for yourselves. There will never be another year like this for you! So pound the door! Burst through! Beat Duke! The FINAL FOUR!


BOLDLY GO WHERE NO ZAG HAS GONE BEFORE

[rennis]

Well said.

Beat Duke!

[Zag365]

Crowd favorite?

I've not seen any comment on how many Zag fans are in Houston compared to Duke fans. I assume we are significantly outnumbered when it comes to families/alums, but what about the crowd in general? Do they favor one team over the other?

[gonzagafan62]

Win or lose tomorrow..... The zags program changes forever

[Chicken Ball]

People wearing powder blue easily outnumbered all other teams' fans, combined. It won't be a friendly crowd Sunday.

[TexasZagFan]

Win or lose tomorrow..... The zags program changes forever

It changed on 3/16/15, with Zach Collins joining the class of '16. It has not gone unnoticed how the Zags develop players: see Turiaf, Olynyk, Sacre, and now Witjer and Karno.

Duke basketball brings in over $30 million a year, 3 times what the Zags generate. Should be a slam dunk, but the Zags will find a way.

[TexasZagFan]

People wearing powder blue easily outnumbered all other teams' fans, combined. It won't be a friendly crowd Sunday.

Perhaps, but local fans will root for the Zags. Texans love the Zags, who will play anybody, anywhere.

[Reborn]

Wow! Great post, Travelinzag! Heartfelt for sure. I feel the same way, brother. Zags are heading into a never before felt atmosphere. To my surprise, I don't see them kickin the door down. They are dancing and smiling, and high five-ing. They are dancing through the doors, and the Zag fans are "dancin in the streets."
I have to have a new song for every game, and this one is "Dancing in the Streets," by Martha and the Vandellas

Dancing In The Streets Lyrics
"Dancing In The Streets" was written by Hunter, Ivy Jo / Gaye, Marvin P / Stevenson, William.

Calling out around the world,
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street.
They're dancing in Chicago,
Down in New Orleans,
In New York City.

All we need is music, sweet music.
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
Dancing in the street.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
Just as long as you are there.
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
Everywhere around the world
They'll be dancing.
They're dancing in the street.

It's an invitation across the nation,
A chance for folks to meet.
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging,
Dancing in the street.
Philadelphia, P.A.
Baltimore and D.C. now.
Can't forget the Motor City.

All we need is music, sweet music.
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
Dancing in the street.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
Just as long as you are there.
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
Everywhere around the world
They're dancing.
They're dancing in the street.

Way down in L.A. ev'ry day,
They're dancing in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
Let's form a big, strong line, get in time,
We're dancing in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
Across the ocean blue, me and you,
We're dancing in the street.

[TexasZagFan]

Wow! Great post, Travelinzag! Heartfelt for sure. I feel the same way, brother. Zags are heading into a never before felt atmosphere. To my surprise, I don't see them kickin the door down. They are dancing and smiling, and high five-ing. They are dancing through the doors, and the Zag fans are "dancin in the streets."
I have to have a new song for every game, and this one is "Dancing in the Streets," by Martha and the Vandellas

Dancing In The Streets Lyrics
"Dancing In The Streets" was written by Hunter, Ivy Jo / Gaye, Marvin P / Stevenson, William.

Calling out around the world,
Are you ready for a brand new beat?
Summer's here and the time is right
For dancing in the street.
They're dancing in Chicago,
Down in New Orleans,
In New York City.

All we need is music, sweet music.
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
Dancing in the street.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
Just as long as you are there.
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
Everywhere around the world
They'll be dancing.
They're dancing in the street.

It's an invitation across the nation,
A chance for folks to meet.
There'll be laughing, singing, and music swinging,
Dancing in the street.
Philadelphia, P.A.
Baltimore and D.C. now.
Can't forget the Motor City.

All we need is music, sweet music.
There'll be music everywhere.
There'll be swinging and swaying and records playing,
Dancing in the street.
Oh, it doesn't matter what you wear,
Just as long as you are there.
So come on, every guy, grab a girl.
Everywhere around the world
They're dancing.
They're dancing in the street.

Way down in L.A. ev'ry day,
They're dancing in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
Let's form a big, strong line, get in time,
We're dancing in the street.
(Dancing in the street.)
Across the ocean blue, me and you,
We're dancing in the street.

Slight edit recommended: replace "Motor City", with "Inland Empire."