GU delivers the blueprint for beating Duke

[Section 116]

I found this interesting. Published in something called the "Sports Quotient" which I stumbled across while surfing for Gonzaga news. Not anything really new here but it's a nice read:

http://thesportsquotient.com/ncaa-bb/2018/11/24/gonzaga-delivers-the-blueprint-for-beating-the-blue-devils

[JPtheBeasta]

The formula:
Lose one of your best players for 8 weeks to an injury
Play two tight ballgames the previous two nights in a row and get extra tired
Lose the free throw battle by double digits for 99% of the game
Shoot 59% from the free throw line
Miss your last 4 free throws that would have iced it

If GU hadn't won this game I would still be in mourning. Everyone is saying that we haven't seen the best of Duke, but we haven't seen the best of the Zags, either. It's pretty awesome that this team was able to knock off such a marquee opponent and hasn't come close to its ceiling.

[MickMick]

Why did Duke lose?

Because Gonzaga is the better team. Duke was damn lucky to get the score close.

[ZagNative]

Wow. That is a good article. Thanks for posting it.

[Zagceo]

good video clips also

bookmarked it...thanks

[MDABE80]

Wow. That is a good article. Thanks for posting it.

I’ll say! From a grandmaster of Chess no less. It’s how he looks at things in all facets!

[kdaleb]

If GU hadn't won this game I would still be in mourning. Everyone is saying that we haven't seen the best of Duke, but we haven't seen the best of the Zags, either. It's pretty awesome that this team was able to knock off such a marquee opponent and hasn't come close to its ceiling.

This.

Duke will be amazing when they put it all together. So will we. Can’t wait for an April rematch.

[Zags11]

You gotta have the players and coach to beat them.

[Birddog]

That was really a good piece, thanks for linking.

[DZ]

Well written analysis.

They specifically note that while many could attempt to do the same, not many have the bigs that the Zags do.

Acknowledging that the Zags are one of maybe 4 teams in the country even able to do what they did is a step.

[jazzdelmar]

Brilliant piece. Add this, Bilas said Zags best D was their O. When the O stalled Dook came on.

[Birddog]

Brilliant piece. Add this, Bilas said Zags best D was their O. When the O stalled Dook came on.

True dat.

[bballbeachbum]

Awesome piece, awesome, my favorite kind

one bone: on Bolden, K used him to protect the paint against the dribble they were forcing vs. all other Zag players on the perimeter (except JJ, also dared to shoot), gambling Rui and BC couldn't hit the 3 imo. the difference is they made those early looks and shook things up; Brandon misses and everyone's maybe saying bad shot
But doesn't look like Bolden lost his man because he's culpable for defensive stupidity or getting lost defensively to me. Since Rui and BC have never proven they're a threat from out there before, makes sense to dare them from deep while positioning to defend them from their strengths with Bolden's, especially on the BC make it's clear imo.
It just didn't work. I tag K with that decision and the Zags mentioned for stepping up to make him pay for it, not defensive lapses by Bolden; he executed what K wanted and maybe K adjusts now if there's a next time.

[bballbeachbum]

Brilliant piece. Add this, Bilas said Zags best D was their O. When the O stalled Dook came on.

yet it was the D that won the game down the stretch interestingly! gotta love the balance there

[23dpg]

The defense suffered when Clarke picked up his 4th foul with 10 minutes left. When he went out of the game is when Duke made their run. Probably not a coincidence.