Moment too big for the bench

[cggonzaga]

Just think what this team will be 3 months from now. Rui and Larsen were ok and Norvell was not. Great learning experience for these guys. Now they know what big time college basketball is. On the other hand, I would put our starting 5 up against anybody in the country right now. This is easily an elite 8 team at worst.

[Zagceo]

5 points from the bench

[Goshzagit]

5 points from the bench

Norvell incredibly disappointing thus far.

Forces everything, unsure of his role, and doesn't bring anything to the floor but untimely shots, out of control drives, and selfish plays....

Pretty much the exact opposite of a bench player's role.

Watch the game, let it come to you, find your niche, then do you.

Not try to go off.

He is rushing everything.

Hope he figures it out. This team really needs a scoring punch off the bench.

[tummydoc]

Norvell was off. Would have preferred trying Larsen at center with Williams as pf in second OT, but we've got fee months to figure it out. We sure looked better than a 17 team.

[Pleasant Peninsula]

Kispert was terrible on defense in several crucial possessions this game. I realize now this comment may be OT, because he's a starter, but I needed to point this out somewhere.

[FuManShoes]

Ugh, was about to post the same. Last year we came in waves thanks in large part to our lottery pick 6th man. This year we’ve got bench guys with hype but a ways to go. I’m really hoping Rui isn’t Bol. I thought he’d show us more by now but Few and the coaches know of what they spreak when they say he’s a year away, which will be a shame since we could be FF good with a credible bench.

[cggonzaga]

Ugh, was about to post the same. Last year we came in waves thanks in large part to our lottery pick 6th man. This year we’ve got bench guys with hype but a ways to go. I’m really hoping Rui isn’t Bol. I thought he’d show us more by now but Few and the coaches know of what they spreak when they say he’s a year away, which will be a shame since we could be FF good with a credible bench.

Give him a little more time. I actually think he’s starting to get it a little bit. He did have 8 boards tonight if nothing else.

[CDC84]

The team that GU put out in the 2nd OT was not a NCAA tournament caliber team. At least at this stage. I hate to put too much on the kid, but Melson's failure to hit that foul shot or connect on that three did GU in.

The biggest problem is not having a backup for Perkins. Silas is NOT a point guard. Never will be. He is a 100%, pure shooting guard. Wade would've been eaten up alive tonight. Josh is just going to have to learn to be super careful to not commit fouls. And not get injured. I feel we would've won that game if Josh hadn't fouled out.

[Mantua]

I have a feeling than Silas will work like crazy on his game. He’s a guy who digs in. I hope he doesn't go into a mental tailspin because of last night’s mistakes. Florida’s a good team and we still have a number of green players. I wish we could have filled the available scholarship with a grad transfer. We are going to struggle for a few months.

[jazzdelmar]

Why is Few skating? What TF was that end of game play? Why hasn’t he developed or recruited a backup PG? Just asking.

[WallaWallaZag]

Why is Few skating? What TF was that end of game play? Why hasn’t he developed or recruited a backup PG? Just asking.

i'm guessing wade was supposed to be the back up pg...but a lot of teams, even great ones, only have one guy who can truly play the point for extended minutes (last year, unc sucked without berry)
you've picked the dukies to beat florida and they only have one pg...they also suck when allen has to play point.
i doubt few drew up the play to have melson hold the ball and heave up a prayer.

[bartruff1]

I think the potential on this team is amazing and 9 deep.... the upside is scary good....they will get plenty of minutes against the WCC....

[Reborn]

The season is early. The Zags played great, imo. Melson didn't play his best game. But neither did Koulechov (Maybe Florida's best player. He sopred only 4 pts. Melson scored 12). It's a team game and the TEAM played great. AS I said losing Josh and Tillie really hurt Gonzaga at this time of year. Our bench will get better. A top 4 team in the polls will expose the youth of our team. The bench is so inexperienced. It showed last night. A great team like Florida will expose the inexperience of our first year players. They will learn and then get better. They will either learn or they won't play all that much. It was easy to see that all these guys on the bench have a long way to go. That's okay with me. They have a long time to get it all right. Few did recruit a very good guard to be the backup. Jesse Wade is hurt. You can't blame Few for that.

Go Zags111

[bartruff1]

Why is Few skating? What TF was that end of game play? Why hasn’t he developed or recruited a backup PG? Just asking.

He has won so much he is tired of winning....

[CaliforniaZaggin']

Let's chill. We're 5 games in. Norvell hadn't played competitive games in quite some time. Being effective as a bench player is harder than doing so as a starter. Enjoy the ride, friends.

[TacomaZAG]

Last night's game is the reason for the pre-season................

Agree with all comments, save the Few skating, especially the time of the season. IT"S SO EARLY.............

This game magnifies what the team needs to work on, especially the current lack of depth on the bench. Perkins is fine, is our only true point guard, and played a great game against another elite PG. Tillie is a star in the making, and J3 is simply a beast. Kispert is a frosh, and this was his initial dip in the pool of elite opponents to be faced this year. He will be fine, just continue to give him minutes because the more times he is in situations like this, the better for March. Melson is fine, played a great game as well. Not sure what happened on the final play in regulation, and I bet no one feels worse about the missed FT in the first OT. Great learning experiences for all the guys..........

I know it's early, but not too early to remind everyone that the season is about March, not November. This was a GREAT college basketball game, too bad one team had to lose.

Go ZAGS

[jim77]

Great point guards aren't walking around with"Will shoot for Food" signs....they are a rare breed. Silas will be ok....Josh really has to be careful as teams will go after him. I think Wade will get minutes in conference....and hopefully get healthier and more experience.

[jim77]

Let's chill. We're 5 games in. Norvell hadn't played competitive games in quite some time. Being effective as a bench player is harder than doing so as a starter. Enjoy the ride, friends.

So true...Norvell is a good athlete and long...just needs more time.

[gu03alum]

Let's chill. We're 5 games in. Norvell hadn't played competitive games in quite some time. Being effective as a bench player is harder than doing so as a starter. Enjoy the ride, friends.

+1

[CdAZagFan]

That was an incredible game last night - against a high-caliber opponent. I was actually really impressed with the way GU handled themselves - hit several huge clutch shots (including Silas' drive that got him to the free throw line at the end of the first OT). To stay on topic, Norvell does look like he is rushing - I'm hoping he settles down, but I do like watching him in the open floor. I think he will be really good once he gets a little confidence. And Rui needs to find the middle ground between last year (just putting his head down and taking it to the hoop) and this year (playing within the system and just making the safe plays). Once he figures out that he is a mismatch to deal with, I believe he will be a good contributor off the bench. Larsen is also coming along well - surprised he didn't get more minutes last night.

[BobZag]

Just think what this team will be 3 months from now. Rui and Larsen were ok and Norvell was not. Great learning experience for these guys. Now they know what big time college basketball is. On the other hand, I would put our starting 5 up against anybody in the country right now. This is easily an elite 8 team at worst.

Fully agree with the needed learning experience.

-Rui
-Larsen
-Norvell
-Kispert

Games vs Texas, Nova, Creighton, SMC, they'll all be good for these guys for March.

[cggonzaga]

And Rui needs to find the middle ground between last year (just putting his head down and taking it to the hoop) and this year (playing within the system and just making the safe plays). Once he figures out that he is a mismatch to deal with,

Couldn’t agree with this more. Was saying that exact thing last night.

[cggonzaga]

Fully agree with the needed learning experience.

-Rui
-Larsen
-Norvell
-Kispert

Games vs Texas, Nova, Creighton, SMC, they'll all be good for these guys for March.

+1

[jazzdelmar]

The team that GU put out in the 2nd OT was not a NCAA tournament caliber team. At least at this stage. I hate to put too much on the kid, but Melson's failure to hit that foul shot or connect on that three did GU in.

The biggest problem is not having a backup for Perkins. Silas is NOT a point guard. Never will be. He is a 100%, pure shooting guard. Wade would've been eaten up alive tonight. Josh is just going to have to learn to be super careful to not commit fouls. And not get injured. I feel we would've won that game if Josh hadn't fouled out.

He’s “shooting” a pure 35% from the field.

[cggonzaga]

He’s “shooting” a pure 35% from the field.

Just can’t help yourself can you? You do see Melson’s contributions to this team right?