DZ's Annual One BOLD Prediction Thread

[kitzbuel]

This will be Roger Powell’s last season on the Zag sidelines as he moves on to take a hand at head coaching.

[229SintoZag]

Gonzaga will not only run the table and win the title without a loss; Gonzaga will also not lose a single game by single digits, and will set the bar anew as the most efficient team in history per Kenpom—scoring top billing as the number 1 offense and defense and annihilating the record with an adjusted efficiency margin above 40.

[UberZagFan]

Gonzaga will not only run the table and win the title without a loss; Gonzaga will also not lose a single game by single digits, and will set the bar anew as the most efficient team in history per Kenpom—scoring top billing as the number 1 offense and defense and annihilating the record with an adjusted efficiency margin above 40.

Thought the title of this thread was "BOLD" not "CRAZY AF"?

[Martin Centre Mad Man]

I had no idea that the conference is that strong this year. Predicted, at least. Anyone predicting 3 conf teams get to Sat/Sun, (and I realize you didn't predict it, just noted) gets a full on BOLD and hopeful one this year.

It would not surprise me at all to see three WCC teams in the Round of 32. BYU, USF, and St. Mary’s are all teams that could earn seeds in the 5-12 range where upsets are common. On the other hand, it wouldn’t surprise me to see BYU earn a 5 seed and then drop their first game to a team from the OVC.

[Bogozags]

Having only seen one of our opponents play, I predict we finish 8-2 after our first 10 games, finish conference play at 13-1, win the WCC Tournament and earn a #1 seed for the Dance BUT not in the west...

[ZagsGoZags]

This is the TENTH Annual DZ's One BOLD Prediction Thread. Nice job keeping the tradition alive, DZ

My one BOLD prediction: Holmgren won't be a one and done.

Hi Reno,
I have always enjoyed your bright and optimistic point of view. If you are right it will make me want to buy a round of beers for every regular on this Board. Are you thinking of this possibility because it is less risky for a thin player to fill out in college than to risk it in the NBA?

[DZ]

Hi Reno,
I have always enjoyed your bright and optimistic point of view. If you are right it will make me want to buy a round of beers for every regular on this Board. Are you thinking of this possibility because it is less risky for a thin player to fill out in college than to risk it in the NBA?

That is an interesting question. If anyone just "looks" at what grown men, 6'9, 30 years old, and in peak physical condition look like, it's pretty easy seeing how someone with a very slight build would want to put a few pounds on before getting between the rim and Lebron.

[RenoZag]

Hi Reno,
I have always enjoyed your bright and optimistic point of view. If you are right it will make me want to buy a round of beers for every regular on this Board. Are you thinking of this possibility because it is less risky for a thin player to fill out in college than to risk it in the NBA?

ZGZ: He may very well be "The Unicorn" everyone says he is. He reminds me physically of a certain freshman who played for Texas who had pipe cleaner legs, pointy elbows. . .kid named Kevin Durant. . .I'm hoping the NIL income will forestall his graduation to the NBA and give him another year to be a college kid. . .

BTW: The Athletic's Dana O'Neil has an in depth look at Chet & his family posted this morning:

https://theathletic.com/2922184/2021/11/03/hes-not-soft-gonzagas-prize-recruit-chet-holmgren-is-7-foot-1-195-pounds-and-backs-down-from-no-one/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983

[sittingon50]

Off topic but man this is BOLD!...

50 loses 15 pounds...


Go!! Zags!!!

Been workin' on it, blah.

Check your PM.

[zaguarxj]

My predictions tend to be kind of wacky rather than bold. This year, I'm going to keep it more real. I predict that Hunter Sallis will be a starter by the end of the year. Bold because Few likes his upperclassmen.

[White lightning]

Last years team averaged 2.275 points/minute. 91 a game. This year's team will average 2.375 points/minute. 95 a game.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[caduceus]

Last years team averaged 2.275 points/minute. 91 a game. This year's team will average 2.375 points/minute. 95 a game.

Wow, that is BOLD. I hope you're right. That's astounding offensive production, but very much not unreachable. The exhibitions have been fun to watch.

Go ZAGS!

[White lightning]

Wow, that is BOLD. I hope you're right. That's astounding offensive production, but very much not unreachable. The exhibitions have been fun to watch.

Go ZAGS!

Not as bold as you think in my opinion. If last years team would have played the 4 ooc games and 3 conference games that were canceled they would have easily surpassed the 95 ppg.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[GoZags]

BOLD prediction

Sorry for the slight deviation, but I wanted to put this entire thread in perspective (i.e. "what" is BOLD?). Particularly in light of the shifting paradigm that IS Gonzaga Basketball (and Gonzaga University). 20 years ago last month, The Pontiff and I had breakfast with Mark Few ... and it was memorable as Fewie opened up and was quite candid. I've used a few quotes from that breakfast over the years (and btw the breakfast was after GU's back to back to back Sweet 16's or beyond '99-01).

"I'm not an expert on Fairy Tales, but it seems to me that Cinderalla only went to one dance."
"It's kind of a misnomer about us. It's almost funny. They assume we are not very athletic. It's a big mistake."
"I don't think people, both in the media and my profession, understand just how good a thing we have up here right now."

It was also at this breakfast when Fewie recalled his first day(s) at Gonzaga, when he first arrived at GU as a $1,500 a year Grad Assistant and was living on Billy Grier's couch. He said he was pulled aside by the Campus Elders and told "You will never win this league, and that's okay. Just don't finish last. Last place isn't tolerated around here.". So those were his Marching Orders. "Don't finish last". The three Assistants (Munse, Billy and Fewie) sought to change the paradigm, and change it they did. They ALL had a role, as did others .... i.e. Mike Roth, Father Spitzer, Matt Santangelo, Adam Morrison et al).

And now we have DZ with his iconic "10th Annual BOLD Prediction" thread.

There was a time when me predicting a season long "double/double" from big man Reed Schifferman (Gonzaga's all-time greatest dunker) would have been BOLD.

My '21/'22 BOLD prediction (which really isn't THAT BOLD) is this ... Gonzaga will be the first school since the '75/'76 Indiana Hoosiers to go unbeaten and win the National Championship. Yeah ... really bold, given that just last season the Zags were 1 game away from accomplishing that historic feat.

And thanks DZ ... for this thread. Go Zags !!! GoZags

[scrooner]

Bold prediction? We end the season ranked higher in KenPom defensive efficiency than offensive efficiency.