While the eyes of Pacific Northwest sports fans have been fixated on the Seattle Seahawks and the Super Bowl as of late, it won't take long for those fans to start turning their attention to college basketball. Not that they've completely ignored what's been happening around here the past couple months on the collegiate hardwood, but it's sometimes hard to throw all your energy behind more than one team, especially when another had a season like the Seahawks had.
Which is why some fans might be shocked to find out that there are actually two really good college basketball teams in the northwest this season, and one of them could contend for a national title. Okay, maybe it's stretching just a bit to think that Gonzaga could end up in the Final Four and maybe the championship game, but that's what Seahawk fans have been thinking for 30 years — the Seahawks? In the Super Bowl? Yeah, and gas is going to be a nickel per gallon, right?
Even the Zags' own coach doesn't believe the high ranking they've received. Mark Few told reporters last week, "...the reason we win games is not typical of a top-five team. We're winning on execution and heart and guts and playing smart.” Translation: we don't have a lot of talent and we're not able to physically matchup against other highly-ranked teams and we're not particularly deep and if we don't play at 100% of our ability every night, we're not going to win.
Right. Tell that to the rest of the West Coast Conference. The Bulldogs have won all eight of their league games so far by an average of nearly 14 points and only San Diego has come close to winning, dropping a one-point affair at home last month. Otherwise, Gonzaga clearly stands head and shoulders above the rest. In fact, a lot of folks around here believe the 'Zags could compete in a bigger conference like, for instance, the Pac-10. So far this year, they're 1-1 against those schools with another one coming up this week when Stanford comes to visit.
There are others outside the WCC who might think Few's comments are a little off-kilter. Some of the Bulldogs' victims this season include Maryland, Michigan State, Virginia, Oklahoma State, and St. Joseph's. Granted, they've not all been blowouts, but they've all been solid wins.
On the flip side, though, there are a handful of teams — three, to be exact — who might agree with Few's assessment of his team. Connecticut, Memphis, and Washington all are teams that have beaten Gonzaga this year, but not by much. UConn squeaked by with a two-point victory in the title game of the Maui Classic, a night after the 'Zags and Michigan State went to three overtimes. (Quick digression: if Gonzaga had pulled that one out, would the Huskies still be No. 1 right now?)
The other Huskies escaped with a three-point win at home. Memphis was the only team to really "dominate” the Bulldogs, winning by 11 at home. While Connecticut and Memphis continue to win and try to land a No. 1 seed in the NCAA regionals next month, Washington is headed in the opposite direction having lost their last three games. I bet the 'Zags are wishing they hadn't let that one in Seattle get away.
As far as having to win games on execution, heart and playing smart, I'd much rather see that than a team that can win by 30 every night with a squad of All-Americans. In this day and age of what I call "isolation” basketball, meaning 10 guys on the floor playing one-on-one instead of five-on-five, it's refreshing to see a team that actually plays "team” basketball. And while it may seem like it's the Adam Morrison Show most nights (29 points per game), Gonzaga still has two other guys averaging double-figures in scoring (J.P. Batista at 19.2 ppg and Derek Raivio at 12.3 ppg). Comparatively, Duke (because a lot of people are comparing Morrison and J.J. Redick) has only one other player besides Redick (27.8 ppg) in double figures (Shelden Williams at 18 ppg).
Personally, I think Few has the secret equation to successful basketball regardless of the team's talent level: smart + heart = execution, and execution equals victories. With one final major test coming this Saturday when Stanford comes to town, the 'Zags have a great shot at finishing out the season without a loss. Add to that the possibility of running the table at the WCC tournament, Gonzaga might have precedence on their side when it comes to possibly landing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA regionals. Since the selection committee so graciously gave Washington a top spot last year, Gonzaga would have a legitimate gripe if they finish the season with 28 or 29 wins (counting the conference tournament), a 19- or 20-game winning streak and a top-five ranking and not be awarded a No. 1 seed.
In the end, though, no matter what March Madness holds for them, the 'Zags just need to keep doing what they're doing to be successful: execute, play with heart and guts, and play smart. If they can continue with that formula, then the team's true talent will sneak up on other teams, simply because they're that good.
February 7, 2006
Don:
Adam,
I am glad more and more people are looking at GU’s program, but you need to do a little better research. GU plays in the West Coast Conference, not Pacific Coast Conf., and we all know GU will not be running the table in the PAC-10 tournament since they will not be invited. :)
February 7, 2006
Mike Clinton:
To say the Zags are low on talent just isn’t so. Indeed, there are those that say the Zags have yet to attain their full potential. Injuries and Morrison have been significant issues in the development of this year’s team. Yes Morrison. I won’t be the first to say that when Adam has the ball the rest of the team seems to be standing around waiting for Adam to shoot. They are a better “team” when he is off the floor. In fairness to Mr. Morrison, I thnk he’s become aware of this in recent games and has modified his play considerably — especially early in the game.
February 7, 2006
Kris:
Not that we wouldn’t have a good chance of doing so. :)
Cal is looking pretty good though. And if Wazu could play like they do against Washington they could make it to the tourney. UW just isn’t used to the giant target they came into the Pac-10 with.
February 8, 2006
Adam Russell:
Thanks for pointing out those errors. I wasn’t aware I had made them (that’s what I get for writing at 11:30 p.m., I guess) and they have been corrected. I grew up in Spokane (Go Zags!) but graduated from Washington State (Go Cougs!), a member of the Pac-10 which evolved from the Pacific Coast Conference. Sometimes I get those names on my brain and don’t realize it. Old age, man, old age!