bigham78

My historical data is in response to Whitlock Column and after all the title of this thread is what I was responding to. I find Zags fans are great fans and very civil until you point out flaws with their team based solely on your own opinion.I've gotten similar treatment on other threads in other sites.

I not misguided about anything.My comments and opinions are directed at Whitlock column. You and other Zags fans are jumping on me for the fact happen to be a Zips fan as well.For the record The Zags will beat Akron more then likely double digits. I hope the Zips can keep it under 20.I'm a college basketball fan and have been one all life and love this time of year. I disagree with Whitlock column and if Zags fags will truly remember losing to Memphis by 18 and trailing by 26 points in that game and the stretch earlier this season when they lost three straight. I suggest you don't believe the hype and set yourselves up for another major March Madness letdown.Blowing out those dregs at the end of year are not even close to the teams you'll be facing in the big dance.The Memphis, Arizona, Utah and Portland St all teams the Zags lost to are who you'll be facing come Saturday and beyond and I'm sorry. I've seen nothing in the Zags play as late that says you'd win those games. If, the Zags had true go to guy like Morrison of couple of years ago. This team is a beast. But, your guys are too inconsistent and finding your shooting eye Vs the likes the sub .500 dregs the Zags played at season end prior to St Mary's in the WCC Championship game is nothing that would be making me as cocky as comments I'm seeing. I'm talking more then here. Zags fans are all over Whitlock column at ESPN.No doubt the Zags are head and shoulders better then Akron.But, winning it all is more then bit of stretch and I was responding to Whitlock column. I'm not misguided. The Zags will have to prove to me they're final four material.

I note with interest the repetitive rate that the '02 Gonzaga/Wyoming game is brought up. I also notice that a couple of key facts seem to be missing.Wyoming was the outright Champion of the #7 RPI Conference in the nation that year (Mountain West Conference). They were sent to a conference foe's home floor (only New Mexico has won more games in the Pit than Wyoming). The Cowboys came down from their Laramie campus 7,200 foot elevation to play at 6,500 feet.Now, Gonzaga has respect for the MAC (#21 conference this year) but at least we're not playing the game at elevation at one of your foe's home court.Also, while it is true that during Gonzaga's current 10 year NCAA tourney streak (extended to 11 this season) the Zags have been one and done three times -- it's also true that they've been to the Sweet 16 (or beyond) four times.It should be a great game on Thursday. I'm looking forward to it.No I didn't leave anything of note out. Those talking heads on ESPN and some run of mill fans don't do their homework. I do my homework.Wyoming was 21-7 and 11 Seed at large in 2002. San Diego St won the MWC tourney in 2002 and was the champion of the MWC in 2002. The game was played Albuquerque, New Mexico which is hardly a home game for Wyoming.The Zags were 28-2 and whined about not being Number One Seed. If, the Zags were as good as they claimed they could have beaten Wyoming in Laramie like unranked 10 loss San Diego St did that season. The last seven seasons Gonzaga has made the sweet 16 once 2006. The Zags were one and done 2008 and 20072005 2nd round 2004 2nd round2003 2nd round2002 one and done.Wyoming was 11-3 and were the '01/'02 outright Champions of the Mountain West Conference. "Outright" means they weren't tied -- they won it outright. They finished a game ahead of 2nd place Utah, and two games ahead of third place UNLV. They did not win their post season Conference tourney. They were seeded 11th and beat Gonzaga in the 11/6 game. I know you don't have much experience in the NCAA tourney -- so I'll let you know that when a team draws an opponent that get's to play on the home court of a conference foe -- there are a couple of things that come in to play. Familiarity (particularly at altitude) and the fact that conference foes generally root for their own OOC. Now, those aren't obstacles that can't be overcome -- but they do exist.BTW, A total of 22 schools have more wins in the NCAA dance than Gonzaga over the past 5 seasons. Those past 5 seasons include the past two years' "one and dones". We'll see how the Zags do this post season with a healthy Josh Heytvelt.CRPI Rank Non-Conference 0.5463 8 Overall 0.5497 7 Shaded teams made the tournament 2001-2002 Standings Conference Overall Div I R/S School W L Pct W L Pct W L Pct RPI Rank Wyoming 11 3 0.786 21 8 0.724 20 8 0.714 0.5592 63 Utah 10 4 0.714 21 8 0.724 19 8 0.704 0.5906 31 UNLV 9 5 0.643 20 10 0.667 20 10 0.667 0.5666 51 San Diego St 7 7 0.500 21 11 0.656 19 11 0.633 0.5823 39 BYU 7 7 0.500 17 11 0.607 16 11 0.593 0.5657 52 New Mexico 6 8 0.429 16 13 0.552 16 13 0.552 0.5581 66 Colorado St 3 11 0.214 12 18 0.400 10 17 0.370 0.4948 163 Air Force 3 11 0.214 9 19 0.321 9 19 0.321 0.4804 198Wyoming was put out by Arizona 68-60 at the same site in the next game.Utah was beaten by Indiana 75-56 1st round.Illinois beat San Diego St 93-64 1st round.If, you're trying to impress me with 2002 MWC. These scores indicate how truly weak the comference actually was in 2001-2002.The only game the MWC won was Wyoming beating Gonzaga.I'm writing in response to Whitlock column and I've already said The Zags have far too much firepower for Akron.I disagree with Whitlock and his Gonzaga goes all the way.I'm giving information and opinion why I feel sweet 16 is best case for this Zags team.

I note with interest the repetitive rate that the '02 Gonzaga/Wyoming game is brought up. I also notice that a couple of key facts seem to be missing.Wyoming was the outright Champion of the #7 RPI Conference in the nation that year (Mountain West Conference). They were sent to a conference foe's home floor (only New Mexico has won more games in the Pit than Wyoming). The Cowboys came down from their Laramie campus 7,200 foot elevation to play at 6,500 feet.Now, Gonzaga has respect for the MAC (#21 conference this year) but at least we're not playing the game at elevation at one of your foe's home court.Also, while it is true that during Gonzaga's current 10 year NCAA tourney streak (extended to 11 this season) the Zags have been one and done three times -- it's also true that they've been to the Sweet 16 (or beyond) four times.It should be a great game on Thursday. I'm looking forward to it.No I didn't leave anything of note out. Those talking heads on ESPN and some run of mill fans don't do their homework. I do my homework.Wyoming was 21-7 and 11 Seed at large in 2002. San Diego St won the MWC tourney in 2002 and was the champion of the MWC in 2002. The game was played Albuquerque, New Mexico which is hardly a home game for Wyoming.The Zags were 28-2 and whined about not being Number One Seed. If, the Zags were as good as they claimed they could have beaten Wyoming in Laramie like unranked 10 loss San Diego St did that season. The last seven seasons Gonzaga has made the sweet 16 once 2006. The Zags were one and done 2008 and 20072005 2nd round 2004 2nd round2003 2nd round2002 one and done.

No offense to Zags fans.But, another ESPN talking head not doing his work.Zags have good team.But, give me break when you're blowing out the dregs of WCC many whom would lose to 3rd and 4th place MAC teams. Those 8 and 11 point wins he fails to mention those were Vs sub .500 if not for poor shooting nights these teams could have upset Gonzaga.I notice he didn't include since they were blown out by Memphis the 2 point win over a St Mary's minus their leading scorer and 5 point win over a lousy San Francisco team once again poor shooting did them in Vs the Zags. It also failed to mention Memphis lead then by as much as 28 points before the Zags made run to make the final score little more respectable.Austin Daye is nice talent. But, like his teammates is inconsistent. He'll shoot 3-13 one game and turn around and shoot 10-13 in the next.Matt Bouldin similar. He's 1-6, 2-9 or 3-9. He found his stroke Vs the dregs of WCC. I'm sorry let me see him maintain that stroke Vs something a bit better 3-28 LMU, 16-17 Santa Clara, 9-23 Pepperdine.There was another Gonzaga team that ended the season blowing out the dreg of the WCC and playing similar basketball and whinying about not being Number one seed at 28-2.Wyoming 73 Gonzaga 66 1st round. Don't get me wrong. I feel this Zags team should make nice run in this tourney and not make their usual as of late first round exit.But, I don't see them cutting down the nets. Come April 6th.

Gonzaga actually flies in a private jet.Hopefully a lot of you folks can make it out for the game, should be a good one! Always great to see programs have a resurgence in their programs! Good luck.NCAA travels rule state trips of less then 400 miles are done by bus.It was 300 miles. But, due to the recent Gas Crisis they increased it to 400 miles. Gonzaga Private jet or not will be traveling to Portland by bus. Unless the Zags wish to pay that expense themselves.Here's the link to NCAA Travel Guidelineshttp://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=36359Unless the Zags wish to pay for the travel cost themselves.They'll be traveling by chartered Buses paid for by NCAA. The NCAA pays for team and Pep Band.They have great policy that helps with travel costs for everybody.

Anything is possible come Big Dance time.The Zags fans who are posting here would sure like to forget 2002.They felt they were Number 1 Seed with a 28-2 record.The camera picked up what was clearly an upset Zags team when they found out they were 6 Seed.I'll never forget the comment of once they see us play they'll know what a mistake they made.11 Seed 21-7 Wyoming 73 Gonzaga 66That's one of many reasons why we call it March Madness.

To answer the question, yes it is winnable. On any given day, the Zips can beat any team in the tournament.I'm not so concerned about the Zips traveling west. I'm concerned that Gonzaga can take a bus from their campus to Portland. Spokane is more than 350 miles from Portland. Spokane is located in the Eastern Mountains of the State of Washington and most of the trip from Spokane to Portland will not be on a major highway.They may have a far shorter distance. But, the trip is not a piece of cake.ummm... yeah it is a piece of cake trip. made that drive several times while heading to northern idaho and montana.Spending more then 6 hours on chartered bus. I don't think so.I'm 6'3 and I've done 6 hour trips on chartered buses and they're not fun.I seriously doubt you have player on the Gonzaga team that will tell you this trip is a piece of cake.

To answer the question, yes it is winnable. On any given day, the Zips can beat any team in the tournament.I'm not so concerned about the Zips traveling west. I'm concerned that Gonzaga can take a bus from their campus to Portland. Spokane is more than 350 miles from Portland. Spokane is located in the Eastern Mountains of the State of Washington and most of the trip from Spokane to Portland will not be on a major highway.They may have a far shorter distance. But, the trip is not a piece of cake.

Good write-up on the Zags except for Micah Downs/Gray part.Was Gray talking about himself or Downs?Downs is shooting .417 for season. He been up and down all season. He'll shoot 5-16 one game and next game 7-9. I see no indication he's been in slump. I do see very inconsistent play.Gray is shooting .459 for the season. He's been all over the map. He'll shoot 0-6 one game 6-8 the next game and then 2-9. It's no wonder Downs got his starting job back as he's been very inconsistent. I see no slump either. I just see inconsistent as too why he couldn't hold the starting job.Outside of that part a pretty good write-up on the Zags.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/bracketologyAccording to Joe Lunardi ESPN Akron is projected 13th seed out west playing Purduehttp://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11233762CBS is projecting a 13 seed out west Vs Washington

They're out there working on Saturday.

That was quick whatever it was doing.It's down already.

Big Crane alert in front of the eastside stands. I can't wait too see what it will be doing today.

http://www.collegegridirons.com/mac/RubberBowl.htmThe Zips will play their first game at their new stadium on September 19, 2009. The Rubber Bowl will be demolished. The last two sentences on the site above. Many sites on college football stadiums are saying this and the ABJ coverage of the last game last season said the same thing. There no reference as to what's going to happen to the area once the RB is demolished.

Seriously though every thing that's at the RB will be either be hauled away for scrap or imploded when it's demo'd.

I believe those earlier remarks were made in jest. However, is there anything new to report on what UA plans to do with the Rubber Bowl?Oh, thought they were really bringing in the light poles from the RB. You know, to bring back some nostalgia.When blogging on fan sites it's had to tell sometimes when someone is jesting or not. There's nothing of value to bring in from the RB. The goalposts are even rusting.The plans are to demo the RB once the Info is done. The RB is an emergency back-up right now God forbid something delayed the Info being completed in time. But. per Curtis office via the ABJ beat writer I converse with. The Info is ahead of schedule despite the bad weather and fans will really see them pick up the pace in the coming months as we near Summer.

I believe this is a sewer trench they ran to the north endzone facility. I could be wrong, but considering they are doing sewer work on Spicer, it's a logical guess. I also believe that is gravel and not cement seeing how it appears something has already driven over the top of it.That's trench line for the sidelines.That wouldn't run a sewer line for the enzone facility directly under field and surely not that close to surface. I believe that is the sideline trench for field drainage.Phew! I thought they had poured footers for field-level light posts!!! :blink: Not a chance.They're installed the supports for lights atop the press tower and according to design there will be light towers in the endzone corners atop the hills and light towers behind the east side stands.The Rubber Bowl was the only Div 1A or FBS stadium with field light poles. ESPN always made habit of pointing that out on games they did there.They couldn't move the lights behind the stands due to the airport. They had to lower the middle light poles due to the airportThey won't make that mistake with the Info.Actually, because of some of the cost over runs, several things from the RB will be used at ICS. The light poles are one thing. In addition to this, the FAA mandated that they remove the light poles at the RB so it made perfect sense to use them at ICS. It knocked about $120,000 off the price of the stadium. Some of the additional cost saving measures are that they are going to be bringing the concession equipment, Press Box furniture, bathroom troughs, and bleachers from the RB to ICS.There are no cost overruns at ICS and they're not bringing any of that crap over from the Rubber Bowl. The FAA made them lower the middle light poles over 30 years ago from their original height. The rusting light poles are still there to be sold as scrap when they tear the place down. There no pressbox furniture to more. The counters are built into the RB pressboxYou don't spend over 60 mil on new place and use crappy bleachers from the RB.The bathroom troughs are circa 1940 and not worth moving.

I believe this is a sewer trench they ran to the north endzone facility. I could be wrong, but considering they are doing sewer work on Spicer, it's a logical guess. I also believe that is gravel and not cement seeing how it appears something has already driven over the top of it.That's trench line for the sidelines.That wouldn't run a sewer line for the enzone facility directly under field and surely not that close to surface. I believe that is the sideline trench for field drainage. thats true, didnt think of that. They would want to connect that to the sewer lines too...That's correct they'll connect to the sewer lines. But, they wouldn't have raw sewage line that close to the surface and surely not running right under the field.

I believe this is a sewer trench they ran to the north endzone facility. I could be wrong, but considering they are doing sewer work on Spicer, it's a logical guess. I also believe that is gravel and not cement seeing how it appears something has already driven over the top of it.That's trench line for the sidelines.That wouldn't run a sewer line for the enzone facility directly under field and surely not that close to surface. I believe that is the sideline trench for field drainage.Phew! I thought they had poured footers for field-level light posts!!! :blink: Not a chance.They're installed the supports for lights atop the press tower and according to design there will be light towers in the endzone corners atop the hills and light towers behind the east side stands.The Rubber Bowl was the only Div 1A or FBS stadium with field light poles. ESPN always made habit of pointing that out on games they did there.They couldn't move the lights behind the stands due to the airport. They had to lower the middle light poles due to the airportThey won't make that mistake with the Info.

I believe this is a sewer trench they ran to the north endzone facility. I could be wrong, but considering they are doing sewer work on Spicer, it's a logical guess. I also believe that is gravel and not cement seeing how it appears something has already driven over the top of it.That's trench line for the sidelines.That wouldn't run a sewer line for the enzone facility directly under field and surely not that close to surface. I believe that is the sideline trench for field drainage.

You also want to talk tough economic timesThe ACC has plenty of good tickets available for the ACC tourney being held this year at the Georgia Dome.They have 30,000 seat basketball configuration they do and these are good seats available all over the venue.It's not just UofA football taking hit during these tough economic times.

Aluminum from what I heard.As for decent stadium. Here in the South grassy noles are very popular at several stadiums and some of the larger stadiums you better bring a stadium cushion in some sections as you're sitting on concrete. Neyland Stadium Tennessee has several sections like that for one. The team been crappy as of late and still hasn't stopped them from drawing 100,000 plus per home game.

Simply $$. No one has any money at this time. Unless you're a mortician, everyone's business is in the crapper. It is tough to raise money in this economic climate. A lot tougher than anyone would have projected even 6-8 months ago. If things stay as-is for the next 4-6 months, I'll be selling my plasma across from the stadium rather than attending games inside it.The economy is in the toilet right now no doubt. But, I fail to see stadium issues when the school would just redo the financial part of the funding in 2010 if need be. They already have over 1/3 of the cost of the stadium and still some potential donors coming in for naming rights despite a horrid economy.

It's Mack's fault because he wants to get out and leave the trouble of figuring out how to improve sales to somebody else.Rugters is no better.They have an ambitous 90 million stadium and facilites upgrade and at last count they've raised all of 100,000 for it. Mack is not hardly running to better situation. He just going to a better paying AD job.