GoZags

Were you once KENT STATE? '02 run is decades old. Akron now big boy.

My apologies if this piece from the NCAA has already been posted. Nicely done, btw http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2017-02-15/college-basketball-look-teams-dominating-their-conferences Akron mentioned a couple of times ... including this: "Here’s to Akron, 22-4, and 12-1 in the MAC. The Zips don’t draw nearly enough regard for their decade-spanning consistency, with 21-plus wins coming off the assembly line every year and appearances in eight of the past 10 MAC championship games. “The people who are around basketball, they know,” coach Keith Dambrot said over the phone Wednesday. “I think the media, the fans, they probably don’t know. Even our own people. It’s hard to do what we’ve done.”

Nice road win .... I was able to catch a good part of the 2nd half. Keep it going.

Fair enough. However, IF there was "acting" involved, it was the first time I've ever seen it from the 5th year senior ... who is only back this season because last year was curtailed after 5 games due to serious back injury/surgery and a subsequent staph infection that put his life in danger.. Again, I continue to maintain it wasn't that foul that took the air out of the Zips. It was missing the first two (of three) free throws a minute or so later. At least that's my opinion.

Appreciate your comments. I know each board is moderated differently and that I've been a guest here at your place. That being said, I felt this was a case of "if you see something, say something" so I said something.

Please take another look at the 124.40 mark and pay attention to the replay. What you describe as a "small push" could also be described as a sharp elbow to the kidney. What you say is "a second later" could also be described as instantaneous. A couple of seconds later Karnowski is seen on camera rubbing his kidney. Oh ... and if Big Dog didn't have a strong, negative reaction, why in the world was his teammate holding/restraining him? http://www.wccsports.com/thew.tv

Dan Dickau sure disagrees with you. The link is still up at http://www.wccsports.com/thew.tv Click Akron at Gonzaga and move to the 1:55 mark. Dickau (a member of the Bill Walton double/double club btw) has something to say about that. FWIW the "club" is making 1st Team Top 5 AP All American and First Team Top 5 Academic All American in the same season. Walton did it three times. Dickau and Olynyk have done it for Gonzaga.

Sounds like the possibility of an actual home and home between GU and the Zips is in the offing. That being said, I'm pretty sure this will be my last visit. Your board's "pet" nickname for GU's big man (used by multiple boardmembers) was childish and beyond classless. I'd thought you guys were better than that, but obviously not. Enjoy your season.

Seemed to me the "turning" point was the chance to make it a one possession game with the 3 free throws at the under 8 timeout. The air seemed to go out of the Zips when the first two were short (Ivey?).

I don't think we'll have to worry about the stat that the Zags are 78-0 since 2011 when scoring 80 or more points. I AM a little concerned that the Zips "law of averages" will come in to play vis a vis 3 point shooting in the 2nd half. Good, hard nosed defense shown by both teams so far.

I'd say there's cautious optimism that "this" could be the year. The depth and balance are key. Through 7 games, the Zags had 7 different leading scorers. And with 5 of the 8 man rotation seeing the floor for the first time this year (for the Zags) the feeling is they'll be a lot better in February and March (and hopefully April) than they are now. As for the WAZZU and UDub gear ... it's not a problem. When GU plays the Koogs at home, however, there ARE GU season ticketholders that come in their WAZZU gear ... as that is their first priority. When the new building opened 12 years ago, some Spokane businesses got their foot in the door. WSU is in Eastern Washington (as is Gonzaga) and that is WSU's back yard. Many longtime Koog (and Husky) fans for that matter are envious of GU's basketball success.

Pre Game media thread on GU's Board: Not only the links to the pre-game stories, but some "comments" as well --- one stop shopping. http://guboards.spokesmanreview.com/showthread.php?58306-Akron-Pre-Game-Media

Good one. Should have seen the cute girls giving out the order of tent numbers. A couple of the GU freshmen were having lunch across the street when the tweet went out announcing the "secret" location.

Organized pre-game study sessions (the night before big games).

Interestingly enough, the lack of "football" often comes up when GU plays high profile Power 5 schools. For instance, earlier this year that was one of the reasons given by both the Florida and Iowa State faithful for why they'd dispatch the Zags down in Orlando. I had to point out that while it's true that Gonzaga no longer has football (we're undefeated since 1941) the Zags have exactly the same number of guys in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the Gators, and actually have more than the Cyclones ... who, by the way have zip/zilch/nada http://www.profootballhof.com/heroes-of-the-game/colleges/

Mark Few mentioned that the last two games (Arizona and Washington) rebounding was problematic. Washington DID grab 29 offensive boards, but they shot 30 percent from the field and missed something like 60 shots. I'm hopeful that it will be a great college basketball game in a great atmosphere.

Have your guys found the Drive In just around the corner from Gonzaga's campus? It's a pretty popular local chain.

Been a "few" years (i.e. 7) since my last "visit" to your place. FWIW here's a 10 second clip of our 7' 1" 300 lb gazelle beating the entire Washington team down the court last night for the jam (and the "and" 1) http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=18233688

On campus is key (my opinion).This short video clip clearly shows the difference between our new gym (5 years old) and the old Kennel. Based on what I observed yesterday in Portland -- it won't be long until Akron has some "Gus Johnson" March moments (the two segments in this short attachment are Gus Johnson calls -- and not the end of the UCLA game a few years ago). Edited to add -- the gym with no seats behind the baskets (i.e. the one with Stockton and a few other Zags) is the old Kennel. It was listed at 4,000 seats, but the reality is there were 2,852 bench style "seats"

Nicely done.See you next year !!!

Headed to Portland in a few minutes (I live in Seattle) and wanted to drop by and let you know I've enjoyed learning about your program. Today is such a special day (I kept waking up and thinking about the dance).While I'm hoping for a Zags victory -- I'm certainly not taking ANYTHING for granted (never have, never will). It should be a very good college basketball game.Good luck to the Zips. GoZags.

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 hear you loud and clear. But I think all the Zags fans are totally focused on this year, and are reading between the lines and thinking they see a general putdown of the Gonzaga program from a Zips fan based on the fact that the Zips are playing them in the Big Dance. As a rabid sports fan myself, I can confirm that it doesn't take much to set us off, real or imagined.No harm. No foul. (although I may have been guilty of an offensive foul -- although it appeared to be a case of what do you call? Block? Charge?See you in Portland (hopefully you guys will be able to make it) GoZags

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 198

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.

I'm just glad the game will be played out west (and not in Dayton).