#11 Gonzaga v Florida
- Thread starter benwied
- Start date
Since my office is blocks away from Gonzaga, since I see John Stockton regularly around town, and since Spokane bleeds zag basketball, I can positively say they are a douchey fan base. Sure they win their conference every year but the gap is shrinking. And honestly gonzaga has way under performed their perceived national strength. The fan base keeps reliving their Cinderella season from many years ago.
I'm not smart enough to analyze ISU dispassionately like some here claim to do, but Few is a really good coach and the zags are consistently well coached and consistently play well in all venues.
OOHHH and since I have half way completed a masters degree from that institution, I can also say beyond a shadow of a doubt that ALL masters degrees are BS and merely serve to pad a resume.
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I really wonder what their recruiting pitch is to get so many good players there. "Hey, want to beat up on a bunch of worthless WAC teams and then take your chances in the tourney?"
Great question as they get some really talented players as freshman and have been successful on the transfer market.
I've seen the same argument about us where some think the NCAAs is the goal while I think a conference title is more impressive.
Never understand this perception.
Zags are only 1 of 2 teams/programs to win AT LEAST one game in NCAA Tourney for 7 consecutive years.
Last season we made the Sweet 16, after blowing out #3 & #6 seed. A last sec shot away from Elite 8.
The year before that, we made the Elite 8 and lost to eventual Nat'l Champion Duke.
Gonzaga has made 7 Sweet 16's since 2000. losing to the eventual Nat'l Champion in (3) of those instances.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga has never had a Top-20 recruiting class.
Also, in the past 17 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, Gonzaga has only "under" performed based on seeding in just (4) of those appearances.
7 Sweet 16's, including 2 Elite 8 showings in 17 yrs ain't too shabby.
There are a few "high major" programs whom would love those accomplishments.
also, we lost 2 of our starters to the NBA from last season.
4 of 5 starters are new.
Still figuring things out.
We only have wins over Top 30 San Diego St and Florida this season, so seeking a Top 25 win for resume.
Keep in mind, Florida was 22-24 from FT line and GU made only 10 FT's.
Zags had (3) players foul out, Gators had (0).
Somehow we still won...
4 of 5 starters are new.
Still figuring things out.
We only have wins over Top 30 San Diego St and Florida this season, so seeking a Top 25 win for resume.
Keep in mind, Florida was 22-24 from FT line and GU made only 10 FT's.
Zags had (3) players foul out, Gators had (0).
Somehow we still won...
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
Media guys like to pick you for very deep runs, and you do Sweet 16s instead.
It's a stupid perception and you have an outstanding program. Just shrug it off as a lazy and easy story to tell.
Also, let's make this an annual game.
This would be terrific.
I live in MN, & always been a fan of Cyclones.
Love the culture, Ames as College town, & how athletic/tough you seem every yr.
I picked you to the Final 4 in my bracket last season OVER Gonzaga. An Elite 8 match up nearly happened!
Two my closest friends are ISU alumni, so should be a lot of smack talking tomorrow, & bragging rights for yrs to come...for someone.
If its any consolation, Gonzaga beat Hawkeyes 2 yrs ago in NCAA Tourney by 23.
I think the key matchup will be Jamaal Tinsley vs John Stockton. That will determine the outcome of the game. However, the Marcus Fizer - Ronny Turiaf matchup will be key as well.
Gonzaga's record speaks for itself and they have a great coach who built a fantastic tradition over the last 17 years. I don't think anyone can really argue that. Kenpom has Gonzaga by one but then again that's what they said about Miami who got smoked by 17. This is going to be Prohm ball aka small ball vs. the Jolly Green Giants. It doesn't get any sweeter to me going into this clash as the underdogs.
