Which front court is better?

[higherroad]

BYU & Gonzaga feature the best front court rotation in the WCC, yet which team has the better/more talented/most effective interior lineup?

Its very close. Stats don't tell the whole story as both feature different styles, dynamics, and ability. From purely a statistical standpoint, its pretty even overall:

Gonzaga ---

C - Rob Sacre (11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
PF - Elias Harris (12.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg)
back-up C/PF - Sam Dower (9.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Zags' frontcourt shoots an average of 50.9% FG, .87 bpg, & 68.2% from FT line.

BYU ---

C/F - Brandon Davies (12.7 ppg, 8 rpg)
PF - Noah Hartsock (17 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
back-up C/PF - Nate Austin (4.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg)

Cougs' frontcourt shoots an average of 56.4% FG, 1.16 bpg, & 65.3% from FT line.

Fwiw, Gonzaga is currently #10 RPI & #11 SOS(strength of schedule). BYU is currently #41 RPI & #58 SOS. Gonzaga is also ranked #25 in AP Poll, #26 in Coaches' Poll. BYU is unranked.

[TripletDaddy]

BYUs front court is better.

[pellegrino]

BYUs front court is FAR better.

fify

[higherroad]

'FAR' better? Really? OK, opinions are always worth consideration; however, do you care to elaborate or explain your reasoning? This is based off what?

Gonzaga's frontcourt has out-rebounded their superior schedule/opponents in 15 of 16 games this season and their bench is out-scoring BYU's bench by nearly 2 to 1.

I'm just curious to hear different perspectives and rational explanations...

ps. our back-up Center, Sam Dower's last 6 games: 1) 12 pts in 20 mins, 2) 10 pts in 16 mins, 3) 16 pts in 27 mins, 4) 15 pts in 18 mins, 5) 20 pts in 22 mins, 6) 9 pts in 22 mins. He's off the bench...

[pellegrino]

'FAR' better? Really? OK, opinions are always worth consideration; however, do you care to elaborate or explain your reasoning? This is based off what?

Gonzaga's frontcourt has out-rebounded their superior schedule/opponents in 15 of 16 games this season and their bench is out-scoring BYU's bench by nearly 2 to 1.

I'm just curious to hear different perspectives and rational explanations...

ps. our back-up Center, Sam Dower's last 6 games: 1) 12 pts in 20 mins, 2) 10 pts in 16 mins, 3) 16 pts in 27 mins, 4) 15 pts in 18 mins, 5) 20 pts in 22 mins, 6) 9 pts in 22 mins. He's off the bench...

there's nothing rational about being a BYU fan, you're born to it. So put away your stats and watch our FAR better front court prove it in Provo.

[LiveCoug]

'FAR' better? Really? OK, opinions are always worth consideration; however, do you care to elaborate or explain your reasoning? This is based off what?

Gonzaga's frontcourt has out-rebounded their superior schedule/opponents in 15 of 16 games this season and their bench is out-scoring BYU's bench by nearly 2 to 1.

I'm just curious to hear different perspectives and rational explanations...

ps. our back-up Center, Sam Dower's last 6 games: 1) 12 pts in 20 mins, 2) 10 pts in 16 mins, 3) 16 pts in 27 mins, 4) 15 pts in 18 mins, 5) 20 pts in 22 mins, 6) 9 pts in 22 mins. He's off the bench...

How bout "significantly better". Is that more palatable?

[creekster]

How about it should be a good game and afterwards we can talk about it with more basis to do so. Like "did you see how BYU's frontcourt kicked gawnzahga's butt?"

[higherroad]

there's nothing rational about being a BYU fan, you're born to it. So put away your stats and watch our FAR better front court prove it in Provo.

you're right, gonna be very tough to win at MC. I've chalked this up to a loss in Conference, yet I assure you it won't be due to BYU's front court dominating on the glass or in the box score. btw, GU's primary strength is front court defense...it should be a terrific match-up b/w two "inside-out" teams this year.

also, I realize most WCC arena's are like playing in a two-car garage, but I am confident you'll quickly realize Gonzaga's Arena is not a 'HS Gym'. Sure, it hold only 6,200 yet its a beautiful facility, full bowl, 1200 students near the floor, suites/boxes, picture worthy style, etc etc. If you haven't watched a GU game on TV or attended in person, be prepared to be impressed. I've viewed games in close to 50 college arenas and its one of the best atmospheres/arenas I've been in, give it a chance...btw, we fell the same about St Mary's and others for their cracker box gyms...they are tough to play in.

[smokymountainrain]

BYU & Gonzaga feature the best front court rotation in the WCC, yet which team has the better/more talented/most effective interior lineup?

Its very close. Stats don't tell the whole story as both feature different styles, dynamics, and ability. From purely a statistical standpoint, its pretty even overall:

Gonzaga ---

C - Rob Sacre (11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
PF - Elias Harris (12.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg)
back-up C/PF - Sam Dower (9.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Zags' frontcourt shoots an average of 50.9% FG, .87 bpg, & 68.2% from FT line.

BYU ---

C/F - Brandon Davies (12.7 ppg, 8 rpg)
PF - Noah Hartsock (17 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
back-up C/PF - Nate Austin (4.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg)

Cougs' frontcourt shoots an average of 56.4% FG, 1.16 bpg, & 65.3% from FT line.

Fwiw, Gonzaga is currently #10 RPI & #11 SOS(strength of schedule). BYU is currently #41 RPI & #58 SOS. Gonzaga is also ranked #25 in AP Poll, #26 in Coaches' Poll. BYU is unranked.

Sincere question. As a Zag fan, is it frustrating to watch Elias Harris and know that since coming in as such a promising freshman, he hasn't improved - er, that he's regressed - since his freshman season?

[MartyFunkhouser]

BYU & Gonzaga feature the best front court rotation in the WCC, yet which team has the better/more talented/most effective interior lineup?

Its very close. Stats don't tell the whole story as both feature different styles, dynamics, and ability. From purely a statistical standpoint, its pretty even overall:

Gonzaga ---

C - Rob Sacre (11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
PF - Elias Harris (12.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg)
back-up C/PF - Sam Dower (9.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

Zags' frontcourt shoots an average of 50.9% FG, .87 bpg, & 68.2% from FT line.

BYU ---

C/F - Brandon Davies (12.7 ppg, 8 rpg)
PF - Noah Hartsock (17 ppg, 5.8 rpg)
back-up C/PF - Nate Austin (4.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg)

Cougs' frontcourt shoots an average of 56.4% FG, 1.16 bpg, & 65.3% from FT line.

Fwiw, Gonzaga is currently #10 RPI & #11 SOS(strength of schedule). BYU is currently #41 RPI & #58 SOS. Gonzaga is also ranked #25 in AP Poll, #26 in Coaches' Poll. BYU is unranked.

Sacre really is one of the most overrated players in the country. Good hell, he is 7 feet tall and is still averaging only 6.8 rpg and under 12 ppg. Are the Zag fans still sticking with the delusion that he is a NBA prospect?

[MartyFunkhouser]

Sincere question. As a Zag fan, is it frustrating to watch Elias Harris and know that since coming in as such a promising freshman, he hasn't improved - er, that he's regressed - since his freshman season?

After both Harris and Sacre failed to improve and even regressed at Gonzaga, I'm not sure why any big man would commit there again.

[smokymountainrain]

Sacre really is one of the most overrated players in the country. Good hell, he is 7 feet tall and is still averaging only 6.8 rpg and under 12 ppg. Are the Zag fans still sticking with the delusion that he is a NBA prospect?

I asked about Harris, but really the same question could be asked about Sacre. It must be frustrating to watch these big guys with so much talent who produced early on and realize the coaching staff of your team simply isn't helping them get better - either that or they are too lazy to put in the work required to get better. Sacre hasn't regressed like Harris, but one could certainly argue he hasn't improved since in the last three years.

(edit) just saw funk's comment about Sacre and Harris. I would be interested to see Higherroad weigh in.

[higherroad]

Sacre really is one of the most overrated players in the country. Good hell, he is 7 feet tall and is still averaging only 6.8 rpg and under 12 ppg. Are the Zag fans still sticking with the delusion that he is a NBA prospect?

Keep in mind, Sacre is only averaging 25 mins per game, while most starting centers average close to 30-31 mpg. Its just super-soph, Sam Dower is really coming on strong and 'breaking out' lately. BYU fans will be impressed with his game, along the same lines as Davies, although BD has a better motor & SD has a better touch. Sacre has only been playing 20-22 mins the last 5 games due to Dower being our leading scorer most games off the bench.

The majority of Zag fans and opposing coaches realize Sacre is NOT a NBA player, sure he's 7'0", 265lbs and moves pretty well, but his hands are terrible. His defense is terrific, maybe one of the best defensive centers around, yet he has no hands, so he gets the ball stolen easily or misses entry passes quite often.

In our last 5 games, 2 opposing coaches have claimed Sam Dower is a sure-fire "pro". We'll see...Elias has a chance, but doubt it -- he'll be around another year anyway, just a junior.

As it stands right now, Dower is by far our most efficient BIG, just look at his points scored per minute -- its currently the 4th best in the entire country!

[pellegrino]

you're right, gonna be very tough to win at MC. I've chalked this up to a loss in Conference, yet I assure you it won't be due to BYU's front court dominating on the glass or in the box score. btw, GU's primary strength is front court defense...it should be a terrific match-up b/w two "inside-out" teams this year.

also, I realize most WCC arena's are like playing in a two-car garage, but I am confident you'll quickly realize Gonzaga's Arena is not a 'HS Gym'. Sure, it hold only 6,200 yet its a beautiful facility, full bowl, 1200 students near the floor, suites/boxes, picture worthy style, etc etc. If you haven't watched a GU game on TV or attended in person, be prepared to be impressed. I've viewed games in close to 50 college arenas and its one of the best atmospheres/arenas I've been in, give it a chance...btw, we fell the same about St Mary's and others for their cracker box gyms...they are tough to play in.

when are you going to get it that nobody here gives a rip about Gonzaga or their beautiful facility?

[higherroad]

when are you going to get it that nobody here gives a rip about Gonzaga or their beautiful facility?

I only commented on arena considering many posters have assumed, commented, or shared that Gonzaga's gym was on par with St Mary's, LMU, Pepperdine, etc. It isn't. Gonzaga, Santa Clara, USD have pretty nice/legit facilities. My intent wasn't to promote Gonzaga's arena, only to clarify potential misunderstandings...