BYU vs Zig Zags smoke 'em if you got 'em

[jay santos]

That's the way a home game's supposed to go. What the hell's been going on lately?

Still can't shoot though. Very confused about our outside shooting. No Rose team will ever get anywhere shooting like this. Everything's predicated on knocking down those shots.

I like the change to Winder. I've liked Winder ever since he started. Not sure why he got benched after that Utah game. He plays so fast and it's not like his shot is worse than anyone else's.

Ref's screwed Abouo. I could tell he was going to have a big game. He had a team manager rebounding for him shooting mid range j's and was still out there by himself not coming off the floor until they almost were announcing the lineup. He was knocking them all down and had a real bounce in his step. And then the ref's put him on the bench. grrr

[Eddie]

Whatever play the Zags were running that resulted in their big man getting the ball right in the center of the lane 4 feet from the basket - can BYU copy that?

Holy Cow - it seemed like they had that all night if they wanted it. Can you imagine Davies getting the ball in that position over and over again?

Also - it might be a good idea to figure out how to defend that before heading up to Spokane for a rematch.

Overall - good win Cougars! I loved that they weren't just chucking 3's, particularly in the first half. Love Carlino pushing the ball hard and driving it. Loved the intensity on defense.

Not their best game, but great effort.

[LiveCoug]

Whatever play the Zags were running that resulted in their big man getting the ball right in the center of the lane 4 feet from the basket - can BYU copy that?

It seemed like half of BYU's steals were on that play....

[Eddie]

It seemed like half of BYU's steals were on that play....

Well, yeah. There is that little drawback.

I was still impressed with the number of times they got it to their big guy right there in perfect position.

Maybe we just use it a few times...

[cougjunkie]

A few thoughts:

1. Pangos shit the bed on the biggest stage of his career. Of course Santos and BITF probably thought he killed Abouo.

2. Hartsock is Mr. Consistent and the fact that he shoots almost 60% from the floor primarily taking turn around jumpers is spectacular.

3. BYUs Bigs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Gonzagas bigs.

4. Carlino was great at pushing the ball and keeping the pace uptempo. Not many teams can run with us.

5. WCC refs still lick ass. They kept Gonzaga within striking distance. Second half foul count was 7-1 and then 12-4 at one point.

6. Zylchstra sucks.

7. Winder is a very good on the ball defender and I think his length surprises people.

8. Harrison gave us a nice lift in limited minutes.

9. Overall a great atmosphere and a fun game. I was surprised at the number of Zags fans there. Until I remembered they live in Spokane and have no football team. I would get the hell out of there any chance I could too.

[Katy Lied]

I was irked with how much Jerry Sloan was shown on the screen last night.

Nice of Jerry Sloan to bring his housekeeper to the game.

[Jeff Lebowski]

9. Overall a great atmosphere and a fun game. I was surprised at the number of Zags fans there. Until I remembered they live in Spokane and have no football team. I would get the hell out of there any chance I could too.

I was amazed at how many Zags fans turned up. Big crowd up by us. They were pretty quiet after the first ten minutes though.

[Green Monstah]

Nice of Jerry Sloan to bring his housekeeper to the game.

I assume that was the lady to his left. I didn't hear that nugget of knowledge (was having my own hardcourt battles at the stake house for the first half), but I did learn that Jerry coached David Stockton's father in the NBA. Small world.

[jay santos]

Whatever play the Zags were running that resulted in their big man getting the ball right in the center of the lane 4 feet from the basket - can BYU copy that?

Holy Cow - it seemed like they had that all night if they wanted it. Can you imagine Davies getting the ball in that position over and over again?

Also - it might be a good idea to figure out how to defend that before heading up to Spokane for a rematch.

Overall - good win Cougars! I loved that they weren't just chucking 3's, particularly in the first half. Love Carlino pushing the ball hard and driving it. Loved the intensity on defense.

Not their best game, but great effort.

Also, Gonzaga bigs might try to practice scoring on a guy 4 inches and 60 lbs smaller than you when they get the ball four feet from the basket. That skill might come in handy someday.

[Green Monstah]

6. Zylchstra sucks.

I've given this kid a pretty long rope, but there has to be someone else who can eat his minutes.

[LiveCoug]

I've given this kid a pretty long rope, but there has to be someone else who can eat his minutes.

Winder.

[TripletDaddy]

Rose said in the post game show that Rogers had his knee drained (again) yesterday during the day. By game time, docs said there was no way he could play.

Have we seen the last of Rogers as an effective bench player? It seems like he is destined to go the Collinsworth route now with recurring nagging injuries.

This overall shooting malaise has coincided (somewhat) with Rogers being out. While he isn't the reason everyone is missing shots, I have to think that his presence out there had an impact...he helps spread the floor when he is healthy and that makes life easier for everyone.

[MarkGrace]

Zylchstra is a great name. Props to whomever came up with that one.

[cougjunkie]

If you guys want some entertainment today go over to Gonzagas board.

A few things I learned:

The horrible charge call on Harris changed the momentum of the game (even though he was given the basket)

If Gonzaga shoots their season averages they win this game.

If the Zags even play mediocre they kill BYU.

BYU didn't do anything to force the turnovers.

As bad as they played they were 1 or 2 made threes away from pulling it out.

The refs let BYU get away with so much. Tons of interior hacking by the bigs.

Harris was on pace for 14 and 12 if he would have receive his normal 35 minutes.

[higherroad]

No steaming nuggets of basketball knowledge from higherroad yet? Seems odd.

I offered my post-game thoughts above. Thanks for thinking of me though...

Based on what I've seen of Gonzaga this year, Stockton is the best guard on Gonzaga's team. Pangos has been getting all kinds of love and recognition from the media this season as one of the top freshmen in the country, but every time I've watched, Gonzaga has been better with Stockton running the team.

Stockton is the best guard...on the road or in clutch situations. Pangos has a more complete game, yet has cheesed it during high stakes games or on the road. I feel Coach Few is started to realize Pangos needs to grow up away from Spokane. He's a different player at the Kennel, yet your observations are astute and spot on.

Whatever play the Zags were running that resulted in their big man getting the ball right in the center of the lane 4 feet from the basket - can BYU copy that?

Holy Cow - it seemed like they had that all night if they wanted it. Can you imagine Davies getting the ball in that position over and over again?

We do a great job utilizing our bigs vs a Zone; however, we USUALLY make those buckets, especially Harris(who had his worst game of the season), Dower is/was automatic from short distance, and Sacre couldn't hold on to the ball -- missed two wide-open dunks last night...pitiful. BYU was one of the first teams we've seen all season to guard our big one-on-one for much of the game, its like we couldn't break through, take advantage vs tough defense, or step up to the pressure. Our post players seemed to rush every chance they got too, when they are typically very slow, deliberate, strong...last night they looked like little mice looking to mate...it was weird to watch. Credit BYU to react quickly and force the uncomfortable play.

I was amazed at how many Zags fans turned up. Big crowd up by us. They were pretty quiet after the first ten minutes though.

Zag fans travel very well, not as good as BYU per se, yet WCC gyms have been 40% GU fans all season. We weren't expecting as many in Provo, but if you we're amazed this game, just wait 'til Vegas. We send anyone and everyone. lol. I'm sure BYU will be amazingly well-represented as well. You'll see Higherroad bouncing around the Orleans all wkend, even with my expectations much lower this season, its still a good time.

If you guys want some entertainment today go over to Gonzagas board.

A few things I learned:

The horrible charge call on Harris changed the momentum of the game (even though he was given the basket)

If Gonzaga shoots their season averages they win this game.

If the Zags even play mediocre they kill BYU.

BYU didn't do anything to force the turnovers.

As bad as they played they were 1 or 2 made threes away from pulling it out.

The refs let BYU get away with so much. Tons of interior hacking by the bigs.

Harris was on pace for 14 and 12 if he would have receive his normal 35 minutes.

The most unreasonable posters post immediately following the game until 5am...off the cuff, emotional, irrational.

The most respected, established posters will follow-up today. Much more reason and analysis to be found starting this AM. The tone has changed already.

Besides, you didn't hear any of this conjecture from me following the game .
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BYU blasted us last night. Deserved to win from the opening tip. Interesting our top-3 scorers/players all logged 24 mins or less...our bench players were the most effective, clutch, and stepped up to a hostile team & arena. This was the only bright spot. While BYU was the better team last night, I did see two teams very comparable in terms of style, talent, and results. What I mean is, I think the next two games will be fun to watch. I still don't expect much outta my Zags, yet know these teams are nearly even when they play their best and when their starters actually play. Gonzaga seems to be playing too tight, too structured, too worried about making a mistake compared to early in the season when we played loose, free, took smart risks, etc. I have an odd feeling Coach Few is "over" coaching our youth. Sounds crazy, yet its apparent...our best bball is behind this team this season.

Again, Congrats on the big win. It was more than deserved.