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

[TripletDaddy]

Our crappy long-distance shooting can't last forever...

http://blog.cougarstats.com/2012/01/...of-the-threes/

Probably not. But it can last through this season.

[higherroad]

Our crappy long-distance shooting can't last forever...

http://blog.cougarstats.com/2012/01/...of-the-threes/

You're right and Gonzaga is in a similar boat. We were shooting 39% as a team from 3pt until 2 wks ago...its partly due to poor WCC officiating as we're forced to throw up bad shots since the refs don't allowed to post up anymore.

The Zags are ranked 100th in 3pt FG defense, so chances are, BYU has open shots all night...its a matter if they make or miss 'em. Most teams/players have career nights vs our perimeter defense.

That said, we have pretty solid interior defense, so strength vs strength here...

[MartyFunkhouser]

What is the over under on points and rebounds for Gonzaga's NBA frontcourt?

[Blueintheface]

Probably not. But it can last through this season.

I think of all people the Notorious BRZ will be the one to lift the lid. He will do so against Portland. (They're in this stupid conference, right?)

[Surfah]

Excited for our game!

Keep in mind, this could very well be just 1 of potentially 3 match-ups this season. For instance, if the Zags are a 2-seed & BYU is a 3-seed or vice versa, we'll most likely face one another in WCC Semi's.

I'll provide thoughts/analysis as we approach tip-off...

FYI: two of our starters, PG - Pangos and SF - Edi, are out of practice today with nasty respiratory infections. I'm sure they'll be OK by Thurs.

I know that sounds like some sort of excuse, just reporting updates.

Can't wait!

ps. just noticed Carlino is listed as a 'freshman'. Is that correct? How many yrs of eligibility does he have remaining? Will he have 3 full yrs after this season? Just curious...

3 full years. He should be a true freshman this year. He graduated HS a year early to play for UCLA. Got to UCLA and Howland didn't deliver on some of the promises. Then Carlino suffered a concussion and had to sit a game or two. Once he was cleared he never got off the bench despite walk-ons getting PT ahead of him. Supposedly in a post game press conference Howland was asked by a reporter why Carlino wasn't playing despite being cleared to play. Howland said he just forgot. That didn't sit well with Carlino especially after Howland talked him into graduating early to play the point for them. Also, there seems to have been an altercation between Carlino and Reeves Nelson that was the final straw. That's the rumors anyway. Carlino has only spoken positively of the situation and UCLA.

[higherroad]

What is the over under on points and rebounds for Gonzaga's NBA frontcourt?

huh? NBA?

Elias Harris has a very good shot someday(fwiw, he has scouts to watch him every game), yet the rest will be Europe bound or D-League at best...

Elias was considered a "lottery pick" following his freshman season, yet after suffering a separated shoulder & achilles sprain at the beginning of his Sophomore season, he had a poor season w/ 12ppg, 6rpg.

This season he's at 14ppg, 8rpg in just 28 mins per game. He's still a work in progress, but his athleticism is blue-chip, his body is perfect for SF, yet his game is more PF based with his poor ball-handling and lack of passing. but he's too short to play pf at the next level.

He's a 4-year player and considering the NBA hype he's had in the past and a few scouts pretty high on him again, I could see him making the League after next season.

fwiw, Gonzaga has had 4-5 players drafted since '01 and only two Lottery Picks during that time. edit to add: 5 NBA draftees since '01-'02.

The ONLY current player I see making the NBA is Gary Bell Jr. He is the next 'Gonzaga Great' if you will. He's the type of quiet player who could take over at any moment, yet reels it in...he's currently our best shooter, 3pt shooter, defender, passer, yet defers all the time right...he's the type of player who shoots 2-3 from 3pt every game and everyone BEGS for him to shoot more and take it to the rim, b/c he's automatic at both.

[Guest]

huh? NBA?

Elias Harris has a very good shot someday(fwiw, he has scouts to watch him every game), yet the rest will be Europe bound or D-League at best...

Elias was considered a "lottery pick" following his freshman season, yet after suffering a separated shoulder & achilles sprain at the beginning of his Sophomore season, he had a poor season w/ 12ppg, 6rpg.

This season he's at 14ppg, 8rpg in just 28 mins per game. He's still a work in progress, but his athleticism is blue-chip, his body is perfect for SF, yet his game is more PF based with his poor ball-handling and lack of passing. but he's too short to play pf at the next level.

He's a 4-year player and considering the NBA hype he's had in the past and a few scouts pretty high on him again, I could see him making the League after next season.

fwiw, Gonzaga has had 4-5 players drafted since '01 and only two Lottery Picks during that time. edit to add: 5 NBA draftees since '01-'02.

The ONLY current player I see making the NBA is Gary Bell Jr. He is the next 'Gonzaga Great' if you will. He's the type of quiet player who could take over at any moment, yet reels it in...he's currently our best shooter, 3pt shooter, defender, passer, yet defers all the time right...he's the type of player who shoots 2-3 from 3pt every game and everyone BEGS for him to shoot more and take it to the rim, b/c he's automatic at both.

I think Pangos is the best player the Zags have from what I have seen. He is gonna be really good. I think it is interesting to see politics play out on the Zags team as Stockton's kid has no business playing let alone starting. He is BYU's version of Brock Zylchstra except he smaller and has no jump shot.

[higherroad]

I think it is interesting to see politics play out on the Zags team as Stockton's kid has no business playing let alone starting. He is BYU's version of Brock Zylchstra except he smaller and has no jump shot.

No arguments from me here. The name on the back of the jersey can go a long way to appease certain fans[namely John] in the stands at every home game or certain boosters behind the scenes.

I respect Stockton as a walk-on considering he didn't receive a single D1 or any offer for that matter, but 15-20 mins per game is ridiculous, esp since there are better back-up options at guard, imho.

This exact topic has created the biggest debates/arguments/dichotomy on our Message Board since Adam Morrison. It can get heated.

Pangos has a bright future as a very good college player, yet given his physical limitations(6'1", 185lbs) and lack of quickness, he'll never advance past glory years at Gonzaga.

I still maintain Gary Bell jr is our future, bonafide star. The only thing holding him back from 15+ppg(currently around 9.5) is his desire to please Few by not taking enough risks & subsequent mistakes. I'm sure you've felt this way in the past with certain players with the best talent. Bell is our best all-around player and being held back, imo. When he 'turns it on', he's unstoppable, both from the perimeter and attacking the rim. His future is the brightest from a long-term perspective.

Maybe you feel similar about Carlino or maybe felt a similar way when Jimmer was a Freshman?

[higherroad]

Gary Parrish & Jason Horowitz

CBS's Video Preview of #24 GU @ BYU:

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgPScG1-Tdo"]24 Gonzaga vs. BYU preview - YouTube[/nomedia]


Nice breakdown.

[higherroad]

***Noah Hartsock & Matt Carlino in-studio discussing Gonzaga game, how to improve shooting from 3pt line, & just getting better every game:

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jkNN50Wbl0&rel=0"]Noah Hartsock & Matt Carlino in-studio - YouTube[/nomedia]



ARTICLE #1 'Cougars say they need to walk line to improvement, and not just from 3-point line'

Several BYU basketball players stuck around the Marriott Center long after practice officially ended Tuesday, getting help from team staffers to take a large quantity of extra 3-point shots.
Yes, the arc is on the downward trend these days. And, as coach Dave Rose points out (not that he needs to in this case), it's not just one or two guys struggling.

"We're disappointed just from watching tape," Hartsock said of the 14-point loss to SMC in Provo last Saturday. "From the first game (Dec. 29, a 16-point BYU loss), we tried to correct mistakes, but we still made them."

Not a good trend, considering new top-25 member, and the WCC's top (Bull)dog, Gonzaga, is on town Thursday.
"It's a big deal," BYU center Brandon Davies said. "Not just because they're a big-name team, but because we're coming off a loss."

Much more HERE.

***Blaine Fowler in-studio & joins Dave McCann to talk about what the Cougars need to go to get a win Thursday against Gonzaga:

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b27thM7czdE&rel=0"]Blaine Fowler in-studio - YouTube[/nomedia]



ARTICLE #2: BYU basketball: Struggling Y. hasn't 'abandoned ship'

After suffering two consecutive home losses for the first time since the 2004-05 season, including last Saturday's humbling setback to nationally ranked Saint Mary's, the BYU basketball team is working hard this week to turn things around.

And the Cougars have a heightened sense of urgency because they host another ranked team, No. 24 Gonzaga, on Thursday (9 p.m. MST, ESPN2).

Senior forward Noah Hartsock said his team is "disappointed" with the way it played last Saturday.

"We addressed those problems," he said. "We're getting back to the basics. We're focused on really competing and playing harder than the other team … If we can continue to get better, we can do really good down the stretch of conference play and then in the West Coast Conference Tournament."

Much more HERE.

[Surfah]

WTF? 11pm EST tip?

[higherroad]

I'm going to lay off the analysis for this particular game(too close to the vest) -- I've offered long-winded posts re: your recent match-ups with LMU & St Marys, yet pointless to babble about this game considering the amount of videos, articles, game notes, hype everywhere you look. If you haven't noticed(or simply don't care), ESPN, Sporting News, CBS Sports, Fox Sports, et el all have breakdowns of this game. Its one of the "kitchen sink" 'games of the week'. All eyes are in Provo tonight, well for those that can stay awake.

After listening to a multitude of interviews from your guys & then our guys this week(in articles/videos/media day), I'd say your Coaches & Players seem WAY more motivated -- anyone reading & listening would concur. The Zag players are all jokes, smiles, and a bit aloof about this game. BYU guys are focused, intense, and seem like you're on a mission. This concerns me as a GU fan. I was already nervous enough about playing on the road, b/c we've played poorly, not to mention playing in your hostile arena.

I just have a feeling the players, along with the fans, will be seething for victory. The ol' chip on your shoulder applies here. We don't seem to have it for this game. You do. Playing with a edge at home is dangerous for any opponent. It just has the palpable feeling the Cougs are backed into a corner and want to come out fighting. Not quite "wounded" yet, but pretty darn close. Ever come face to face with a wounded cougar? Yeah, neither have I.

Point is, I don't feel the Zags have the 'edge' tonight. The kind of focus & p!ssed off mentality St Mary's has been playing with since being in our shadow for more than a decade. Based on all the fodder, chatter, and interviews, I get the sense BYU has it for this game.

The Zags can still develop this, yet not in time. This may be the game that lights the proverbial fire under their a$$es. I feel it might be needed at this juncture. GU is playing to keep pace with St Mary's; BYU is playing for all the marbles. I like the latter.

Vegas has the Cougs favored by 3.5 tonight at home.

I say BYU by 9 pts at halftime and win by 6 down the stretch -- BYU hits 7 three's. The Cougs find their shooting stroke from 3pt just in time. btw, IF Carlino/Zylstra/Abouo continue their woeful perimeter shooting, Zags by 12.

Overall, it should be a very good game. Looking forward to it. I just hope the WCC officials don't ruin the fun for everyone and no injuries.

Also, there is a likely chance this is just 1 of 3 games we'll be playing in the next 4 weeks.

ps. we're missing one of our front court players tonight, yet so are you(Rodgers), so its a moot point.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

If BYU loses this one it is going to be a long drive up and back to Portland Saturday to watch an NIT team play a team not good enough for the CBI.

[TripletDaddy]

Glut of tickets for this game. As usual, fools speculated and now are stuck with extra. Why do people do this in Utah? Is it for the inevitable rush of last-second big spenders that are looking to throw down huge dollars to watch Ute and Cougar sports?

KSL has lower chairs for $10 right now.

[TripletDaddy]

I think this means that there will be space in the Big Mac tonight. I guess a 9PM tip against Gonzaga isn't a big draw when you are out of NCAA tourney contention.

makes you wonder whether most fans in general DO want to lose in the B12 rather than win against lousy competition. Utah had tickets available for every home game this season despite a nice home schedule. Tonight's basketball game against a big name opponent should be a hot ticket. I guess fans care more about winning teams than the name of the opponent.