Gonzaga fans probably aren't feeling too comfortable after the Bulldogs lost at home to Portland State, 77-70. Most fans can rationalize a loss to No. 2 Connecticut, but have a little bit harder time digesting a loss to Portland State. Don't.
Hey, I'm not going to sit here and spin yarns about Portland State being in the same class as Connecticut, Tennessee or Memphis. But that's part of the problem right there. These are still college kids and after playing a grueling game against Connecticut, you can imagine that these kids weren't fired up about playing Portland State.
The Vikings (yeah, that's their nickname) certainly were. This was a season-making game for them and they certainly played like it. Gonzaga, not so much. And you can't blame coach Mark Few. He likely stressed how important this game was, but kids can be kids.
If there is one nagging concern about this team, they seem to lack a certain toughness. Josh Heytvelt seems to play a little timid at times. I like his game and remember him doing great against some of the nation's best. But he really needs to start butching up a little bit. He only had one foul, he really needs to assert himself on the floor at times.
But hey, everybody has problems. And Gonzaga is still certainly capable of being a Final Four team. They just need to fine tune some things and get serious about games like this.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GU is not even a top 32 team. Few cant tech them to close a game out. They have no killer instinc, and they fold up like a deck of cards late in a game. I love the program, but am sick and tired of watching his poor coaching, and more their weak play when they need it. Against Tennesee, they almost folded after having a 19 point lead. They dont know "HOW" to win. All of the great teams finish. Sorry Few, but you need to learn a "few" things about teaching how to close.
Why downgrade a great performance by Portland State. They obviously came to play ball. If the Zags want to be a Top 20 team..they too need to show up to play..not just against other Top 20 teams but every game. It seems to be the philosophy of many teams..to not play to win, but to play to protect your lead...and that is why so many games are lost.
Gonzaga is exposed! Boot them out of the top 25 polls. Now they coast through a real weak league, where they win 95% of their games. Get in a real conference and see what kind of a winning percentage they have. It was fun to see their coaches' expression when he had to shake a real coaches hand after the loss to Connecticutt in the Battle of Seattle. How come he has to look so p.o'd on the bench? It is a disgrace to the fine school Gonzaga is. Dale