Gonzaga comes to town Thursday "walking the dog" with a 17-0 start and lots of confidence. Rightly so. Their stat sheet is uber. Nearly first in every key area. Their roster, relatively young, big, solid, and deep. They expect to win. They probably will...
But, to me, that's not what's this game is about.
It's a measuring stick of not just where we are, but where we want to go. An examination of the learning curve of where our re-booted program is against the standard bearer in the WCC and the national relevance we are seeking.
In talking with coaches this week, there is no fear, just excitement to compete against another highly ranked team and test our mettle.
The game plan. Focus on the things we can execute to maximize our opportunities to put a leash on the Dogs and steal one from a team who hasn't been road tested much this season.
Mark Few hates playing at Leavey. Too many bad memories of great escapes. Last minute victories that are haunting to coaches. For the Zags, the stakes are much higher, carrying the weight of soaring national expectations. Few knows teams with nothing to lose often don't...
Coaches keys. Disrupt.
Everything in the half court flows through the bigs, Karnowski and Collins. They can both score it and are good passers. We'll show a variety of defensive looks here. Straight up with "E", show and release double teams, try to bait so we can either get some steals or force a late in the clock three.
Their guards are big, quick, and can shoot and drive it. Williams-Goss is their main "go to". We'll try to guard with a posse of JB, KJ, Hauser, Wardlow, and Healy. Force the action over the high screen/rolls and try to make their looks as hard as possible. Having Wardlow back is a plus for us because his size can stop some of their one on one success.
It's a pick your poison, defense by triage plan.
For us, it's about executing our screen/rolls and moving the ball to spots where we know we can be successful. Jared, as always, will be hounded and doubled to limit his looks. This can create openings for Feagin, Hauser, Healy, Henrik, and Nate to do some damage.
If KJ can penetrate, that creates options for him to dish or finish and draw fouls. We'll push the ball when opportunities arise and be patient otherwise - try to control the tempo to our pace.
It's a tough test. I know our coaches and players will give it their best. Our "grade" my not be reflected in the final score; more a progress report on our journey to national.
As fans, we can try to make Leavey SO loud to make it claustrophobic for the Zags and do our part to disrupt.
I know one thing for sure. We'd all love it if the Zags left Leavey with one "Fewer" win.
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