Who's Going To Be The "Dog" Catcher in the WCC?

Let's just get it out of the way.  Two games in, the WCC final standings predictions are all over the place. Depending upon your source, SCU will finish fifth, seventh, or eighth.  For me, it's actually OK that we're not predicted to win the WCC - this year.  

BUT....We can be "unpredictable."

We can be the "wild horse" in the corral.  You know, the one nobody wants to ride or try to break.  For my "buck" that's a good edge for us to take to the floor.  Be feisty, stubborn, and unpredictable.   

As this team learns a whole new system under Coach Sendek, we're a bit schizophrenic right now.  That may be our wild card.  A team that takes Arizona to the final minutes, beats Valpo on the road and a team that let one slip away at Washington State.  

Ask USF.  Coming to Leavey touting an 11-3 non-con record and a swagger to go with it.  "Stampeded" by a harassing defense and solid offense,  left with a cold bus ride home and a lousy New Year's.  Nice!

Unpredictable...

I don't really care where we finish in league.  I do care about being strong against the "top three."  Winning two vs them would at least send a message:  "We're coming for you!"

You may remember, Mark Few started a "Fewd" at the end of last season when he basically called out the "middlers" in the WCC as needing to step it up.  His digs were both blunt and smart.

It definitely rattled cages around the league.  EVERYONE is upping the ante to be better.  SO, let's give him what he wants.  

The question is, who's going to be the "dog" catcher?  Maybe St. Mary's who has had success versus the Zags last season.  BYU?  BYU must beat Gonzaga once and probably finish second to salvage a chance for an NCAA bid.  

The answer?  It has to come from the middlers.  The teams Few called out.  SCU, USF, Portland, etc. have to be the dog catchers. You know the dog catchers?  They always show up when you least expect them.  That's how it's going to happen.  A loss or two when least expected.

A good spot for the dog catchers is either February 2, 4, 9 or 11. Three Zag road games deep into the season. At BYU.  SCU in Spokane on the 4th.  Down to LMU on the 9th and then at St. Mary's on the 11th.  IF, it happens, that could put the Zags in a 3 loss league situation.  In the "doghouse" where they may HAVE to win the WCC tourney.  Game on!

I'd love us to have that mindset, that edge.  The spoilers.  A win for SCU and "Fewer" wins for the dogs, would not only be a "step up" but a big step in the right direction.  Sounds great, but not easy.

Let's be honest.  The Zags have a 15 year head start.  While we we're building out our beautiful campus, they were building a Men's Basketball WCC dynasty.  That, oh BTW, put them on the national map and has created a fundraising bonanza.  

Now, at least, visible steps are in place to cause Mark Few to hear footsteps in the near future as we build back our tradition of MBB success.  

I predict we will get there.  We can start by being unpredictable this WCC season.  Be one of the wily dog catchers.  Using our "nets" by raining jumpers when the dogs come to Leavey.  

For all the middlers in the WCC, the disrespecting by Few has created a posse, bent on getting their man.   Every posse needs a great Bronco to ride and here we come.

He started the "Fewd."  Now we need to finish it!  Hopefully sooner than later...

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