Gonzaga Travels to WMG to Take on USF
By Josh Horton
Jan 29, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard
Gary Bell, Jr. (5) reacts after scoring a basket against the Santa Clara Broncos at Leavey Center. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the Santa Clara Broncos 54-52. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga (19-3, 9-1) at San Francisco (14-8, 7-3)
Date: Saturday, February 1st, 2014
Location: War Memorial Gymnasium, San Francisco, Calif.
Time: 7:00 PM PST
TV: CSNBA, ROOT SPORTS NW & RM, TWC SPORTSNET
Video: thew.tv
Last Season: Gonzaga won both matchups
PROJECTED STARTERS
San Francisco
Gonzaga
Gary Bell Jr.
LIVESTREAM *Brought to you by thew.tv (Subject to Blackout):
Myself and our fellow staff writer James Stapleton chatted about the upcoming No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in the WCC. Enjoy!
JH: Opening Question, what were your first thoughts when USF took control of second place in the WCC?
JS: My first thought was that USF has a real chance to finish the regular season as one of the top three teams in the conference. I know this could have easily been one of the goals, but with all of the drama that has happened since opening day, it was impressive to see the Dons follow through so well.
JH: I predicted that the Dons would turn some heads in the WCC this season, and seeing them struggle in the non-conference was a bit of a disappointment. However, it has been great to see them pick it up in conference play and here we are: 1 vs. 2 in the WCC standing facing off with each other.
Back to focusing more on the game: What about Gonzaga scares you?
JS: What scares me as a Dons fan is the knowledge that Gonzaga should be better then they were in December. USF had a very difficult time in Spokane in the first week of the WCC schedule. Now that the Bulldogs are healthier, I can only imagine that the Dons will have a tougher time. USF has been wonderful with its front court in recent games. However, Karnowski owned the Dons the first time around. Now that you add Dower and Gary Bell Jr… how can you not have a tougher opponent?
JH: Do you think the Bulldogs are more vulnerable after they struggled against Santa Clara on Wednesday?
JS: I think when a team like Gonzaga loses a game, they get fired up. When they lost to Portland, they went into Pepperdine on a mission. With that being said, I am happy they pulled off the win in Santa Clara, not only did the Broncos lose (Dons fans love seeing that) but Gonzaga didn’t get a rude awakening because they pulled off the win. So in a way, yes, I believe they are more vulnerable compared to the possibility that they have lost in Santa Clara. However, I do not believe this makes them an easier team to beat.
Tight games against Gonzaga can only help USF, or any other WCC team for that matter, because it provides a blueprint on how to keep the Zags on their toes.
JS: What do you believe are the main contributing factors to Gonzaga’s weaker performances this season?
JH: When Pangos doesn’t play well/is blanked by he defense, the Zags’ tend to struggle. When he is on, the Bulldogs are awfully tough to beat. Their offense needs him to get his shots to fall, because he impacts most of their offensive success.
Why do you think Gonzaga has struggled at War Memorial the last few years? Is there any logical explanation from your perspective?
JS: I really do not know why the Zags’ struggle in San Francisco. The Green & Gold never dominate the game; the Dons just seem to linger around and catch fire in the last ten minutes. I know Cody Doolin‘s work defensively gave USF a great shot to stay in the game, but the Dons do not have that weapon anymore. I remember the Adam Morrison days when the USF/GU games at War Memorial Gym were just absolute blowouts. The Zags would roll and the game was over early in the second half. In the most recent years, USF has been able to piece things together the second half and win some ballgames in come from behind fashion.
JH: Why do you think that is? Do you think it has something to do with Rex Walters coaching or do you think its just a coincidence?
JS: If the Dons beat the Zags, I would have to say it’s not the players on the court but the coaching on the bench that must directly effect the outcome of the games in San Francisco. Players come and go (most of the time every four years or so), but only Cole Dickerson was part of the 2010-2011 team that first beat the Zags at home.
If the Zags win, I am willing to believe it was the players on the floor during those three years just had what it took to pull off the win.
JH: What aspect of the game do you think USF could take advantage of during this game to pull off the upset again?
JS: I believe USF can improve on their shooting. In December, USF shot 25% and the leading scorer was Avry Holmes with 12 points – not an impressive showing at all. Kruize Pinkins was the worse offender making none of his shots unless they were from the free throw line.
Further, the Dons have a better starting five since week one of the WCC schedule. Pinkins has found his own in the front court and Matt Glover has assisted Cole Dickerson well with rebounding. This team has been gradually maturing and making less mental mistakes on the floor. As they become comfortable in their own skin, they give a greater team effort and produce a better 40 minutes of basketball.
What weapons concern you the most on San Francisco’s squad?
JS: Their versatile bigs, for sure. It seems as if Tollefsen, Dickerson and Pinkins have found their stride and all can do different things exceptionally well. As good as Karnowksi and Dower are, they’re not as athletic and could get torched by this trio at times. I would expect a lot of Kyle Dranginis and Angel Nunez to play a considerable amount to counteract this.
Particular matchup you expect to standout?
JS: Pinkins and Karnowski will be what I will be watching. Karnowski simply had to put up his hands in December and took care of Kruize. Kruize was absolutely lost, but since Spokane he has become a force for the Dons. What will be even more enteraining is when Pinkins hits the bench, I believe Walters will send in Tao Xu to defend Karnowski. Tao may not be used often, but he actually played decent against Erik Mika.
JH: I’m excited about the benches. I think the starters matchup with each other pretty evenly, and it will eventually come down to the benches. GU”s bench has a lot of depth that they can utilize to their advantage.
Prediction?
JS: My prediction is 73-65 Dons – one overtime.
JH: Dons win 79-77 in regulation.