WCC Tournament Team Preview: Gonzaga
By Sam Falcone
#1 Gonzaga Bulldogs
Record: 29-2, 17-1
Postseason Prediction: NCAA Tournament (#2 seed)
WCC Tournament – Quarterfinals:
- Saturday, March 7, 2015
- Time: 6:00 PM Pacific
- Opponent: #8 San Francisco (13-17, 7-11) OR #9 Pacific (12-18, 4-14)
Stats Leaders:
- Points: Kyle Wiltjer Waldow (16.5 PPG)
- Rebounds: Domantas Sabonis (7.0 RPG)
- Assists: Kevin Pangos (5.0 APG)
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The Zags had their 41-game win streak at the McCarthey Athletic Center snapped by BYU last week. They likely lost their chance at a#1 seed in the NCAA Tournament as they dropped in both the AP and USA Today rankings. That being said, this loss could be exactly what Gonzaga needs to spark a relentless fire heading into the tournament. The team is hungry for some redemption, and they are still the #1 seed in Vegas. Yeah, I’d say they’re trending upward.
How the Bulldogs Can Win it All
Play your heart out for the full length of the game. The Zags have played atrociously in the first half of their past couple games. We’ve seen what they’re capable of against the likes of Arizona, St. John’s, and SMU. This is an incredibly talented and deep squad. If the team can function together throughout the first AND second half, the sky is the limit. If not, get ready to hear a lot of “SEE GUYS I TOLD YOU THEY WERE OVERRATED.”
They are still far and away the best team in the WCC, and there’s no reason they can’t still roll to another WCC Championship if they play well. Pangos and the guard must shoot well, and Wiltjer needs to play like the best player on the court. There’s not much to be said other than if they play their game and play it well, they will win it all again in Vegas.
Predicted Finish
The Bulldogs should bounce back from the BYU loss and win it all. Pacific and San Francisco stand no chance in the quarterfinals, and Pepperdine and San Diego are good but not good enough to knock them out in the semifinals. So it will all come down to a finals matchup with likely BYU or Saint Mary’s. Lightning won’t strike twice for the Cougars, and Gaels are not playing well enough right now to even make the finals, much less upset the Zags.
It should be two easy wins and a less lopsided but still convincing win in the finals as they win it all and rebuild some lost momentum before heading into the NCAA Tournament.