Poor Gonzaga got trapped in the same scenario that Kentucky experienced in 1997. UK was involved in a knock down-drag out fight with Minnesota in the semi-final game, which we won. But left us completely gassed. Arizona won their semi-final without breaking a sweat. We just didn't have enough left in the tank to take out Arizona on Monday night, but we almost did anyway. You could tell Gonzaga was just a step slower in the first 5 minutes of last night's game.
Gonzaga---Kentucky
- Thread starter jackcarlson
- Start date
Except we took Arizona to OT in the title game. We had plenty in the tank. It's not like we got run off the floor.
Disagree, Gonzaga was outmatched last night....plain and simple. Aside from Suggs they didn’t have the athletes to keep up.
Very true. Suggs really looked like the only guy that belonged out there with Baylor's horses.
Don’t believe it. They were shell shocked bc they hadn’t faced guards that could defensively force them to start their offense above the “volleyball lines” and Baylor’s bigs were able to keep Timme out of position off the block.
Add that to Baylor’s guards were unguardable. The Zags just finally met a team w the athleticism to make their life difficult offensively, while having enough offensive skill to put pace them.
Add that to Baylor’s guards were unguardable. The Zags just finally met a team w the athleticism to make their life difficult offensively, while having enough offensive skill to put pace them.
Yep. And he still looked like the 3rd best guard on the floor. Teague being 4th.
Suggs has more long term potential but last night, Butler and Mitchell were both significantly better on both ends.
If you really think that Gonzaga was just tired or emotionally drained and that's the reason they lost, you know nothing about basketball. Gonzaga was so outmatched physically and skill wise last night. You could see it straight from the tip. Suggs was the only other player that could play with those guys.
money, you could be right, but methinks you are at least slightly exaggerating. I have seen Gonzaga several times this year, and last night, they just looked slower than usual. Fatigue will make one look less athletic while making the other team look better. And they were front-rimming their 3-point shots, indicating that they just didn't have their legs. GU didn't get ANY 50-50 balls!
I had no dog in this hunt, so the outcome didn't bother me. One thing that did bother me though, was : these were 2 teams who showed how to play the game, and we have NOT seen that in Lexington in too many years. All of our guys needed to watch this, to show that there is such a thing as REAL ball movement!
I had no dog in this hunt, so the outcome didn't bother me. One thing that did bother me though, was : these were 2 teams who showed how to play the game, and we have NOT seen that in Lexington in too many years. All of our guys needed to watch this, to show that there is such a thing as REAL ball movement!
we were the much better team. if all things had been equal, we would have run Arizona out of the gym
It certainly hurt Gonzaga, that's why I especially liked Baylor last night, but I think if Baylor and the Zags played 10 times Baylor would win at least 7 out of 10.
You could've played this game 100x and Baylor was going to be stronger and faster. The issue that Gonzaga program will regret was not getting that game re-scheduled from earlier in year. It's one thing to be outmatched in areas, but once your players take the court and experience it-you at least know what to expect going into the next matchup.
Suggs was competitive and tough as hell but he was no match for the speed/quickness as that's one of his weaknesses. He is strong enough to compete which showed but the speed was bothering him and really Zags caught a huge break when Mitchell ripped him on sideline and Suggs committed his 3rd foul which went uncalled to retrieve the ball.
But seeing guys like Kispert have to leave the game simply because Thamba was grown man strong, and Timme was beat to hell because he'd never faced a team this physical since WVU earlier in year-who also gave Zags trouble.
Best team won and that's upsetting to many in the media for some reason. Didn't see the outcry for a 38-0 UK Team that had some serious things go against them in loss to Wisconsin that were legit screw jobs--which if they happened to Zags we'd have Goodman, Borzello, etc...standing and screaming for investigations of the officials.
One thing I loved about last night's game though was the class of Few/Drew. I actually watched a CBB game that was about the players and game, not theatrics on the sideline. You didn't see crazy nonsense from Few like a few coaches do when the game is clearly decided and keep fouling, you didn't see a lot of crazy interactions with officials in what was a well officiated game.
I watched every Baylor game in NCAA's and the amount of halves they never got into the bonus was astonishing considering how CBB is officiated, their seeding, and how they aggressive they play. Didn't even make Drew/their team flinch. They just kept coming and still won. So impressive. But to officials credit-they often officiate based on the teams and didn't see a lot of whining/crying or coaches acting like morons (Hi Tom Izzo) and it was fun and refreshing to watch.
Suggs was competitive and tough as hell but he was no match for the speed/quickness as that's one of his weaknesses. He is strong enough to compete which showed but the speed was bothering him and really Zags caught a huge break when Mitchell ripped him on sideline and Suggs committed his 3rd foul which went uncalled to retrieve the ball.
But seeing guys like Kispert have to leave the game simply because Thamba was grown man strong, and Timme was beat to hell because he'd never faced a team this physical since WVU earlier in year-who also gave Zags trouble.
Best team won and that's upsetting to many in the media for some reason. Didn't see the outcry for a 38-0 UK Team that had some serious things go against them in loss to Wisconsin that were legit screw jobs--which if they happened to Zags we'd have Goodman, Borzello, etc...standing and screaming for investigations of the officials.
One thing I loved about last night's game though was the class of Few/Drew. I actually watched a CBB game that was about the players and game, not theatrics on the sideline. You didn't see crazy nonsense from Few like a few coaches do when the game is clearly decided and keep fouling, you didn't see a lot of crazy interactions with officials in what was a well officiated game.
I watched every Baylor game in NCAA's and the amount of halves they never got into the bonus was astonishing considering how CBB is officiated, their seeding, and how they aggressive they play. Didn't even make Drew/their team flinch. They just kept coming and still won. So impressive. But to officials credit-they often officiate based on the teams and didn't see a lot of whining/crying or coaches acting like morons (Hi Tom Izzo) and it was fun and refreshing to watch.
It really is that simple. Had very little to do with what happened on Saturday.
"You could've played this game 100x and Baylor was going to be stronger and faster. The issue that Gonzaga program will regret was not getting that game re-scheduled from earlier in year. It's one thing to be outmatched in areas, but once your players take the court and experience it-you at least know what to expect going into the next matchup."
I was really looking forward to that game at the time. But I'm now glad the #1 and #2 ranked teams had to wait until the finals to prove who was best.
I was really looking forward to that game at the time. But I'm now glad the #1 and #2 ranked teams had to wait until the finals to prove who was best.
Some people think the same thing happened to Wisconsin in 2015 . I would have been even sicker if we had pulled out that win and then duke and rat face broke our undefeated season because we hadnt recovered .
Ralph did bring up something that I appreciated about this tournament over previous ones. The officiating for the ENTIRE tournament was MUCH better than in times past. I would like to know why? You did not see endless FT shooting exhibitions and whole starting lineups fouling out. By and large, the refs let the players play and decide the games. Maybe it was the masks? If it was, I think they should wear masks all the time!
I said before the game that the overtime semifinal would be a factor.
Late game. It was a battle. It takes a lot out of you.
Baylor was the better team by far, but that semifinal game took its toll.
I wonder what the all-time record is for teams who played OT semifinal games then played in the final?
Anyone know?
Late game. It was a battle. It takes a lot out of you.
Baylor was the better team by far, but that semifinal game took its toll.
I wonder what the all-time record is for teams who played OT semifinal games then played in the final?
Anyone know?
If Derek Anderson would have played it would of been another national championship for Kentucky.
The media loved it when we got beat. They were sulking for Gonzaga this morning, though. The bias is real.
It might have something to do with the 4 refs that got sent home before the tourney started.....dunno
They were a step slower because they were just a step slower. A game played 48 hours earlier is not going to effect your speed/quickness the next time you step on the court. These are 19-21 year olds, not 40’s and 50’s that take time to recover.
Baylor was the best team, they just got very little attention compared to the Zags most of the season.
Baylor may very well have been undefeated if not for a 3 week layoff in the middle of the season. Even going into the tournament it appeared they were still rounding back into form.
Not even a comparison.
It was a long time ago so it is whatever...but Arizona shot over 40 free throws to our 15 or so. I don't recall the officiating...I was only 16 at the time, but a 25 FT advantage will get you every time. IIRC we had 4 or 5 guys foul out.
That is why we lost, plain and simple. Despite all that if Nazr hits a few we win in regulation.
No. Nazr not hitting free throws cost us 97. Get ur fact straight. Also no Derek Anderson finally caught up to us.
