Gonzaga Lovefest

[UKWildcats#8]

Am I missing something? A ton of people picking them to come out of the South?

I figured if people picked someone other than Duke the majority would be Iowa State.

I just look at Gonzaga and see a team that is great offensively, but plays no D. Duke is the same thing, but has much better athletes and they have Okafor. I suppose Gonzaga could beat them....but geez, I'm surprised by the Gonzaga lovefest.

I of course would love to see it. I just don't see it.

 

[ukwazoo]

I think Gonzaga is overrated, too, but that region is a joke. Anyone could win it.
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[JerseyCat84_rivals57050]

Not sure about it either. Though I will say I rather Gonzaga come out of that region than Duke.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Any team that loses to BYU at home is not sniffing the Elite Eight let alone the FF.

 

[Blue63Madison]

College basketball is way down. Other than UK, no one else would be anything but an unexpected champ this year. Gonzaga is talented, big and well coached. Duke gets an athletic edge, but that's their only edge. I haven't decided yet who I'm picking, but I can certainly see why many are going with Gonzaga.

 

[fredmanthecatfan]

I am picking SMU over Zaga and dook.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

This region is mapped out for Duke to easily get to the FF. If anybody even keeps it close in a game, the refs will be ready with their well-timed block/charge call that always benefits the Mighty Blue Floppers.

 

[Baldcat1]

Gonzaga is decent, but no way they make it to championship game or final four.

 

[musrat59]

I would love to see Kyle's team reach the final four.

 

[KingOfBBN]

Gonzaga burst onto the scene in 1999 after the Elite 8 finish and became a darling. Ever since then, they have made it to exactly ZERO Elite 8s. Their best chance at doing anything was in 2006 when Adam Morrison and them had UCLA beat and collapsed in the final minute. UCLA went on to the national title. Gonzaga would have made it to the Final Four if not for that game.

 

[Myron Gaines]

Originally posted by HeismanWildcat85:
Gonzaga burst onto the scene in 1999 after the Elite 8 finish and became a darling. Ever since then, they have made it to exactly ZERO Elite 8s. Their best chance at doing anything was in 2006 when Adam Morrison and them had UCLA beat and collapsed in the final minute. UCLA went on to the national title. Gonzaga would have made it to the Final Four if not for that game.

Gators won it that year. UCLA was runner up.

 

[barryn2000]

I think marketing has a lot to do with brackets...they have their dream final four & championship to think about when they seed.
I think they'd die for a Duke UK final....UK-Zaga 2nd choice.

 

[kyjeff1]

Ahhhh, 63Madison with the classic "college basketball is down this year" BS. college basketball is the same every year yet we always get some clown talking about how down college basketball is. It's the one and done era but still, the athletes get better and better thanks to AAU and better coaching.

As far as Gonzaga, the OP is definitely not alone. I'm stunned at the respect they're getting for such a below the rim team that can't play defense. There is no way they beat duke and get to a ff. If they do I will gladly eat crow.
If Gonzaga bows out early…. again, hopefully the talking heads finally learn their lesson.

 

[BigBlue1121]

If Duke loses early, the Zags could definitely get to the Final 4. But if they face Duke in E8, sorry Zags, back home you go.

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

Kenpom Rankings - Gonzaga 6th, Duke 7th
Sagarin Rankings - Gonzaga 7th Duke 5th

Offensive Efficiency Ratings - Gonzaga 6th, Duke 3rd
Defensive Efficiency Ratings - Gonzaga 20th, Duke 57th

I'm not a big believer in Gonzaga. For all the talk about non power conference teams getting shafted when it comes to teams in the tournament, I think sometimes these metrics overrated those teams. I'm just not a big believer in Gonzaga, Utah, Northern Iowa, Wichita St, VCU, Stephen F Austin etc etc. In the end, the power conference teams will prevail.

That being said, Duke isn't good on defense either. A game between Gonzaga and Duke should be a fun high scoring game tho.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

Originally posted by The_Answer1313:
Kenpom Rankings - Gonzaga 6th, Duke 7th
Sagarin Rankings - Gonzaga 7th Duke 5th

Offensive Efficiency Ratings - Gonzaga 6th, Duke 3rd
Defensive Efficiency Ratings - Gonzaga 20th, Duke 57th

I'm not a big believer in Gonzaga. For all the talk about non power conference teams getting shafted when it comes to teams in the tournament, I think sometimes these metrics overrated those teams. I'm just not a big believer in Gonzaga, Utah, Northern Iowa, Wichita St, VCU, Stephen F Austin etc etc. In the end, the power conference teams will prevail.

That being said, Duke isn't good on defense either. A game between Gonzaga and Duke should be a fun high scoring game tho.

That's how I feel about them, too. Zags are getting the bump from the Media, and I'll definitely root for them if they play Duke... but it's more likely that it's propaganda to set the stage for a possible Glorious Duke Victory storyline.