LA Griz and Dexter:
You haven't answered any of my questions. Your main point that links Montana and Gonzaga is that they are both mid-majors. True. So is Butler. So is Xavier. Montana is not competitive with any of these programs and it isn't close. The Duke game was an awful display of our program, but one game is not indicative of the program's overall stature, unless of course you will concede that losses at powerhouse programs Denver and Idaho state are indicative of YOUR program. And, by the way, the MSUB game was an exhibition game for the Zags. It didn't count. It was a warmup. For every easy game we played this year, I can name 2 more games that were not. Cincinnati. Colorado. Wake Forrest. Duke. Michigan State. Wisconsin. Washington State. Oklahoma. Memphis. EWU because it is 20 minutes away. They haven't beaten us since the beginning of the Clinton Administration.
The contention that Gonzaga "isn't as good as the media thinks they are" is supported by one poll, perhaps the ESPN/USA Today poll. The coaches poll suggests that the Zags are as good as people with actual basketball knowledge DO think that Gonzaga is that good. I know it frustrates you that the mid-major poll has been dominated by Gonzaga, but that poll is meaningless outside of mid-majors. We Zags do not care about that poll, because ultimately it does not contribute to our seeding and is irrelevant come tourney time.
Nice dig on the lack of a football program, but be honest. Does Montana really have a basketball program? Losing to Idaho State and tanking so badly at the end of last season suggests that you have a shell of a program. Gonzaga doesn't need a football program to have elite facilities with an elite coach, elite players, and a dedicated fan base. I have been to U of M games, LA Griz, and they do not regularly sell out. They do not have a dedicated traveling fan base. Their alumni are limited to the greater Montana and Northwest.
It is remarkable that Griz arrogance extends beyond what they can legitimately call a powerhouse football program (readily conceded), but also to what they CANNOT legitimately call a powerhouse basketball program. I know it is infuriating to have the dominant program of the West Coast only three hours to the west, but be realistic. Montana isn't Gonzaga. Montana can't compete with Gonzaga. Montana will get a win against some lowly team in the WCC and call it a strong victory. Gonzaga will do the same thing, televised on ESPN, because it is what we are supposed to do.
Sorry Griz basketball fans. You have an excellent football program and should be proud of it. Your basketball program is a nice little upstart, but it isn't competitive with Gonzaga. If you think differently, LA Griz, you might want to delve into the facts before you start spewing nonsense.
