I have no problem with how we played today. Our kids fought hard but got homered badly--16 more points for Santa Clara at the line, roughly the difference in the final score.
But once again our twin bugaboos popped up: The absence of big rim protectors combined with these maddening scoring droughts. It seemed after we tied the game in the second half they just pounded the ball inside at will, the while we went stone cold on offense. I think we endured an 18-4 streak which sealed the game for them.
And by the way, where was Scott Blakney today?
Two players that stood out for me: DCH (how I wish we had two more of him, both 6'10") and Cameron Parker, who opens up a lot of offense for us with his deft moves to the basket. It looks to me like he creates some lob dunk opportunities for DCH and Anderson.
But in the spirit of a rising tide lifts all boats, Gonzaga has lifted the WCC to new heights. I know that ticket prices have soared at USF, a program on the rebound, while the chance to compete at least twice a year with Gonzaga in a nationally highlighted game has greatly enhanced recruiting opportunities throughout the league. It used to be that when we went to play Pacific, USF or Santa Clara, we could figure to be pretty evenly matched. Not any more. And even though we held Jalen Williams in check, this is an NBA caliber guard, a level of talent you're going to find more and more throughout the WCC.
Whether it's us or Weber or Eastern again, we need somebody in this conference to establish a national reputation. There's no FCS championship here; when it comes to basketball, we're in with the big boys.
But once again our twin bugaboos popped up: The absence of big rim protectors combined with these maddening scoring droughts. It seemed after we tied the game in the second half they just pounded the ball inside at will, the while we went stone cold on offense. I think we endured an 18-4 streak which sealed the game for them.
And by the way, where was Scott Blakney today?
Two players that stood out for me: DCH (how I wish we had two more of him, both 6'10") and Cameron Parker, who opens up a lot of offense for us with his deft moves to the basket. It looks to me like he creates some lob dunk opportunities for DCH and Anderson.
But in the spirit of a rising tide lifts all boats, Gonzaga has lifted the WCC to new heights. I know that ticket prices have soared at USF, a program on the rebound, while the chance to compete at least twice a year with Gonzaga in a nationally highlighted game has greatly enhanced recruiting opportunities throughout the league. It used to be that when we went to play Pacific, USF or Santa Clara, we could figure to be pretty evenly matched. Not any more. And even though we held Jalen Williams in check, this is an NBA caliber guard, a level of talent you're going to find more and more throughout the WCC.
Whether it's us or Weber or Eastern again, we need somebody in this conference to establish a national reputation. There's no FCS championship here; when it comes to basketball, we're in with the big boys.
