11. Gonzaga
2007-08 record: 25-8 (13-1), 1st in West Coast
Lost to Davidson in NCAA tournament first round.
Coach: Mark Few, 236-60, 9 years
Last NCAA miss: 1998
2008-09 roster: [view]
2008-09 schedule: [view]
Key players:
G--Jeremy Pargo, 6-2, Sr. (12.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.0 apg)
G--Matt Bouldin, 6-5, Jr. (12.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
G--Steve Gray, 6-4, So. (8.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg)
F--Austin Daye, 6-10, So. (10.5 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
F--Josh Heytvelt, 6-11, Sr. (10.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
G--Micah Downs, 6-8, Sr. (7.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
G--Grant Gibbs, 6-5, Fr.
C--Robert Sacre, 7-0, So. (2.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
F--Ira Brown, 6-4, Sr. (1.2 ppg, 1.0 rpg)
The good: Fans have gotten past all the old Gonzaga issues. The Bulldogs belong. But the frustration still exists for Gonzaga fans. Two straight years of one-and-done in The Big Dance will do that. This time should be different. With Jeremy Pargo back at the point, surrounded by Austin Daye, Josh Heytvelt, Matt Bouldin and Steven Gray, the Bulldogs should make a deeper run in the tournament this season.
The bad: Gonzaga no longer exists in a vacuum in the West Coast Conference. Saint Mary’s has emerged a major player. That’s probably a good thing. But it doesn’t mean the Bulldogs are backing down during the non-conference portion of the schedule. Connecticut, Arizona, Tennessee, Washington State and Memphis are all waiting this time around.
The unknown: Heytvelt always seems to have a health issue. He is bouncing back from offseason foot surgery. Daye injured his knee over the summer, but early fears that he tore his ACL apparently were incorrect. Coach Mark Few will have to keep a close eye on both. Freshman guards Grant Gibbs and Demetri Goodson should contribute at both guard positions, if necessary.
