Properly, that was a tricky watch. Gonzaga got here out towards Portland not fairly trying like themselves and, in a repeat of final 12 months’s WCC Match championship, fell to the Pilots 66-67 on Tuesday afternoon.
Gonzaga had their worst total capturing efficiency of the season as they went 26-70 (37%) and their second worst, tied with their first matchup towards Portland, three level capturing as they solely made 5 of their 20 makes an attempt. Whereas a few of this pertains to a lid seemingly being on the basket, the staff actually couldn’t generate nice appears on a sizeable variety of their alternatives. This may be seen particularly when realizing that Gonzaga had 0 fastbreak factors on this recreation. I haven’t persistently commented on or tracked fastbreak factors this season, however I don’t recall seeing a goose egg on this column throughout my recreation opinions. Moreover, Portland’s 3-2 zone appeared to confuse the Zags. Whereas they have been capable of finding the gentle spots, the staff appeared hesitant to drag the set off when in these spots. Whereas this modified a bit after the half, the staff by no means actually appeared able to persistently breaking down the protection.
Regardless of all of those misses, Gonzaga grabbed 25 offensive rebounds, greater than Portland’s complete rebounding for the sport, however might solely flip this into 22 second probability factors. I’ve talked about this staff’s battle with successfully changing their second probability alternatives in video games previous, however to get solely 0.88 factors per offensive rebound is tough. Moreover, It’s loopy to see a rebounding differential of 42-24 and understand that the staff profitable that battle ended up shedding.
Whereas the Bulldogs secured the ball higher in comparison with the sport towards Pacific with solely 14 turnovers, they might solely register 15 assists, their second lowest of the season. It’s clear that exceeding this quantity will likely be important for victories within the NCAA Match because the staff’s three losses have all featured 15 or decrease assists.
Towards my higher judgement, I’m going to very plain about this: I don’t assume Gonzaga is aware of break a full court docket press. They don’t inbound the ball nicely persistently towards it, they don’t generate sufficient off the ball motion to create open passes, and, exterior of the Truongs, no participant appears keen to dribble or go towards it. Whereas this confirmed itself clearly towards the Pilots, I’ve seen this sample towards different groups using such protection throughout this season with the Arizona recreation coming instantly to my thoughts. I’m going to be anxious if the Zags come up towards a staff within the NCAA Match that likes to press.
Regardless of all these negatives, I wish to be clear, Portland performed out of their thoughts. Their 26-48 (54%) total capturing represents their third highest of the season whereas their 7-14 (50%) three level capturing marks their highest of the 23-24’ season. This follows a pattern for the Pilots throughout the WCC match as of their three video games, they’ve shot 53% total and 40% from deep, which is a sizeable soar from their common season averages of 42% total and 30% from three. To have such a poor efficiency from the Zags, Portland play at such aberrant ranges, and solely lose by a single level after a missed three pointer within the dying seconds of the match signifies that this Bulldogs staff is clearly destined for extra.
So, I wish to shut out this text by celebrating the nice moments from Tuesday.
Esther with the staff’s solely three pointer within the first quarter. I cherished her confidence and kind with this shot. If Callie’s going to be out for the NCAA Match, I actually hope Little can do that a pair occasions every recreation.
Nothing higher than watching these two join on the court docket and we’re going to wish to see this way more throughout the Large Dance.
Yvonne is a power. The nation is aware of and we all know. Let’s hope she bounces again from her 8-20 capturing efficiency for this staff’s Match run.
Regardless of this loss, the NCAA Web Rankings nonetheless have the Zags ranked twelfth and ESPN’s bracketology nonetheless has the Zags listed as a 4 seed. If the staff have been awarded this seed, it might symbolize highest ever in program historical past and permit them to host the NCAA Match in Spokane. Let’s hope this sticks.
What did you consider the sport? Am I being a bit harsh?