An unexpectedly powerful “warm-up” recreation and an unpredictable tilt with Kentucky will add much more drama to the Zags’ already packed Nonconference Schedule. Right here’s what followers can count on.
Lengthy Seashore State – Wednesday, November 20 – McCarthy Athletic Heart, Spokane, WA
Lengthy Seashore State concluded final season with an sudden ticket to the Large Dance. After enduring a five-game dropping streak, the group rallied to win the Large West Convention Event championship, regardless of the unceremonious (and, to many, undeserved) firing of head coach Dan Monson the earlier week. Though they misplaced to Arizona within the opening spherical, Lengthy Seashore State grew to become a favourite amongst school basketball followers for his or her resilience within the face of sudden (and weird) adversity.
This yr, they are going to head to Spokane, and if expectations maintain true, they’re more likely to be trounced by Gonzaga. Nonetheless, this isn’t your typical “warm-up” recreation in preparation for the Battle 4 Atlantis tourney within the Bahamas. Lengthy Seashore State proved themselves final yr to be a reputable tournament-caliber group. With a brand new head coach and numerous new expertise, they might very properly pose a formidable problem for the Zags.
New head coach Chris Acker joins Lengthy Seashore State after 5 seasons as an assistant at San Diego State. He’s a defense-first strategist who has additionally coached at Boise State below former Zag assistant Leon Rice, giving him a level of familiarity with Gonzaga’s type. Acker’s groups are recognized for his or her bodily protection and powerful rebounding from the outset which makes him an excellent candidate to determine some continuity at Lengthy Seashore State. Final season, Monson’s Lengthy Seashore State group ranked within the prime 50 for each assists per recreation (15.4) and rebounds per recreation (35.2) regardless of ending fifth total in a mid-tier convention.
Lengthy Seashore State can have a totally new look this yr. Fortuitously for them, Acker is a extremely succesful recruiter who is decided to raise Lengthy Seashore State to real match competition. The majority of final yr’s group departed following Monson’s dismissal, however main scorer Marcus Tsohonis (17.6 ppg) will return to supply some consistency within the backcourt. Acker has additionally secured a dedication from UCLA combo guard Devin Askew, who might be enjoying for his fourth faculty in 5 years. The group might be with out main rebounder Lassina Traore (now dedicated to Xavier) in addition to their help chief Aboubacar Traore (Louisville), however Acker’s dedication to tough-nosed protection and bodily rebounding might nonetheless shock the Zags.
College of Kentucky – Saturday, December 7 – Local weather Pledge Area, Seattle, WA
The phrase “schadenfreude” describes the pleasure one derives from witnessing another person’s ache or misfortune. For a lot of, watching the decline of the mighty Kentucky Wildcats was a better supply of schadenfreude than virtually another story in school basketball final yr. Whereas the subject of Coach Calipari’s demise and supreme dismissal deserves its personal feature-length article, for now, we’ll follow the broad strokes.
The excellent news: Kentucky fell aside in spectacular style final yr, and the Zags received to place one of many closing nails within the coffin after they beat the Wildcats 89-85 in Kentucky. The Wildcats ended up dropping 4 video games at Rupp Area, received bounced within the first spherical from the NCAA tourney, Coach Calipari was despatched packing, the whole roster (roughly) jumped ship, and Kentucky followers have been characteristically level-headed and regular about the entire thing. It doesn’t get a lot sweeter than that.
The unhealthy information: The schadenfreude could also be brief lived, and Kentucky might be actually good this coming season. With former BYU head coach Mark Pope on the helm, the Wildcats need to rebuild. WCC followers already know that Mark Pope is a spectacular strategist who runs a high-efficiency offense targeted on punishing groups from the perimeter. As quickly as Calipari shipped off to Arkansas, Pope received busy within the switch portal. BYU guard Jaxson Robinson withdrew from the NBA draft to rejoin Pope at UK. Koby Brea (Dayton), Kerr Krissa (West Virginia), and Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State) will even head to Kentucky, together with San Diego State switch Lamont Butler, now primed to be among the best defensive stoppers within the SEC.
Kentucky did nearly all the things proper this offseason, and as a lot because it hurts to confess, they seem like a prime 10 group on paper. They’ve introduced in a particularly gifted and decidedly un-Calipari-esque coach in Mark Pope and have signed a mixture of skilled transfers and high-level highschool expertise. Rupp Area has been exorcized of one of many least likable figures in school sports activities, and Kentucky followers hope now to reclaim its former glory. The chemistry might be unpredictable however seemingly electrifying below Pope; whether or not it is going to be sufficient to match Gonzaga’s stays to be seen.