Gonzaga vs UConn

The trio of Bilas, Raftery and McDonut (!), picked as the #1 2007-2008 preseason funniest announcer team by this blog, MC'ed a very entertaining game between the Zags and the Calhouns. Infact, these two teams should really play each year. History has shown that their games turn out to be quite entertaining and dramatic too.

Mark Few went "Bobby Knight" on freshman Austin Daye, who had a true freshman deer in headlights game. But he showed "free-throw onions" by making 3 out of 4 when they mattered the most.

Gonzaga returned to mainstream TV after being in the ESPNU witness protection program for the last couple of weeks. This Zags team was a lot more impressive than the ones I saw start the season at home against regional "cupcakes" at homes. The "tough cookie trio" of Pendo, Pargo and Bouldin (sounds like a law firm?) was able to take the UConn punches and punch them back. The big seven footer Sacre is starting to deliver and be effective, which is HUGE for the Zags, because let's face it, Kuso is a high energy guy, but he can't score a layup at the tip of a volcano ;-) He is best suited to be the guy who comes off the bench and provides defense and energy. Even without St. Gray, Mushroomvelt and Theo Davis, the current Zags look like a good team after being tested throughout the northern hemisphere. They will be strongly considered for a top 25 vote when I submit my next vote for the Bloggers Poll Top 25.

UConn has the raw talent, but has yet to forge an identity. Gone are the NBA surefire players, and Calhoun has to do it with team work and depth, which is not a bad recipe given the players he has. But you can't teach experience, and this group is only in their second playing year for the most part. AJ "Laptop" Price, Jerome Slyce-n-Dyson, and Stanley Robinson are the three most likely players to breakout this season.

So what did we learn from this game? That UConn and Gonzaga should play every year, the trio of "tough cookies" make the Zags competitive, Calhoun has a lot of work ahead of him, and the seven footer Sucre would potentially end up being an NBA first rounder by April 2008 if the stars align in his favor.