Massive shifting of gears . . .

[AuroraHawk]

OK . . . I'll admit it. I was really hoping for an Iowa/ISU re-match even though the thought of an Iowa loss to ISU to advance to the Elite 8 made me want to vomit. Well . . . I guess I can stop hoping.

So . . . while recognizing that Davidson is going to be a tough match-up and Gonzaga is better that most people believe . . . I am sooooooo hoping that Iowa gets the chance to play UCLA. I want the Hawkeyes to have a chance to blow up Alford and his team.

Please, please, please let this happen. Please.

 

[AuroraHawk]

75% there. One more. Just one more.

 

[baldwinzag]

Balance.

Could be the difference tomorrow.

Gonzaga has 4 players averaging double-figures, a 5th averaging 9.5 ppg, and our 6th man is 8.3 ppg.

Iowa has 2 players averaging double-figures, a 3rd averaging 8.2, and your 6th man is 6.7 ppg.

What IF White has an off game -- not likely -- but who steps up and fills the gap?

What IF Wiltjer has an off game -- could happen -- yet Pangos, Karnowski, Wesley, Sabonis have all been our leading scorer this season as well.

I realize both teams have x-factors, players who step up, undervalued, etc, yet considering this is an even match-up. If players aren't making their season averages, balance and versatility is key.

I think Iowa is leading by 6 at half-time, then Gonzaga picks up pace in 2nd half and slowly makes 3pt shots to pull away slowly for a 6 pt win.

Final prediction:

Zags - 76
Iowa - 70

 

[icparkerhawk]

Originally posted by baldwinzag:
Balance.

Could be the difference tomorrow.

Gonzaga has 4 players averaging double-figures, a 5th averaging 9.5 ppg, and our 6th man is 8.3 ppg.  

Iowa has 2 players averaging double-figures, a 3rd averaging 8.2, and your 6th man is 6.7 ppg.

What IF White has an off game -- not likely -- but who steps up and fills the gap?  

What IF Wiltjer has an off game -- could happen -- yet Pangos, Karnowski, Wesley, Sabonis have all been our leading scorer this season as well.

I realize both teams have x-factors, players who step up, undervalued, etc, yet considering this is an even match-up.  If players aren't making their season averages, balance and versatility is key.

I think Iowa is leading by 6 at half-time, then Gonzaga picks up pace in 2nd half and slowly makes 3pt shots to pull away slowly for a 6 pt win.

Final prediction:

Zags - 76
Iowa - 70

This sounds a lot like what we heard from Davidson. As I recall, they liked to score a lot of points from a lot of guys as well. It's one thing to score a ton against nobodies, it's another to do it against decent teams. I think the Zags still win, but your fan base my want to reel in the confidence a bit. There's a reason your guys have struggled in the tourney for a while now - it's the result of playing a subpar schedule and then meeting equal level of competition in the dance.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Lone Clone]

Originally posted by baldwinzag:
Balance.

Could be the difference tomorrow.

Gonzaga has 4 players averaging double-figures, a 5th averaging 9.5 ppg, and our 6th man is 8.3 ppg.

Iowa has 2 players averaging double-figures, a 3rd averaging 8.2, and your 6th man is 6.7 ppg.

What IF White has an off game -- not likely -- but who steps up and fills the gap?

What IF Wiltjer has an off game -- could happen -- yet Pangos, Karnowski, Wesley, Sabonis have all been our leading scorer this season as well.

I realize both teams have x-factors, players who step up, undervalued, etc, yet considering this is an even match-up. If players aren't making their season averages, balance and versatility is key.

I think Iowa is leading by 6 at half-time, then Gonzaga picks up pace in 2nd half and slowly makes 3pt shots to pull away slowly for a 6 pt win.

Final prediction:

Zags - 76
Iowa - 70

White is solid. What was different last night was that the Hawks were hitting their perimeter shots. It's a different team when they're doing that. Very hard to beat.

What struck me most about last night, though, was that Iowa used its big length advantage to guard the three-point line, and Davidson apparently had no Plan B.

 

[Hawkfan_08]

Baldwin, honest question... have there been any talks of switching conferences? Outside of St. Mary's, Gonzaga hasn't really had a lot to compete with. It does help that BYU came in. Again, just wondering...
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Hawkeye2222]

the BT has 5 teams in the field of 32 after starting out with 7, how many from the West Coast Conference have in the entire field of 68?
talking smack is fun but sometimes it is better to give credit to the opponent for the competition that team has played.

 

[soybean]

Originally posted by Hawkeye2222:
the BT has 5 teams in the field of 32 after starting out with 7, how many from the West Coast Conference have in the entire field of 68?
talking smack is fun but sometimes it is better to give credit to the opponent for the competition that team has played.

At the same time though... you have to admit that this Baldwinzag guy is one of the most polite and reasoned smack talkers who has been on our board for quite some time.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Originally posted by AuroraHawk:
OK . . . I'll admit it. I was really hoping for an Iowa/ISU re-match even though the thought of an Iowa loss to ISU to advance to the Elite 8 made me want to vomit. Well . . . I guess I can stop hoping.

So . . . while recognizing that Davidson is going to be a tough match-up and Gonzaga is better that most people believe . . . I am sooooooo hoping that Iowa gets the chance to play UCLA. I want the Hawkeyes to have a chance to blow up Alford and his team.

Please, please, please let this happen. Please.

I agree I would love to see this. Gonzaga is good and Iowa might have to use a little of Davidson game plan vs Gonzaga.

Bring in Olaseni and pull their big man away from the basket, against NDSU it looked like he just parks it in the lane on defense. He is a bulky 7-1, but very slow of foot. Get Olaseni to pull him away and whoever has the mis-match post up down low. Friday night it seemed like Iowa didn't take advantage of their height until the 2nd half. Hopefully they realize it and use it tomorrow.

Also I agree that Iowa was hitting their outside shots. If they go cold tomorrow, it could be tough, but Gessell & White had huge games. Jok, Utoff, and Woody can step up and for some reason I think Olgesby goes off tomorrow (15-18pts) and helps the hawks.

Hawks 74
Zags 62

 

[Hawkeye2222]

the best thing at least he gave a viable reason WHY IA can lose, this is something most fans don't do.

 

[Floyd_Of_Rosedale]

Originally posted by Hawkeye2222:

the best thing at least he gave a viable reason WHY IA can lose, this is something most fans don't do.

There is one thing that I know for sure...statistics and message board banter before a game won't make any difference in the outcome. I like hearing from the Gonzaga fans.

Welcome aboard Gonzoes!!


As a side note: Prepare to see your team thoroughly dismantled tomorrow

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Originally posted by baldwinzag:
Balance.

Could be the difference tomorrow.

Gonzaga has 4 players averaging double-figures, a 5th averaging 9.5 ppg, and our 6th man is 8.3 ppg.

Iowa has 2 players averaging double-figures, a 3rd averaging 8.2, and your 6th man is 6.7 ppg.

What IF White has an off game -- not likely -- but who steps up and fills the gap?

What IF Wiltjer has an off game -- could happen -- yet Pangos, Karnowski, Wesley, Sabonis have all been our leading scorer this season as well.

I realize both teams have x-factors, players who step up, undervalued, etc, yet considering this is an even match-up. If players aren't making their season averages, balance and versatility is key.

I think Iowa is leading by 6 at half-time, then Gonzaga picks up pace in 2nd half and slowly makes 3pt shots to pull away slowly for a 6 pt win.

Final prediction:

Zags - 76
Iowa - 70

Hey gtfo of here with that "we're gonna make 3s down the stretch" bull sh**. That kind of talk by our opponents is not welcome here. You should instead work to miss those shots down the stretch so we can win. No NCAA tournament last-second garbage 3 point barrage heroics for you, sir.

Deal with it.

 

[ynglbc]

Iowa is going to win by 20+. We're just going to smother Zag players with long arms and block their views all game long. Nice season but it's time to send you home. Better buy a box of tissues.