Ignore the seed: Gonzaga is for real
Gonzaga's Robert Sacre, right, answers questions as Marquise Carter looks on, during a news conference for the Southeast regional third round NCAA tournament college basketball game. (March 18, 2011) Credit: AP
DENVER -- Gonzaga may be an 11th seed, but it beat St. John's the same way the Red Storm destroyed Duke in January at Madison Square Garden. The Zags' sheer dominance, which was defined by their 43-20 rebounding advantage, was the kind of revelation that not only draws national attention but opens a team's eyes to the notion of how good it can be.
The prospect of facing national scoring leader Jimmer Fredette and Brigham Young (31-4) Saturday evening for a berth in the Sweet 16 seems like just another bump in the road for Gonzaga (25-9), a team whose confidence is soaring.
"I'm just kind of sick of people doubting us this year,'' said 7-foot center Robert Sacre. "People have been doubting us all year, and they haven't really seen our true look. We showed them [Thursday] night how we really can play. There's more to come. I think we just showed the world what Gonzaga really is.''
The Bulldogs started slowly at 4-5 and had a three-game losing streak at midseason. But they're rolling now with a sizable and strong front line and great outside shooting led by guards Steven Gray and Marquise Carter and forward Elias Harris. They converted 60.0 percent from three-point range against the Red Storm to stretch the defense.
"Even when we were struggling, we saw flashes . . . We understood how good this team could be,'' Gray said. "We've been putting it together, getting better with each game. We're right where we want to be at this point.''
If the Zags play as well as they did against St. John's, it's going to put enormous pressure on Fredette and his 28.5 scoring average to keep pace with Gonzaga's inside-outside game. He compared them to the Cougars' Mountain West rival, New Mexico.
"They have very good big guys that give us a tough time, but they also have guys that can really shoot the ball,'' Fredette said of the Lobos. Half of BYU's four losses came against New Mexico, but then, so did his 52-point game during a win in the conference tournament.
Gonzaga's Carter is one of a cadre of perimeter players who will take turns guarding Fredette. Asked why the Zags smiled at every "Jimmer'' question, Carter said, "Everywhere I go, it's about Jimmer Fredette. You can't doubt his skills. He can put up a lot of points any given night.''
With a smile, Sacre said, "He's a good shooter. But when he misses, go get those rebounds.''
