Let's talk about Thursday's St. Mary's game

[FuManShoes]

It starts and ends with defense. If the Zags D up as they have the last couple games, they win. If they don't, they won't. Simple as that. I fully expect St. Mary's to bring it.

[gamagin]

Originally Posted by upan8th

GAELSFAN. Welcome. Great first post!

Our guys underneath can learn a lot by studying Samhan. And I hope they take their lessons to him Thursday. Beginning with great blocks, better positioning and stuffs (+1). Over and over.

Go TEAM Zags !

[BobZag]

K2 will be loud, possibly louder than Wazzu or Wake. A great college atmosphere. This is what college sports is all about. It's Rivalry Week on the ESPN channels and this will be as good as any.

Play Omar tough but don't double-team him. As I said before, he'll get his points, it's okay. Just stick all over SMC's guards. Two-pointers don't beat Gonzaga. Three-pointers do. Guard the perimeter as if it were the North/South Korean DMZ.

[former1dog]

Originally Posted by BobZag

Play Omar tough but don't double-team him.

I've got 2 words for Mr. Samhan: Will Foster!

[U Zig, I Zag]

Originally Posted by gaelsfan

I have been a long time lurker here on the zags site. . and this is the first time I have felt compelled to post. This above statement couldn't possibly be further from the truth of any Gaels fan. Not only has omar been a great player for us but I can say he, personally, is loved. I know your competitive spirit won't let you see this, but omar is a great guy. For instance, you know that long goofy hair he had as a freshman, you know what he did with it? he donated it to Locks of love (locksoflove.org). He goes out of his way to be available for every child, student, adult and senior citizen that approaches him. Two years ago he approached the athletic department to hand write letters to thank season ticket holders. it was his idea! His team mates love him and NOBODY in college basketball has worked harder in the off season!
Does he act like a dope on the court sometime? of course he does, but I also remember Ammo being less than gracious on the court as well.
Before the jokes start, I am not him, or his brother or his mother. But I love the guy, and to say anyone who is a gaels fan will be happy to see him gone? That is perhaps the most preposterous statement I have ever heard.
Say RS will dominate him, say EH will dunk on him, call him ham sandwich (even I laugh at that one) but don't ever imply that ANYONE (besides zags fans) wants him gone.
As for me and thursday. . We have never beat you up there, you beat us earlier this year, you have won 9 championships in a row, you guys seem to always play super well under pressure, your overall talent is better.
My conclusion. . I LOVE OUR CHANCES!

Go Gaels

I understand your point. I don't know him personally, SMC doesn't market his off-court accomplishments, all I know of him are his antics on the court. That's what the Zag fans are going by (that and some Facebook posts or something or other). I have nothing but respect for all the student athletes that suit up and manage school and sport. Only exception is Samhan.

We need good guys and we need bad guys - it's good motivation for everyone involved. On our end we have to hate on Sir Ham A-lot and you guys can hate on GU's success.

If you guys love 'em so much invite him over on Thursday to watch the game at your house!




*But you have to concede, on some level, each and every fan/alumni/student, has had their 'embarrassed' by Samhan moment. I know you must have screamed, 'Just PLAY THE GAME Samhan!' at least once in four years.

[gaelsfan]

Originally Posted by U Zig, I Zag

*But you have to concede, on some level, each and every fan/alumni/student, has had their 'embarrassed' by Samhan moment. I know you must have screamed, 'Just PLAY THE GAME Samhan!' at least once in four years.

Incorrect. . on no level have I ever had an "embarrassed" by samhan moment

[U Zig, I Zag]

Originally Posted by gaelsfan

Incorrect. . on no level have I ever had an "embarrassed" by samhan moment

I suppose not everyone is like me. Maybe it's the politics but I am more sensitive to public opinion, I guess. I have been embarrassed for Samhan several times.

Gaelsfan,
May the best team win!

[primal23]

Originally Posted by U Zig, I Zag

I suppose not everyone is like me. Maybe it's the politics but I am more sensitive to public opinion, I guess. I have been embarrassed for Samhan several times.

Gaelsfan,
May the best team win!

Would be interested to hear if gaelsfan felt a similar feeling towards AMMO? I know there were many of his antics that I didn't like.

[MJGoGaels]

Originally Posted by gaelsfan

I have been a long time lurker here on the zags site. . and this is the first time I have felt compelled to post. This above statement couldn't possibly be further from the truth of any Gaels fan. Not only has omar been a great player for us but I can say he, personally, is loved. I know your competitive spirit won't let you see this, but omar is a great guy. For instance, you know that long goofy hair he had as a freshman, you know what he did with it? he donated it to Locks of love (locksoflove.org). He goes out of his way to be available for every child, student, adult and senior citizen that approaches him. Two years ago he approached the athletic department to hand write letters to thank season ticket holders. it was his idea! His team mates love him and NOBODY in college basketball has worked harder in the off season!
Does he act like a dope on the court sometime? of course he does, but I also remember Ammo being less than gracious on the court as well.
Before the jokes start, I am not him, or his brother or his mother. But I love the guy, and to say anyone who is a gaels fan will be happy to see him gone? That is perhaps the most preposterous statement I have ever heard.
Say RS will dominate him, say EH will dunk on him, call him ham sandwich (even I laugh at that one) but don't ever imply that ANYONE (besides zags fans) wants him gone.
As for me and thursday. . We have never beat you up there, you beat us earlier this year, you have won 9 championships in a row, you guys seem to always play super well under pressure, your overall talent is better.
My conclusion. . I LOVE OUR CHANCES!

Go Gaels

+1, And one correction: last victory in Spokane, - in the original Kennel, Janaury 21, 1995 (68-63), followed that by a victory in Moraga on Janaury 27, 1995 (73-66), but lost in the semi-final for the wcc tournament (59-69) @ Santa Clara. Ernie Kent was the coach for the Gaels.

[Timeout!]

I completely agree.

Don't double Omar no matter what. Who really cares if Samhan scores 20, 30, or even 40 points on Thurs? In essence, he could have scored 38 pts and we still would have won in Moraga. Instead, take your chances 1-on-1 in the post and hound Delladova, Mickey, Steidly & Page along the perimeter. As BZ eluded to, 2pt shots aren't going to beat Gonzaga or quiet the crowd like open 3's will. The only chance SMC has at beating us at home is a barrage of three's that keep in the game and allow extended scoring runs or rallies. As good as the Gaels are, they just don't have anyone to defend Bouldin, Gray, or Elias--they are the perfect defensive match-up for us. There is no doubt we will score on them, but can we keep them from draining deep 3's all night long? If Omar scored 35 pts again, oh well, we'll still be the victors if we extend the defense and defend their shooters like our lives depend on it.

[Tmac5360]

2 things. First Samhan is really good. You don't average a double double in D1 if your not really good. Second if the Zags play D they win Easy. It's really that simple. In the MAC with the offense seeming to be running well. If they will guard people there are very few teams in the country that could beat them at the MAC!

[CDC84]

Gonzaga's post defenders are capable of guarding Omar better than they did during the 2nd half in Moraga. They gave up their position way too easily. The staff have been working with Rob and Elias to better their post defense since that game.

[FrosTbear]

Sorry I can't buy into this SM hype. Yes they are a good team but we are a very good team and at times an Elite eight or even a FINAL FOUR Team. But right now we only show this high level of ability for 5-8 minutes a game and then come back down to very good basketball. But this team has done more right now than any team in the last four years. We Beat Memphis and we are the Maui Champs. So Coach "G" will put a fire under their seats this week and we will bring the Bull Dog "D" into the kennel. GU by 12. Take it to the Bank! TEN IN A ROW...THEN ON TO THE BIG DANCE!

[FlyZag]

Originally Posted by FrosTbear

Sorry I can't buy into this SM hype. Yes they are a good team but we are a very good team and at times an Elite eight or even a FINAL FOUR Team. But right now we only show this high level of ability for 5-8 minutes a game and then come back down to very good basketball. But this team has done more right now than any team in the last four years. We Beat Memphis and we are the Maui Champs. So Coach "G" will put a fire under their seats this week and we will bring the Bull Dog "D" into the kennel. GU by 12. Take it to the Bank! TEN IN A ROW...THEN ON TO THE BIG DANCE!

Yes Frosty, all true! Except you forgot one small fact that GU also plays like a 220rpi team at times.

[U Zig, I Zag]

There is some build up to this game, that is for sure. I really hope the Zags play their best game. All things considered, if we play our A game and they play out of their minds I think we hold out. Couple our skill-set with the home crowd and you got 8-10 points out of the gate. IF SMC jumps out or bags 3 trey's in a row or something it would be imperative that Few get the kid's heads into it and the crowd back on track.

I agree with the general consensus that we give Samhan his goods (but still go after him, we got several bodies we can throw at him - one is 7'5" even!). We expend the rest of/the bulk of our energy just getting in the faces of everyone else. What Memphis used to do to us.

They play consistent because they do the same thing over and over. Use Samhan to get points and open the other guys up and move that pendulum back and forth between inside and out, all game long. Eventually teams wear out, make bad passes and SMC buffers their lead.

I think Portland was spent. N-Rav (that's a thing, right?) was out and they just were not the team that was ranked in the Top 25 early on. We rolled them but I don't think we used up our, 'demoralize a good opponent' card in that game.

It may end up being close, but I think there is more than just a chance that GU takes it to Samhan and Co. with a vengeance.







Also, Gael is a girl's name.

[WallaWallaZag]

Originally Posted by primal23

No, IMHO there is no way that SMC is better than Memphis. Better then Portland yes, but not memphis. Memphis is so much more athletic, faster, better shooters.

sorry, but you are overrating memphis this year...memphis is more athletic and might be more talented than smc, doesn't mean they're a better team...they are very streaky with their shooting and overall. they've lost to a horrible umass team, the 2nd worst team in the a-10 and 8-15 overall. memphis recently lost to a good but not great utep team @ home. they also just lost to southern methodist, a very average conf-usa team that is 11-11 overall. there is a reason memphis isn't even in consideration for an at-large bid while smc might be in the conversation even if they never beat us this year.

[WallaWallaZag]

Originally Posted by U Zig, I Zag

As much as Samhan is producing for St. Mary's I believe, that secretly, that whole program wants him gone. He is just a bad guy, nobody respects him as a player - they respect aspects of his game but he is not a senior leader it doesn't seem. The Gael's board has some post where Ben Allen (I think) gives Samhan a love tap on the back of the head after a made basket and Samhan, not liking human contact because he is the Temple Grandin of D1 basketball, tells him to 'f#ck off'.

i'm a big rob sacre fan and i dislike samhan as much as anyone, but to be honest with you i would trade big rob for him this year in a hearbeat. of course, big rob still has two years left, but for this year i would take omar and i'm not sure it's all that close.

[BMAN]

Originally Posted by gaelsfan

I have been a long time lurker here on the zags site. . and this is the first time I have felt compelled to post. This above statement couldn't possibly be further from the truth of any Gaels fan. Not only has omar been a great player for us but I can say he, personally, is loved. I know your competitive spirit won't let you see this, but omar is a great guy. For instance, you know that long goofy hair he had as a freshman, you know what he did with it? he donated it to Locks of love (locksoflove.org). He goes out of his way to be available for every child, student, adult and senior citizen that approaches him. Two years ago he approached the athletic department to hand write letters to thank season ticket holders. it was his idea! His team mates love him and NOBODY in college basketball has worked harder in the off season!
Does he act like a dope on the court sometime? of course he does, but I also remember Ammo being less than gracious on the court as well.
Before the jokes start, I am not him, or his brother or his mother. But I love the guy, and to say anyone who is a gaels fan will be happy to see him gone? That is perhaps the most preposterous statement I have ever heard.
Say RS will dominate him, say EH will dunk on him, call him ham sandwich (even I laugh at that one) but don't ever imply that ANYONE (besides zags fans) wants him gone.
As for me and thursday. . We have never beat you up there, you beat us earlier this year, you have won 9 championships in a row, you guys seem to always play super well under pressure, your overall talent is better.
My conclusion. . I LOVE OUR CHANCES!

Go Gaels

Last year after the tournament in Vegas I talked to Samhan at the airport. The team was waiting for their flight home.( they don't have a private jet). He was pushing a stroller around with a coaches baby. I was wearing a GU shirt so he knew I was the enemy but he was very polite and talked to me for several minutes. He congratulated me for the win. It is hard for me to dislike him now.

[primal23]

Originally Posted by BMAN

Last year after the tournament in Vegas I talked to Samhan at the airport. The team was waiting for their flight home.( they don't have a private jet). He was pushing a stroller around with a coaches baby. I was wearing a GU shirt so he knew I was the enemy but he was very polite and talked to me for several minutes. He congratulated me for the win. It is hard for me to dislike him now.

From all I have heard, his A-hole antics are on the court only, and just like you stated is a nice person off the court. On the court is similar to on the stage, you take on a different persona.

[MJ777]

Originally Posted by Timeout!

I completely agree.

Don't double Omar no matter what. Who really cares if Samhan scores 20, 30, or even 40 points on Thurs? In essence, he could have scored 38 pts and we still would have won in Moraga. Instead, take your chances 1-on-1 in the post and hound Delladova, Mickey, Steidly & Page along the perimeter. As BZ eluded to, 2pt shots aren't going to beat Gonzaga or quiet the crowd like open 3's will. The only chance SMC has at beating us at home is a barrage of three's that keep in the game and allow extended scoring runs or rallies. As good as the Gaels are, they just don't have anyone to defend Bouldin, Gray, or Elias--they are the perfect defensive match-up for us. There is no doubt we will score on them, but can we keep them from draining deep 3's all night long? If Omar scored 35 pts again, oh well, we'll still be the victors if we extend the defense and defend their shooters like our lives depend on it.

SMC has no chance. Remember the Zags have guys that purposely push the other team's best player down so that he injures himself to ensure victory...even if it is Tainted. Plus there is the ever present advantage officials give GU because it is their right.

[sullyzag66]

Originally Posted by U Zig, I Zag

I understand your point. I don't know him personally, SMC doesn't market his off-court accomplishments, all I know of him are his antics on the court. That's what the Zag fans are going by (that and some Facebook posts or something or other). I have nothing but respect for all the student athletes that suit up and manage school and sport. Only exception is Samhan.

We need good guys and we need bad guys - it's good motivation for everyone involved. On our end we have to hate on Sir Ham A-lot and you guys can hate on GU's success.

If you guys love 'em so much invite him over on Thursday to watch the game at your house!




*But you have to concede, on some level, each and every fan/alumni/student, has had their 'embarrassed' by Samhan moment. I know you must have screamed, 'Just PLAY THE GAME Samhan!' at least once in four years.

According to these Comcast announcers he does his own marketing. I'm not a Samhan champion; just sayin'.

[Reborn]

Up to this point, this is the most important game of the year. Afterall, this one is for the league championship. Both teams will play their A game. Gonzaga is the better team. They have played and beaten some tough teams in their arenas in front of HUGE, CRAZY crowds. The Zags are battle tested and ready, and they are coming off of a HUGE win against Memphis, just like they came off a huge win against Illinois prior to our last meeting with St. Mary's. Both teams have momentum right now. I think the Zag's win over Memphis produces higher octain then SM's win over San Francisco. The Zag's FIRE is brighter right now, and they will play with more energy.

The key to this game, as it was against Memphis and Portland, will be the Zag's defense. The Gael's may be better offensively, but the Zags are a much better team defensively. As is said, defense wins championships!

[former1dog]

Is this the "biggest" game west of the Rockies this season?

[omahazag]

Originally Posted by former1dog

Is this the "biggest" game west of the Rockies this season?

Never thought of that, but I think it is the biggest game west of the Rockies to date.

[bballbeachbum]

Originally Posted by omahazag

Never thought of that, but I think it is the biggest game west of the Rockies.

me neither, but it may be now that you mention it. only wish I could be there to feel it in person. you folks are lucky!