How long do the Zags dance?

[wiff]

Ok I'm a Zags homer and I realize anything can happen come March. This year though the Zags have, in my opinion their best shot ever to make a final four. And once you're in the final four who knows what could happen?

But am I being overly optimistic thinking the Zags could dance for that long? I know their conference is weak but they are dominating it. They have two loses. One to Illinois and one to Butler both who beat Indiana when they were ranked at #1. So neither loss is considered a "bad loss" as they say.

They beat up on the Big 12 with their non conference games going 5-0 against Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Baylor and West Virginia.

Their front line is BIG and DEEP. Their guards are very good shooters, not really considered big guards but not really small either especially at the college level. But big guards like Brandon Paul from Illinois can be problematic for them.

Since the Zags made their big splash by making it to the Elite 8 back in 1999 they have never been back. They have made the sweet 16 a boatload since then but they just cant get over the hump. But this year, to myself and other Zag fans, it just feels different.

So realistically how far can do you see the Zags dance this March?

[jman3134]

Well, I would like to wait to see how they are playing at the end of the season before making that determination. But, there is some talk that they could get a number 1 seed. It is likely, then that they may get to the Sweet Sixteen with a 1/2 seed at minimum. It depends how Pangos is shooting and how well the interior defense of the opposing team slows Olynyk down.

[bballosophy]

If they keep up the way they're playing right now, no doubt they'll get a 1 or 2 seed. With that said, one would think they'll have a pretty good chance to get to the Sweet Sixteen. How they're playing right now, I'll even give them the Elite 8.

However, it all depends on where the Cinderellas are.

[kyphi]

They are #1 as of March 1st and have one game left. Duke and Indiana both have 3 games. It could be really close - depending on who wins conference tournaments

[GothamGM]

I do agree that this is Few's best team he's had in Spokane, better the Morrison squad, and the '03 squad w/ Stepp, Turiaf and co. They'll obviously be a #1 seed in the dance, and I do see them going far. Got very good big men, good guards.....my only concern w/ this team is it doesn't have a Ben Mclemore / Oladipo type wing player that's dynamic and is a go to..But I'll say Elite 8. Gotta see who ends up in their side of the bracket.

[GothamGM]

I do agree that this is Few's best team he's had in Spokane, better the Morrison squad, and the '03 squad w/ Stepp, Turiaf and co. They'll obviously be a #1 seed in the dance, and I do see them going far. Got very good big men, good guards.....my only concern w/ this team is it doesn't have a Ben Mclemore / Oladipo type wing player that's dynamic and is a go to..But I'll say Elite 8. Gotta see who ends up in their side of the bracket.

[Jake0890]

Not too long. Sweet 16, Elite 8, max. They're overrated because of who they play. They won't stand up to too many top tier schools like Indiana, Arizona, Duke, etc.

[jman3134]

I think that it is likely that a top tier team beats them, but it depends entirely on their draw, much like anything else. Teams like Michigan St./Indiana/Louisville would all be tough matchups imo.

[kyphi]

it sure is enjoyable watching Olynyk and also little Stockton who reminds me of how his father played. They are my cinderella team.

[jman3134]

You can't be a Cinderella if you are a number 1/2 seed.

[Jake0890]

You can't be a Cinderella if you are a number 1/2 seed.

This.

VCU is the cinderella team that's going to cause some problems again in the tournament.

[Andi Obst]

Not too long. Sweet 16, Elite 8, max. They're overrated because of who they play. They won't stand up to too many top tier schools like Indiana, Arizona, Duke, etc.

I agree, but I still hope you're wrong.

[wiff]

Not too long. Sweet 16, Elite 8, max. They're overrated because of who they play. They won't stand up to too many top tier schools like Indiana, Arizona, Duke, etc.

You really think Arizona is a top tier team this year?

I think the Elite 8 should be the floor this season. Final 4 realistic but I am biased.

[Jake0890]

Not too long. Sweet 16, Elite 8, max. They're overrated because of who they play. They won't stand up to too many top tier schools like Indiana, Arizona, Duke, etc.

You really think Arizona is a top tier team this year?

I think the Elite 8 should be the floor this season. Final 4 realistic but I am biased.

Not top like Indiana or Duke, but someone like Miami imo.

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[discord]

Lol Sweet 16 and out

[AttackTheRack]

I always liked Gonzaga when they were the underdog, but all of sudden they're this powerhouse? I ain't buyin' it. Seen a few of their games, and they're gonna' be in tough come the Sweet 16. Depending who they play, they squeak into the Elite 8 - and maybe not.

[kyphi]

no one expects the Zags to win it all, regardless of the ranking. Hence Cinderella, although not used in the usual manner. They should be even better next season, imo.

[jman3134]

I don't think they'll be better next year. They're likely going to lose Olynyk to the draft. Harris is a senior. Defensive stalwart Mike Hart won't be back next year either.

They have a deep big rotation so they will be able to compensate, but I highly doubt they get a number 1 seed and blow through the WCC like they did this year. Pangos and Stockton should be the team's focal points offensively next season.

[Doctor MJ]

I hope that Gonzaga's loss this year serves as a bit of a wakeup call to the polls. That hope might be naive, but I think we all saw an upset like this coming, and by "we" I mean "including the voters". There's just way too much of a tendency to feel the need to move teams up who don't lose even if they aren't actually beating anyone tough.

I'm also differentiating between the polls and the seeding committee here to some degree but not entirely. The seeding committee in the past has made it a point to seed teams like Gonzaga lower than their rankings because they know what's up. This time they still did that some by not making Gonzaga the overall top seed, but it did seem like they didn't feel comfortable making the #1 ranked team in the country something lower than a #1 seed and they need to not let that hold them back.

[wiff]

Well this sucks! I love Mark Few but this loss is all on him. The Zags were getting everything they wanted for 15 and half minutes in the second half, and the last 3 minutes of the 1st half. Going inside, getting to the line. They were rolling. Then they went away from that and started to eat clock with 4 and a half minutes left and only an 8pt lead. They weren't playing to win, they were playing "not to lose".

This is all Mark Few, the Zags did not lose the game because a lack of talent on the floor or inferior athletes. They lost because of their coaching. Here's the crux though I am so mad at mark Few right now, and now you are going to hear whispers of "he should get fired". But lets be real for a minute, Spokane is not LA or Chicago, Spokane is an outpost in the world of sports. If Few leaves or surprisingly gets fired who are you going to replace him with? All it takes is one bad hire and the Zags become Santa Clara in 3 yrs.

So as Zag fans including myself we just have to be happy with sweet 16 runs because that is obviously the ceiling of this program. And I'd rather have a chance to dance and make the sweet 16 then to be Santa Clara.