Don't mispronounce the name anymore. It is "Gon-ZAG-a", as in the Zags, not Gon-ZOG-a. The school was named after a saint, probably the patron saint of motion offense and dead-eye shooting, and this program has earned the right to be called by its correct name, and to have that name mentioned prominently in the top 10.
That's how good this team can be this season. Gonzaga has been to three straight Sweet 16s, and has lost stars like Matt Santangelo, Richie Frahm and Casey Calvary. Yet this may be its best team ever.
How do they do it? Mark Few may not have a personal assistant, a spot on the Washington Speakers Bureau or an Armani clothing allowance, but this guy can coach with anyone in the game. He is an offensive wizard, directing an offensive attack that is based upon motion and flex principles with close to 50 creative, multiple-option set plays that he can pull out at any time. Few recruits shooters and skilled players, makes them better, and allows them to play with freedom and room to grow.
The Zags have always been more skilled than most of their opponents, but have not always been able to hang with the giants of the game on the glass. That's no longer the case.
After Michigan State pounded Gonzaga on the backboards in the NCAA Tournament, outrebounding Gonzaga by 20 in the South Region semifinals, Few picked the brain of Spartan coach Tom Izzo over the summer. Few implemented many of Izzo's principles and drills, made rebounding a priority, and Gonzaga now leads the nation in rebound margin, out-working its opponents on the glass by over 13 rebounds per game.
Gonzaga has had outstanding guards, but Dan Dickau may be the Zags best since John Stockton wore his booty shorts in Spokane.
Dickau has great savvy, passes well, and has the ability to break down defenses at the end of a clock. Dickau and Blake Stepp form an underrated backcourt duo, and if not for the recent injury to Winston Brooks -- which will deprive Gonzaga of needed depth and speed -- Gonzaga would have a backcourt trio on par with anyone.
Inside, Gonzaga is solid, with the flaky but highly-skilled post man Zach Gourde, the tough Cory Violette, who is further along in his development than Casey Calvary at the same stage, and Rony Turiaf, as good a first-year frontcourt player as there is in the nation.
Gonzaga is on national TV about as often as Dick Cheney these days, but if you get a chance to see them play, take advantage of it. This is a fun team to watch, and you'll be watching them in March ... for more than one weekend.
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