Winners and losers from a great Saturday
A GRIP ON SPORTS
Well, that was fun. Even for the one team in the area that didn't post a "W." And for all of us who got to watch. Read on.
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• When is a loss a victory? Never, really. But the closest thing was Saturday's Gonzaga loss at Arizona. Not because of the final score, which was in third-ranked UA's favor, 66-63 in overtime. No, it was a win in the sense the Bulldogs were able to measure themselves against one of the nation's best, on the road, and find out where they fit. And where they have to improve. The answer to the former is simple. The Bulldogs do belong among the top 10 nationally, a team that can challenge for an Elite Eight berth and, dare we say it, a Final Four spot. We assumed that going into Saturday but now we know it. But there is still the answer to the latter, which is a bit harder to figure out. If you just look at the final couple minutes of regulation and overtime, you might assume the Zags' guard play has to improve, that the lack of Josh Perkins for 10 to 15 minutes hurt GU down the stretch. Why? Because Kevin Pangos – and to a lesser degree Gary Bell and Byron Wesley – looked spent as the clock wound down. Pangos played 43 minutes, which doesn't seem too much to ask of a senior leader. But they were 43 minutes spent under relentless pressure as the Wildcats rotated defenders on him, using smaller, quicker guys as well as long, athletic, 6-foot-7 players. That's taxing, mentally and physically. That problem may just work itself out with the pending eligibility of 6-3 guard Eric McClellan, the Vanderbilt transfer, as well as a healthy Perkins in a few weeks – if he decides to play this season and not take a medical hardship year. But there is another, subtler problem the Zags have to address, one that doesn't have as simple an answer: The lack of depth up front. GU has four bigs playing two spots, but in reality right now they have just two they can count on – for various reasons. Przemek Karnowski and Kyle Wiltjer have been everything Gonzaga has hoped for, with Karnowski playing quite possibly his best game yesterday (10 points, 11 rebounds, impressive defense in 36 minutes). But it was that last stat that hurt the Bulldogs down the stretch. Thirty-six minutes is about six too many for Karnowski, but his presence was dictated by two other players' performances: Domantas Sabonis and Angel Nunez. The 6-8 Nunez is supposed to be the Zags' fourth inside guy but, as his 3 minutes of playing time shows in a game in which Gonzaga really needed more, he still doesn't have Mark Few's confidence. And the 6-11 Sabonis, while a revelation in what he can do, hasn't yet figured out American referees and their whistles. It's obvious the pro game he played last season was of a more physical variety, a game in which most contact was overlooked. That's not the way here. (The debate on which is right and which is wrong can be made at a later time.) Sabonis has to be able to stay on the floor for Gonzaga to get where it wants to go. He picked up two quick fouls yesterday, two more in the second half and played a measly 17 minutes. Because of that, Karnowski had to expend pressure energy in the first 38 minutes of the game and had nothing left for the stretch or overtime. It showed in how he attacked the basket and how he moved his feet defensively. And it hurt Gonzaga when it needed him the most. But it is OK. Because the Bulldogs have time to fix all of this. The backcourt should sort itself out as time goes by. And Sabonis, as bright a basketball player as any freshman GU has recruited, will figure it out. Which bodes well for the future, when victories will come in wins, not losses.
• Speaking of wins, Eastern Washington had a couple of big ones yesterday, a loud 37-20 decision over Montana in the second round of the FCS football playoffs and a quieter 87-75 victory over Seattle University in hoops. The importance of the former is obvious. Playing in front of a sellout crowd of 7,919 at Roos Field, the Eagles dominated defensively, a key element if they want to earn another FCS national title. The latter's import is subtler. Jim Hayford's team is quietly setting itself up for a chance to play in the NCAAs but they need to build a belief they can consistently win on the road. The high-profile upset of Indiana is one thing, last night's domination of a regional rival is another. The 7-1 Eagles are learning how to win no matter the circumstances and that will bode well for them in the Big Sky, in the Big Sky Tournament and in whatever postseason play they participate in.
• By the way, Washington State also picked up a win yesterday and Jordan Railey's last-minute dunk ascended all the way to No. 1 on SportsCenter's daily top 10 list. The latter probably excites the WSU student body more than the former, a 91-71 pasting of Texas-San Antonio. But it is the win, a much-needed win, which is more important in the long run for the Cougars, who evened their record at 4-4.
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• WSU: Jacob Thorpe has the basketball game story and the accompanying elements, a blog post and videos of Ernie Kent's postgame and that of the players. But he also has more, a football story based on an interview with athletic director Bill Moos and a blog post about three defensive players from the same school committing to WSU yesterday. ... Jacob also has his morning post with links.
• Gonzaga: The Zags' loss is well documented by Jim Meehan, both in this game story as well as his blog post. And Jim will return today with a day-after report. ... The Arizona Daily Star also has some Zag-related coverage. ... The Zags open WCC play later this month at BYU. The Cougars will be tough. ... Santa Clara picked up a win but St. Mary's and Portland lost last night.
• EWU: The Eagles playoff win was triple-teamed, with Jim Allen taking care of the game story and a notebook, John Blanchette adding a column and Tyler Tjomsland chipping in with a photo report. ... Next up for Eastern is Illinois State. ... The basketball game, which featured a second 38-point performance from Venky Jois, was covered by the Seattle Times' Percy Allen.
• Idaho: The Vandals earned an eight-point win but it should have been 10, or more. An administrative technical called on the school for not having the charge arc under the hoop cost two points and keyed a UC Davis run. Still, UI posted a 79-71 win. Sean Kramer has the game story.
• Whitworth: This is getting redundant. The Pirate women remained undefeated with a 73-57 road win over Southwestern University.
• Chiefs: Spokane was winning one-goal games. Now the Chiefs are losing them. The latest was Saturday night's home 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Kootenay Ice. Chris Derrick has more in his game story and blog post. ... Portland got past Everett last night.
• Preps: Colville doesn't kick extra points. The Indians have gone for two all season and, when faced with either trying a tying point-after in overtime or going for two and the win, Colville coach Randy Cornwell didn't hesitate. Cascade Christian stuffed the run, however, and won the 1A title 27-26 over Colville. ... North Central's Tanner Anderson won the prestigious Nike nationals in Portland. ... There was also lots of basketball last night and we have boys and girls roundups.
• Seahawks: The Hawks face a key matchup in Philadelphia this afternoon, a game that pits two former Pac-12 coaches as well as their differing philosophies. It also features a reunion of sorts. ... Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett have been key elements for the Hawks this season. So has Marshawn Lynch, who doesn't have an anti-media policy. He just has an anti-media-except-for-his-friends policy. ... The Hawks made a roster move yesterday. ... How Bobby Wagner plays today may be the chief factor in Seattle's success.
• Mariners: Baseball's Winter Meetings take place this week with the M's still searching for an every-day rightfielder. Either they fill the spot with a free agent, or they make a trade. We may just find out which before Thursday.
• Sounders: A good year, yes. But still the Sounders are still looking for that elusive MLS title.
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• Yesterday was so much fun I'm not sure today can top it. But wait. There is the college football playoff announcement at 9:30 this morning. That's should engender some whining and teeth-gnashing. That's fun. My guess: Alabama and Oregon stay 1-2, TCU and Florida State remain 3-4. Yep, I'm not sure yesterday's results will move the committee much if at all. It wants to stay consistent. Remember the Emerson quote I use here so often. Until later ...
