ZAGS 360: 30 down, 2 to go – On to the Final Four
The Gonzaga Bulldogs came through the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight still undefeated. With two games to go, this is the biggest weekend yet.
For the second time in four years, the Gonzaga Bulldogs head to the Final Four. This undefeated Gonzaga squad is by far one of head coach Mark Few’s best accomplishments.
This weekend ZagsNation watched an aggressive offense and gritty defense show why they are the undefeated Western Conference champions and, hopefully next, the undefeated NCAA champions.
Sweet 16: Gonzaga-83 vs. Creighton-65
Did Creighton realize that they would be playing the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the Sweet Sixteen? If so, they didn’t play like it. With 22 points and six rebounds, Drew Timme was again the Zags star as he led his team to the Elite Eight.
Andrew Nembhard‘s 17 points, four rebounds, and eight assists proved Gonzaga always has a player to step up when Corey Kispert has a bad game. What I mean by a bad game is 12 points, including two of three from beyond the arc and seven rebounds. Joel Ayayi stunned Creighton as he grabbed rebound after rebound, three-pointer after three-pointer ending up with 13 points and eight rebounds, the most of any of the Zags.
Did these guys didn’t watch any film on the Bulldogs? Jalen Suggs had nine points, five rebounds, and eight assists, with Anton Watson chipped in with seven points. Speaking of Watson, his defense was stellar as he kept Creighton shut down.
Elite 8: Gonzaga-85 vs. USC-66
Many “experts” believed this Elite Eight matchup was Gonzaga’s last stop on the NCAA train. Southern Cal’s Mobley brothers were going to shut them down. The USC offense would be too much for Gonzaga’s defense. Wrong. I admit those Mobley brothers were good but not quite good enough to get past the Bulldogs.
Again, as in every game the Zags played this season, they stepped up and showed out. Leading the way again was center Drew Timme, with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists, and three steals! This young man was doing it all on both ends of the floor.
Corey Kispert contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Jalen Suggs was two assists shy of a triple-double, with 18 points, ten rebounds, and eight assists. Joel Ayayi, the only Bulldog to ever get a triple-double, finished with nine points and six rebounds.
What’s next?
The Final Four. On Saturday, April 3, the Bulldogs square off against UCLA. The Bruins were one of the First Four team, and now they face the number one overall seeded Bulldogs. UCLA has already defeated Michigan State, Brigham Young, Abilene Christian, and the East Region’s top two seeds Alabama and Michigan.
How will they stack up against the number one team in the nation? Tune in as the Zags attempt to move one step closer to the elusive NCAA Championship. The winner of this game faces the winner of Baylor vs. Houston for the title.
Next week I hope to be here celebrating the championship with you. Until then, stay safe!