ZAGS 360: Week 3 and the ups and down in Las Vegas
This week, the Bulldogs in Las Vegas went up against Central Michigan, No. 2 UCLA, and No. 5 Duke.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs ran over Central Michigan with their defense, then used that same defense and an overwhelming offense to take down the UCLA Bruins. For the second time in eight games, the Zags lost after beating UCLA. Is there any correlation? Probably not. Let’s take a look at the games.
Gonzaga 107 vs. Central Michigan 54
The first of three games in Las Vegas and the Bulldogs defeated CMich in true Gonzaga style. The starters were all incredible, so much so that Coach Few could play almost everyone on his squad. The boxscore doesn’t tell the story of how well the Zags played. Freshmen and reserves all saw significant playing time, resting the starters to get ready for the Power 5 games.
Nolan Hickman was the chief bench scorer with 16 points, 1 rebound, 2 steals, and 1 block. However, out of the starters, it was Chet Holmgren and Julian Strawther leading the way. Holmgren had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, and some mean dunks. Meanwhile, Strawther had 15 points and 3 rebounds. Drew Timme and Hunter Sallis led the team in rebounds, each with seven.
The score is only one-half of the game, I believe. The Zags off-the-ball execution is the other half and so very important. The way the team passes the ball, looking for the best shot. It seems as though the Gonzaga Bulldogs have found the key.
Gonzaga 83 vs. UCLA 63
This is the match everyone was waiting to see. The country’s No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams go head to head at the beginning of the season. It was a rematch of that thrilling Final Four that sent the Zags to the National Championship game off a Jalen Suggs three-point buzzer-beater.
Andrew Nembhard was the key to the Bulldogs defeating the Bruins. The Zags led by 20 at the half and won the game by 20. No need for a buzzer-beater. No need for any anxiety during any part of the game. Nembhard led the team with 24 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, while leading the team in fast breaks and transitions that would have the Bruins scratching their heads. They had me scratching my head looking for the UCLA team from the Final Four.
Drew Timme was next with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Chet Holmgren had 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks. Strawther and Rasir Bolton combined for 21 points and 11 rebounds. The Bulldogs were in control from wire to wire.
All the pundits were surprised. No one would have or could have seen a 20-point defeat of the UCLA Bruins. Jaime Jacquez, Jr. had 19 points, but the Bulldogs’ defense held Johnny Juzang and Tyger Campbell to 11 points each. It was a great game to watch.
Ju showed out in his hometown 💯 @JulianStrawther pic.twitter.com/fgG3v6FFa2
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) November 27, 2021
Gonzaga 81 vs. Duke 84
Three points. The Duke Blue Devils scored three more points in the first half than the Gonzaga Bulldogs, and they never recovered from it. Both teams scored 39 points in the second half. The Zags just needed three more.
Three Duke players, Wendell Moore, Paolo Banchero, and Mark Williams, combined to score 68 of the Blue Devils’ 84 points.
I am proud of the Bulldogs in this defeat. Strawther had 20 points and 10rebounds; Timme had 17 points and 5 rebounds; Bolton, 15 points, 6 rebounds; Holmgren had 16 points and 7 rebounds, and Nembhard brought up the rear with 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Gonzaga Bulldogs lost this game, but they didn’t lose it because they didn’t fight or play hard…they just had three fewer points.
I know this might sound crazy but, this is the second time the Zags lost an essential game after defeating the UCLA Bruins. Celebrate much?
What’s next?
The Bulldogs return to Spokane on Monday, November 29, to play the Tarleton State Texans, and on Saturday, December 4, will play the No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide in Seattle.
What to look for
The Tarleton Texans have a 1-5 record but should not be taken for granted.
The No. 10 Crimson Tide is another story altogether. Bama suffered a loss to Iona, much like the Bulldogs’ loss to Duke. Both will be looking for a win and both need to win. This should be another great game.
Between Monday night’s game against the Texans and Saturday night’s game against the Crimson Tide, the Zags will have plenty of time to look at what went wrong in the loss to Duke to make sure it doesn’t happen in the game against Alabama.
See you Wednesday as I spotlight another Zags player and see you next Monday for more Zags 360. Stay safe and healthy!