ZAGS 360: Week 4 – Another fight and another loss
In week four, the Gonzaga Bulldogs faced another fight that they won. But, unfortunately, the Zags also had another loss.
The tight game the Gonzaga Bulldogs fought against the Tarleton State Texans should have been a wake-up call. Although I did not believe the Alabama Crimson Tides game would be a loss. Let’s take a look at this week’s games.
Gonzaga Bulldogs 64 vs. Tarleton State Texans 55
This was a tough win, but a win nonetheless. The Tarleton Texans kept Gonzaga on their toes until the end of the game. Chet Holmgren hit a shot from three with less than four minutes left in the game, putting the Zags up by six. Until then, the Bulldogs’ lead was only two.
Holmgren led the Bulldogs with 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and four blocks. Holmgren didn’t have the most points, but without his hustle along with Julian Strawther, the Zags may not have won this game. Strawther had only six points, but his 12 rebounds were everything to his team in this tight game. Rasir Bolton had the most points with 17, along with five rebounds. Drew Timme contributed ten points and five rebounds; Andrew Nembhard brought up the rear with nine points and three rebounds.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs’ missed free throws are becoming a problem. They were 14 of 24 from the line, which could have been the difference between winning and losing this game.
Dan Pelle's photo gallery of GU-Tarleton State: https://t.co/0Yxa2dHzqm
— Jim Meehan (@SRJimm) November 30, 2021
Gonzaga Bulldogs 82 Alabama Crimson Tide 91
What did I say about free throws? The Bulldogs suffered a nine-point loss while shooting 13 of 25 from the free-throw line.
It is not that Gonzaga didn’t play well overall in this game because they did. The Zags just had no answer for Alabama’s Jaden Shackelford. Shackelford shot 6 of 8 from three, helping the Tide to ten three-pointers in the first half. Gonzaga is going to have to find an answer for players like him.
Timme led the way for Gonzaga with 23 points, ten rebounds, and two blocks. Strawther had 13 points and five rebounds, with Holmgren having 10 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks.
The bench scored 23 points with eight rebounds, including Anton Watson‘s first three of the season.
What’s next
On Thursday, 12/9, the Bulldogs will take on the Merrimack College Warriors (4-5), and Sunday, 12/12, they are scheduled to play the Washington Cougars (4-4). Unfortunately, this Sunday, the Cougars had to forfeit their game against the UCLA Bruins due to Covid. We’ll have to watch to see if this game will be played next Sunday.
What to look for
The Merrimack Warriors’ leading scorers are Jordan Minors and Mikey Watkins.
The Washington State Cougars have several guys who can score the ball, including Daejon Davis, Terrell Brown, and PJ Fuller.
I’m looking for the Bulldogs to be better at the free-throw line.
https://youtu.be/Kmx7bGV6zT0
Until next Monday, please stay safe and healthy.