Zags finally return home
My first post on the new Web site so hopefully this goes without a hitch. Media day earlier Wednesday and after snowmobiling home, I put together a notebook. The unedited version is below.
By
Staff writer
They were 2-0 and untested. They were ranked No. 9. There wasn’t any snow on the ground.
An interesting month has transpired since the Gonzaga Bulldogs last played a home basketball game. They’ve been to
They’re finally back home, one month after drubbing
First-year coach Tony Harvey put together the schedule and hoped to mix in a home game or two, but things didn’t work out. Playing the likes of
And it helps with the balance sheet.
“The non-conference season, we have to generate economics and the great thing is I’m able to secure funding and help across our athletic department,”
Four of the Tigers’ losses have been by seven or fewer points. Perhaps their most impressive effort was Tuesday when TSU trailed by one at halftime before falling to No. 5
“They’re certainly not afraid of anybody,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said, “after going into
Good start for Goodson
True freshman guard Demetri ‘Meech’ Goodson’s introduction to college basketball hasn’t been easy. Consider that he’s already faced Oklahoma State’s Byron Eaton, several talented Tennessee guards, Washington State’s Tyler Rochestie and Arizona’s Nic Wise.
“It’s a challenge to go out there and try to make things hard for them on the offensive end,” Goodson said. “And on the offensive end, I’m trying to make them play defense as well.”
Goodson is averaging 14.9 minutes, 3.3 points and 1.9 assists. Those numbers are comparable to Jeremy Pargo’s freshman campaign (17.1 minutes, 2.7 ppg, 2 apg).
“He competed very well (against
Goodson shows no sign of being intimidated in games or practice.
“He goes against one of best point guards (Pargo) in the country every day, and he’s playing against Matt (Bouldin) and Steven (Gray),” forward Austin Daye said. “That’s preparing him well for the challenges he has ahead of him.”
Time crunch
Few pointed out several reasons why starting guard Micah Downs played just three minutes in the second half against
“He was sick during the day (Sunday) and we didn’t feel like we could pull Josh (Heytvelt) out against (
Few added that Goodson played well “so that was one of the other guard spots,” along with Pargo, Bouldin and Gray. Daye logged a career-high 36 minutes.
Few has limited options at center with backup Robert Sacre out after re-injuring his foot.
“Not having Rob hurt us (against
Neither