Williams-Goss, Otzelberger renew acquaintances in tournament

It’s hardly surprising Nigel Williams-Goss has a connection to South Dakota State.

Everywhere Gonzaga plays the junior guard seems to have family or friends in attendance. His best friend and cousin attend BYU. Two uncles live near Salt Lake City, site of Thursday’s NCAA Tournament game.

But even Williams-Goss was surprised to discover his link to the Jackrabbits, coached by T.J. Otzelberger.

“It’s funny, I didn’t even know that he was head coach there until we met in the locker room (after Selection Sunday) and started talking about South Dakota State,” Williams-Goss said. “I haven’t seen him since we both left UW.”

Otzelberger was a Washington assistant for two years when Williams-Goss was a freshman and sophomore. Williams-Goss put up big numbers and earned All-Pac-12 honors both seasons but the Huskies failed to reach the NCAA tournament.

Otzelberger exited first, returning to Iowa State for his second stint as an assistant before taking over at South Dakota State this season. Williams-Goss transferred to GU and sat out last season under NCAA rules.

Williams-Goss’ game has blossomed this season, earning several All-America honors to go with the WCC player of the year award.

“He’s a dynamic playmaker, can get in the lane at will, unbelievable mid-range and floater, high assists, low turnovers, and he’s continued to become a better 3-point shooter,” Otzelberger said. “I think what’s he’s proven is he can take a team and will them to victory.”

In his own way, Otzelberger has done something similar, guiding the Jackrabbits through a rocky 1-6 start that had some fans grousing about the first-year coach. He knew it was going to take time because the Jackrabbits lost four senior guards, three starters and the top reserve, from last year’s NCAA tournament team.

Otzelberger tweaked the rotation and benched a zone defense for man-to-man. The Jackrabbits earned some wins but then stumbled to a 2-6 start in the Summit League.

The turning point came in a late January road trip to Omaha. With two starters sidelined by injuries, the Jackrabbits dug out an 88-84 win over a quality opponent.

Still, SDSU was 12-16 before rattling off six straight wins, including three in the Summit League tournament, capped by a title-game victory over Omaha to earn an NCAA berth.

“Our man defense has taken on an identity for us,” Otzelberger said. “Mike Daum has been our go-to guy and we’ve tried to play through him for the most part offensively. We’ve done a better job rebounding and that’s been a key component.”

Daum, a 6-foot-9 sophomore post, ranks second nationally at 25.3 points per game. Reed Tellinghuisen, a 6-6 junior guard/forward, is the only other player in double figures at 11.9. He’s made 73 3-pointers, second only to Daum’s 77.

Senior wing A.J. Hess has 66 3-pointers but his playing time has dropped since returning from an injury five games ago. Senior point guard Michael Orris hit the go-ahead shot with 1.5 seconds left in a semifinal win over top-seeded South Dakota. GU crushed South Dakota in December.

The Jackrabbits broke the school record for 3-pointers made (313) and attempted (863).

“Reed’s production really kicked in the second half of conference play. He’s our glue guy, knocks down shots, gets to the rim and rebounds,” Otzelberger said. “Orris played 40 minutes in the championship game. He’s a good on-ball defender and our coach on the floor.”

Orris could end up defending Williams-Goss, who said he’s looking forward to seeing his old coach but that the Zags’ aren’t looking past the Jackrabbits (18-16).

“That was his goal (to be a head coach),” Williams-Goss said. “He’s obviously done a good job getting them to the NCAA tournament.”