Zags’ ‘D’ needs more bite

“Et tu, Brute?” This is the question every Inland Northwest sports fan was asking 38 minutes into Big Monday’s big “D”ebacle.

Had the Motor City Madmen pulled an all-nighter cross country and removed their caps just prior to entering the MAC?

That aside, when it comes to defense, this Bulldogs club’s bark is infinitely worse than its bite.

Referees’ calls don’t mean squat when you’re up by 20 and still pouring it on. This club is suffering from a condition called “Lack of Pendo.” The joke at our house is that his red hair draws the fouls.

I got the real skinny directly from one of the Big Monday zebras after the game. “He presents a challenge because he’s always got his body into the opposing player.”

Imagine that? Always having one’s body into the opposing player? Why not insert this tidbit of coaching wisdom into the game plan? Or better yet, how about putting it back in its rightful place, at the beginning, middle and end of the Gonzaga University men’s basketball mission statement?

Zones are for teams that can’t play defense. The program was built around a relentless in-your-face, helping man-to-man defense … precisely what we see when David Pendergraft takes the floor. His intensity is infectious and by giving up both inches and pounds night after night, there’s no questioning his heart.

So, let’s put the bite back into the Big Blue and White (not red) “D” by scratching the zone and letting the Big Dog off the bench more often. Then maybe if the entire team has a body on someone, it won’t draw so much attention to the redhead.

John and Colleen Little

Spokane