Stats continue to move up for Downs
Senior guard benefits from starting spot
GU’s Austin Daye, collecting a rebound against Maryland, was saddled with foul trouble throughout much of the Old Spice Classic. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga senior guard Micah Downs can’t explain it, but his statistics seem to.
Downs is more comfortable starting games than coming off the bench. He has regained a starting position that he held for the first part of last season before Steven Gray cracked the first unit.
Downs’ numbers have never been better: 12.8 points, 5.6 rebounds.
“For me it is easier (starting),” Downs said. “I don’t know, it’s probably just a mental thing. I feel more confidence when I start the game. It’s something I’ve always felt more comfortable doing. We have six or seven guys that could easily start for us or any other team.”
Downs began the 2007-08 season as a starter, but he came off the bench late in the non-conference portion of the schedule and throughout the WCC slate. He started 12 of the first 13 games and averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. He finished the year at 7.9 and 3.7, respectively. Downs didn’t start in 17 appearances in 2006-07 when he averaged 8.1 points and 3.7 rebounds.
“Sometimes it was hard” as a non-starter, he said. “I started to get used to it, but I prefer how it is (now).”
Gray has said he doesn’t mind his role, which is typically as the first sub to enter the game. After a 19-point outburst against Tennessee, Gray is averaging 10.6 points. He averaged 8.1 points last season.
Playing with purpose
Point guard Jeremy Pargo had more on his mind than just basketball at the Old Spice Classic. It was difficult to read, but Pargo had “RIP Mr. Brown” written on one shoe and “Stay Strong” on the other. It was a tribute to Justin Brown, Pargo’s best friend and high school teammate in Chicago, and Brown’s dad.
“His father died over the (Thanksgiving) break, so it was pretty much just a message to him,” said Pargo, who was named tournament MVP. “He’d been taking care of his father since he was 16. I talked to him the day before the Oklahoma State game and he was crying and pretty down. It’s a tough time for him. I just wanted to do whatever I could to help him get through it.
“He has a younger sister he has to take care of and stay strong for now.”
Keeping Daye in play
Gonzaga won two tournament games despite Austin Daye missing significant playing time with early foul trouble. While the Zags were happy with the relief performances of Ira Brown and Robert Sacre, it’s a safe bet they’d like Daye to stay on the floor and stay out of foul trouble.
“He needs to be smarter,” head coach Mark Few said. “He needs to move his feet better and then if he can stay away from the inopportune, silly foul, that’s the one that gets him every game.”
Daye said he wasn’t sold that he earned all of the fouls he was whistled for in Orlando, Fla., but acknowledged he can learn from his mistakes.
“Sometimes I don’t realize my length, that I can back off guys and still pressure their shot,” the 6-foot-11 Daye said. “It’s a matter of me maturing and being smart and knowing which situations to press up and when not to. I’m definitely going to watch video after (Wednesday’s) practice and try to learn.”
Notes
It’s early, but Gonzaga is holding opponents to 34.9 percent shooting from the field. At the Old Spice Classic, GU limited Oklahoma State to 37.3, Maryland to 37.3 and Tennessee to 35.5. “That was huge,” forward Josh Heytvelt said. “That’s an emphasis of our coaches, holding teams under 40 percent.” … Freshman guard Grant Gibbs underwent surgery earlier this week to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The tear was bigger than the doctors thought, Gibbs said. He’ll be in a shoulder sling for 4-6 weeks. … Heytvelt’s mohawk is gone, replaced by a buzz cut. “It’s a good, clean-cut look instead of the crazy look,” he said. “He (Few) kind of suggested it and you kind of do what the man tells you, you know.”