GU women’s notes: Bulldogs, George Washington appear relaxed

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Both the 11th-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs and sixth-seeded George Washington women’s basketball teams have the look of confident teams that are comfortable with the pressure of the NCAA tournament.

The Colonials (29-3) could be heard singing and chanting in their locker room as they waited for their time on the practice floor.

As they stood in the hallway of Oregon State’s Gill Coliseum, some of the players incorporated the word Gonzaga into their song.

When they took the court, coach Jonathan Tsipis had his players work on a drill in which offensive players drove into the paint. The players rewarded each other for getting a rebound just as much as making a shot.

But one player put her head down after missing a shot, prompting Tsipis to halt practice.

“It hasn’t happened all year. Let’s go,” he shouted.

The Colonials displayed a two-deep rotation with several athletic and quick guards. Jonquel Jones, at 6-foot-4, definitely looks like the best post player the Zags have faced all year.

Zags down low

When Gonzaga took the court, the coaches had the Bulldogs shoot before assistant coach Craig Fortier personally posted up against the team’s taller players in a box-out drill.

Fortier separated the teams and put them through a situational scrimmage, forcing the post players to both defend inside and find a way to score.

“Boxing out well will be a huge factor,” senior guard Keani Albanez said.

Guards on guards

The Colonials back court is led by 5-7 Chakecia Miller, who averages 7.0 points and 3.9 assists a game. The starters also include 5-9 Shannon Cranshaw (5.9 points) and 5-9 Hannah Schaible (9.1 points, 5.0 rebounds).

While George Washington’s focus is to get the ball into the post, it must also deal with a size advantage for Gonzaga.

The Bulldogs’ backcourt includes 5-10 Albanez, who is second on the team with 12.8 points, and 6-2 Elle Tinkle, who not only scores 11.8 points but also normally defends the opponents’ best guard.

Gonzaga also starts 5-7 guard Georgia Stirton (5.8 points) and brings 6-foot Lindsay Sherbert off the bench.

Tsipis praised the physicality of Gonzaga’s starters.

“Sunny Greinacher is very similar to Jonquel (Jones),” he said. “Elle Tinkle, with her ability to do what she did in the WCC, is a first-team, all-conference player. And, Albanez is a tough, hard-nosed perimeter player.”

Tournament records

Gonzaga got bounced last season as a No. 6 seed by No. 11 seed James Madison. But the Bulldogs are 5-2 as a No. 11 seed.

“It just shows that March Madness really works,” Greinacher said.

George Washington historically is a tough draw on the tournament’s first day. The Colonials are 13-2 in first-round games.

The Colonials better bring some defense. The Zags are 21-0 this season when they score at least 70 points and 13-0 when their opponents commit more turnovers.