Gonzaga’s Kevin Pangos carries on new Canadian trend
SEATTLE – Kevin Pangos had just scored 15 of his 18 points in the second half to help Gonzaga hold off North Dakota State on Friday, but the initial line of postgame questioning had nothing to do with his performance.
Pangos fielded several questions from a reporter on the growing numbers of Canadians on NCAA rosters. It’s a scene that has played out several times in Pangos’ career when Gonzaga plays on the road or in the NCAA tournament. The Zags have gone north of the border for numerous recruits, including Pangos, Kelly Olynyk, Robert Sacre, Manny Arop and Bol Kong. Kyle Wiltjer, whose father Greg played for Canada in the 1984 Olympics, holds dual citizenship.
“It’s getting way better,” said Pangos, who has extensive experience on Canadian national teams. “More guys are playing and there are more guys to look up to on either the NCAA stage or NBA stage.”
There are 26 Canadians on NCAA tournament rosters, according to an Edmonton Sun article.
The topic Saturday shifted to the retirement of Steve Nash, who won two MVP awards in his 19-year career. As a kid, Pangos read an article in which Nash mentioned shooting outside in the rain, so he did the same thing outside the family home in Holland Landing, Ontario.
“Just watching him when I was growing up, making that dream, making the NBA realistic and feel possible,” Pangos said. “One, being Canadian and being about the same height as me, and obviously once I got to know him it was even better. He gave me good pointers and has been supportive of my career.”
On the mend
Freshman guard Josh Perkins’ season ended in late November when his clever pump-fake prompted Georgia guard Kenny Gaines to leave his feet. Gaines’ leg struck Perkins’ face, who suffered a dislocated and fractured jaw. Nearly four months later, Perkins still has to sit out contact drills.
“We’re going to apply for a medical redshirt,” Perkins said. “I can’t play until late April or mid-May as far as full contact, but I can work out and shoot.”
Perkins wishes he could fast-forward his recovery.
“It’s on pace but it’s just a slow, slow process,” he said. “It’s connecting, but I thought by now that solid bone would be there and I could get hit. But it’s not solid bone so it’s going to take longer.”
Perkins, the heir apparent at point guard after Pangos graduates, was averaging 20 minutes in five game appearances.
“It’s tough watching, but these guys make it easy for me,” Perkins said. “They keep my head in it.”
Eye test
Center Przemek Karnowski was poked in his left eye during Friday’s win. He left the court briefly but returned to play. Karnowski played 22 minutes, limited by two first-half fouls and two more in the second half.
“I went to the see a doctor (Saturday). They did some tests. He said it should be fine and I’m ready to go,” Karnowski said. “My vision was a little blurry afterward. Today I woke up and I was right.”
Comfortable away from home
As the only school left in the Seattle pod whose campus lies west of the Great Plains, Gonzaga’s home-court advantage is likely to be even greater than it was when the Bulldogs painted KeyArena red on Friday. But this Iowa team is as likely as any to tune out GU’s fans and a sizable crowd might not be enough to throw off the Hawkeyes. No UI team since the 1986-87 season has more road victories than this year’s Hawkeyes.
“I just don’t think we really care where we’re playing or who we’re playing,” White said. “I think we just go out and play our game. I think that when you watch us, I think we’re a group that’s really together, that loves one another, that plays for one another. I think that helps us in tough situations.
Iowa drought came to an end
If the Bulldogs win today they will end a five-year streak of losing their second NCAA tournament game. The Hawkeyes have already ended their dubious streak and are simply hoping to keep the new positive momentum going as long as possible. Iowa’s win over Davidson on Friday ended a 5,113-day drought of NCAA tournament wins, a slump stretching to 2001.