There’s great scoring teams and then there’s what the Bulldogs have been this season, which is utterly ridiculous.
Entering Tuesday night’s 84-66 win over Saint Mary’s in the finals of the WCC Conference Tournament, Gonzaga was averaging 87.5 points and had six different players averaging in double-figures. The Bulldogs’ seventh leading scorer — Drew Timme — was averaging 9.6 points before tallying nine points off the bench in the win over the Gaels.
Mark Few’s squad hasn’t scored less than 70 points in a game since a loss to Michigan at the Battle 4 Atlantis in November.
This may not be Few’s best team since he’s been pulling the strings in Spokane, but it may give him his best chance to win a national title because of the landscape of the sport.
At 31-2 overall, Gonzaga is a lock to be the top overall seed in the West Region on Selection Sunday.
Thursday’s game between Texas and Texas Tech is can’t miss TV
Just when you think you find out the answers, somebody else changes the questions.
The Longhorns seemed like a lock for the NCAA Tournament after a recent five-game winning streak, but last Saturday’s loss to Oklahoma State in Austin put Texas back on the bubble.
Now it’s going to take a second win over Texas Tech in a two-week span to put Shaka Smart’s squad in the NCAA Tournament.
Texas’ showdown with the Red Raiders in Thursday’s Big 12 Tournament is appointment television for a number of reasons.
Maybe it’s because the loser will likely miss the NCAA Tournament.
Maybe it’s because Chris Beard has been long rumored to be the potential replacement for Smart if the Longhorns’ administration ever made a coaching change.
Maybe it’s because the two programs are in-state rivals.
Regardless of the circumstances, the game on Thursday is can’t miss TV for the college basketball junkie.
The Ivy League’s actions could be a precursor of what’s to come
The only thing that’s for sure right now in college basketball?
Nothing’s for sure.
The Ivy League’s decision to cancel its conference tournament on Tuesday due to Coronavirus sent a shock wave throughout the sport just days before Selection Sunday.
Will others follow?
Both the Big West and the MAC announced on Tuesday afternoon that their respective conference tournaments will be played later this week with restricted attendance.
Will similar precautions be made next week when the NCAA Tournament begins?
That’s the million dollar question right now in college basketball circles.
The only thing that’s for sure?
Nothing’s for sure.
The door could be open for St. John’s to make a run in the Big East Tournament
Mike Anderson’s first postseason as the Red Storm’s head coach begins tonight against Georgetown, an opponent that St. John’s led by 17 points in the second half last month before suffering a devastating loss at Madison Square Garden.
If the Red Storm beat the Hoyas, they would then get a shot at Creighton on Thursday less than two weeks after beating the Jays by 20 points at Carnesecca Arena.
Another thing to keep in mind?
Creighton’s starting point guard Marcus Zegarowski won’t play in the Big East Tournament due to a meniscus injury and that could make it extremely difficult for Greg McDermott’s squad to deal with the Red Storm’s relentless full-court pressure.
It will be interesting to see how Madison Square Garden reacts throughout the week if Anderson and St. John’s can get some momentum going.
Hofstra has exorcised its demons
Twice in the past five years, the Pride advanced to the title game of the CAA Tournament and wound up in purgatory.
Now, they’re in heaven.
Hofstra’s 70-61 win over Northeastern on Tuesday night gives the Long Island school its first ever CAA Tournament title. It also put the Pride in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001, which was Jay Wright’s last season at Hofstra before heading to Villanova.
Don’t be surprised if this team is a nuisance for someone to handle in the field of 68, as evidenced by its win earlier in the season at UCLA.
Joe Mihalich has now taken two programs — Hofstra and NIagara — to the NCAA Tournament during his career.
