If teams have aspirations of beating the Zags...

BobZag · #1 09-19-2009, 07:24 PM

...they better do it this coming season.

After this season, the team loses Matt Bouldin. Everybody else returns and will be much improved (especially the frosh and sophs) and the team will rival any team Gonzaga has ever fielded, and quite possibly surpassing any previous Zag team. Meech, Steven, Rob, Mangisto, Bol, Andy, Elias, GJ, Sam, Kelly, et al, will mostly be baaaack for 2010, 2011, 2012, etc.

And if Few gets who he wants to get out of high school for 2011, 2012, etc., the Zags will only get better as the years pass. The talent level will just be sick.

Indeed, the best is truly yet to come.

We Zag fans are very fortunate to be along for the ride.

CDC84 · #2 09-19-2009, 07:32 PM

Quote:

And if Few gets who he wants to get out of high school for 2011, 2012, etc., the Zags will only get better as the years pass. The talent level will just be sick.

What's terrific about 2011 and 2012 is that not only is there a lot of talent to be had in the Pacific NW area, but a lot of that talent is very, very interested in Gonzaga.

I think landing Kyle Wiltjer is a very important step for this program. He's a consensus top 30 player, but more importantly, he's a big man. High level big men in college basketball are a rare commodity, and the competition to get them is intense. So when you've got a kid like this who is really interested in your program, you've got to take advantage of the situation.

MDABE80 · #3 09-19-2009, 07:54 PM

As these kids spend a full season of college wars, they'll grow together. Never had a concern about the talent. It's an amazing bunch of players. Always the esprit de corps/camaraderie is a big thing in the ranks of high end athletes and their successful teams. Friendships and talent as a team develop. They become a unit..this is how the group from ten years back drew it up.

I think this new group has the talent to E8 or FF it. The liklihood is higher if they stay together. Rare deal we've got at GU. As CDC indicates, the better players usually want the better programs...it becomes a tradition.

BobZag · #4 09-19-2009, 08:00 PM

The fellas won't be pushovers by any stretch this season, but the stars have rarely, if ever, aligned quite as nicely as they have for future seasons.

zag67 · #5 09-19-2009, 10:11 PM

Also when you look at the following season, we only lose Steven Gray (unless some decide to go early). This will mean that they will have had 2 years together to learn how to leverage each others strengths and protect their weaknesses. I agree that this group could be really good.

SunDevilGolfZag · #6 09-19-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zag67

Also when you look at the following season, we only lose Steven Gray (unless some decide to go early). This will mean that they will have had 2 years together to learn how to leverage each others strengths and protect their weaknesses. I agree that this group could be really good.

Especially with Rob as their Sr. leader

MickMick · #7 09-20-2009, 12:06 AM

The stars won't align immediately. But I don't think we necessarily have to wait for next season either.

Think of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals last season. Or the North Carolina State squad that Jimmy V. had. Sometimes it only takes a half of a season to get everyone on the same page and into a roll.

ronh_pm · #8 09-20-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMick

The stars won't align immediately. But I don't think we necessarily have to wait for next season either.

Think of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals last season. Or the North Carolina State squad that Jimmy V. had. Sometimes it only takes a half of a season to get everyone on the same page and into a roll.

Dare to dream.

Reborn · #9 09-20-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronh_pm

Dare to dream.

"I've got that peaceful easy feeling." by the Eagles.

The #10 is my favorite number; so I expect something very special this year. And look at the # 2010. Doesn't it look cool? Yes 2012 could be the BEST year because 12 is the perfect number. That's all I know about numberology...ha ha ha ha I was worried for a time because of the uncertainly surrounding Bol Kong, but now that he's on board the stars are aligned quite well for this year.

GoZags · #10 09-20-2009, 08:46 AM

BobZag, nice post -- although a post (and it's replies) on another board have proclaimed you "Out of Control".

I really like the group that Few and staff have brought in. I liken it to '00/'01, when 7 newcomers joined the rotation, and much of the season was played with only two guys on the floor who'd ever donned a Zag uniform prior to that season. Of course '01 ended with a Sweet 16 loss to Michigan State.

I continue to believe what I've been posting for the last half decade or so -- The Best IS yet to come.

MickMick · #11 09-20-2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronh_pm

Dare to dream.

You never know when the right combination can put it all together.

Edit:

Go Zags, The Zags 10 year run is at about an 80% winning percentage. The record does not need to be defended. It stands for itself. The Zags will continue to be good.

The time has come for me to stop worrying about a trivial band of internet outlaws wallowing in self pity. Our time is best spent elsewhere rather than reading that garbage.

BobZag · #12 09-20-2009, 11:03 AM

Zag67 brings up a point I forgot to include. The Zags do lose just one in 2011 in Steven Gray after losing just one in 2010 in Matt Bouldin. Meanwhile, the experience and improvement of this 2009 class "should" more than compensate, plus an impressive infusion of talent awaits in the 2011 and 2012 classes, and CDC is right on: Gonzaga is in good shape with all of them.

I hope all Zag fans are enjoying this ride. As fun as the last 10 years have been, they might've only been the appetizer.

Oh, and Kong looked good running the court in a loose pickup game situation.

NotoriousZ · #13 09-20-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobZag

Zag67 brings up a point I forgot to include. The Zags do lose just one in 2011 in Steven Gray after losing just one in 2010 in Matt Bouldin. Meanwhile, the experience and improvement of this 2009 class "should" more than compensate, plus an impressive infusion of talent awaits in the 2011 and 2012 classes, and CDC is right on: Gonzaga is in good shape with all of them.

I hope all Zag fans are enjoying this ride. As fun as the last 10 years have been, they might've only been the appetizer.

Oh, and Kong looked good running the court in a loose pickup game situation.

Man, I'd love to trade places with you for a day. Each day I get more excited about this season--it's hard to think about next year, but when I do I'm smiling.