Great opportunity against Gonzaga

[Deeringfish]

Having won the first ever appearance in the NCAA tournament the Cats have accomplished what, at the beginning of the season, would have been considered the ultimate hope.

Next NU plays 33-1 Gonzaga. 33-1..... In some ways this is a no lose situation for the program. First of all this team could win. If Vic Law gets hot and everyone else stays the same, this Cats team is really excellent. I don't mean to call Vic out, I know he is playing incredible D but if he was hot tonight the Cats would have had 10-15 more points. It is just true, he has such potential.

2nd this game is gravy. The guys should have fun and play loose, soak it in and play one of the best teams out there; a 33-1 team that no one can criticize them for losing to.

3rd, even if they lose, getting the opportunity to play a 33-1 team will leave an important impression on a team that returns 4 starters and the 6th man in Skelly. An impression of what a 33-1 team looks like.

Next year the goal will be to be better than 33-1.

What a great season. GO CATS!!!!!

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

We can beat them McIntosh needs to play well along with law then Lindsey and pardon and Ash

 

[SmellyCat]

I agree with every bit of this.

Saturday has the potential to be a game that a veteran-laden team will remember when they're playing for a title next year. If they win, great, we'll all be thrilled. If they lose, they have a great learning experience for 2018.

 

[eschbach]

Don't even think twice about the learning experience thing... just go out and be giant-killers on Saturday. It's not often a team gets a chance to take down a #1 seed, so just go stick a dagger in 'em! GO CATS!!

 

[SmellyCat]

Don't even think twice about the learning experience thing... just go out and be giant-killers on Saturday. It's not often a team gets a chance to take down a #1 seed, so just go stick a dagger in 'em! GO CATS!!

Well, of course, that is my preference.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

I've never been overly impressed by the West Coast Conference that Gonzaga has been winning the last few years. This conferred contains smaller private Catholic schools like St. Mary's. BYU is a more recent member. The Big Ten schedule is tough commpared to Gonzaga's WCC schedule. I think we have a real shot.

 

[NU Houston]

I've never been overly impressed by the West Coast Conference that Gonzaga has been winning the last few years. This conferred contains smaller private Catholic schools like St. Mary's. BYU is a more recent member. The Big Ten schedule is tough commpared to Gonzaga's WCC schedule. I think we have a real shot.

Gonzaga also had a strong out of conference schedule, including wins over Arizona, Florida and Iowa State. They are one of the best teams in the country and are deserving of a #1 seed. We can beat them, but it will be tough.

 

[mikewebb68]

On paper, it is a horrendous matchup for us. They are literally a team of giants down low, have a future NBA guard, and tremendous depth. They are #1 seed for a reason....

 

[SmellyCat]

On paper, it is a horrendous matchup for us. They are literally a team of giants down low, have a future NBA guard, and tremendous depth. They are #1 seed for a reason....

Well, there are a lot of things happening for the first time lately. Might as well beat the #1 seed while we're here.

 

[mikewebb68]

Well, there are a lot of things happening for the first time lately. Might as well beat the #1 seed while we're here.

Agreed! They will be much tougher than Vandy, which was actually a terrific matchup for us on paper. But obviously hope we beat them; at times they looked like they were sleeping today, hopefully they will sleep on us!

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

Gonzaga also had a strong out of conference schedule, including wins over Arizona, Florida and Iowa State. They are one of the best teams in the country and are deserving of a #1 seed. We can beat them, but it will be tough.

I agree that Gonzaga had a competitive non-conference schedule with the quality wins you mention and they could be the toughest opponent we've faced so far. I think the Big Ten conference schedule and tournament is a bigger meat grinder. I don't know if that going help or hurt us. I worry a little that we ran out of gas against Wisconsin. I think Gonzaga has to be a little afraid of us.

 

[FeliSilvestris]

Gonzaga also had a strong out of conference schedule, including wins over Arizona, Florida and Iowa State

Strong may be in the eyes of the beholder.
For the better teams of smaller conf the only tough opponents they face are the few they see in their OOC schedule. After they enter their conference schedule is smooth sailing.
In the WCC the only other NCAAT team is St. Mary's, about #22. The next stronger team is BYU which did beat Gonzaga, but already lost its first NIT game. So, it's hard to argue that Gonzaga played a tough schedule, when the vast majority of its games were against weak conference rivals, plus several also weak OOC opponents. At the end of the day they may have only played a handful of teams comparable to an upper division B1G team. That is nothing compared to what the typical B1G team faced.

 

[FeliSilvestris]

Strong may be in the eyes of the beholder.

The above doesn't prove they are bad. But it's hard to tell how good they really are when they are only challenged every now and then through the season.