http://www.espn.com/blog/collegebas...nzaga-proves-its-depth-is-its-greatest-weapon
MORAGA, Calif. -- Deep in the rolling hills of Northern California on Saturday night, an NBA scout for a franchise desperate to add a superb rookie to next season's roster craned his neck and squinted at the game notes.
He seemed baffled by big man Zach Collins, the talented Gonzaga freshman. Why did he play only 17.3 minutes per game entering No. 1 Gonzaga's 74-64 win over No. 20 Saint Mary's on Saturday?
Huh?
An NBA prospect on the No. 1 team in America comes off the bench. Why? Because he can.
In Saturday's prime-time showcase, coach Mark Few's program showcased the most significant weapon it will brandish in March: a nine-man rotation with limited drop-off whenever Few turns to his bench.
*****
In the NCAA tournament, the Bulldogs will boast one of the field's most impressive talent pools. But they don't have a Malik Monk or a Josh Jackson. They don't have a Lonzo Ball or a Dennis Smith Jr.
The Bulldogs don't have a guy that could Kemba Walker the postseason and carry his program to a national championship.
- Think this is where CC wants to get the program.
Aside from maybe once in a blue moon (and won't be until later), likely won't get that super blue-chip recruit, so will have to do with still talented, but not NBA lottery pick players.
This is where depth comes in and with depth, can sustain the defensive intensity for the full 40 minutes.
Quite amazing the level of sustained success the Gonzaga program has attained - not that long ago, many wouldn't have known that the school existed.
But man, wonder what Gonzaga's recruiting budget is like - they are getting players from around the world w/ players from Poland, Japan, France, Denmark and Canada currently on their roster.
MORAGA, Calif. -- Deep in the rolling hills of Northern California on Saturday night, an NBA scout for a franchise desperate to add a superb rookie to next season's roster craned his neck and squinted at the game notes.
He seemed baffled by big man Zach Collins, the talented Gonzaga freshman. Why did he play only 17.3 minutes per game entering No. 1 Gonzaga's 74-64 win over No. 20 Saint Mary's on Saturday?
Huh?
An NBA prospect on the No. 1 team in America comes off the bench. Why? Because he can.
In Saturday's prime-time showcase, coach Mark Few's program showcased the most significant weapon it will brandish in March: a nine-man rotation with limited drop-off whenever Few turns to his bench.
*****
In the NCAA tournament, the Bulldogs will boast one of the field's most impressive talent pools. But they don't have a Malik Monk or a Josh Jackson. They don't have a Lonzo Ball or a Dennis Smith Jr.
The Bulldogs don't have a guy that could Kemba Walker the postseason and carry his program to a national championship.
- Think this is where CC wants to get the program.
Aside from maybe once in a blue moon (and won't be until later), likely won't get that super blue-chip recruit, so will have to do with still talented, but not NBA lottery pick players.
This is where depth comes in and with depth, can sustain the defensive intensity for the full 40 minutes.
Quite amazing the level of sustained success the Gonzaga program has attained - not that long ago, many wouldn't have known that the school existed.
But man, wonder what Gonzaga's recruiting budget is like - they are getting players from around the world w/ players from Poland, Japan, France, Denmark and Canada currently on their roster.
