Baylor 86, Gonzaga 70
Go Zags
Obviously would have loved us to be playing here, but I haven’t been so excited for a final in quite a while.
The crazy part is, I doubt it tops the ucla/zags semi. If it does or it’s close, we’re in for a treat.
The crazy part is, I doubt it tops the ucla/zags semi. If it does or it’s close, we’re in for a treat.
Why is it starting so late? Should be a great game though.
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
Dictated by the network and its other progamming, I guess.
Anyone but Gonzaga, just like all the other seasons.
Per College Basketball Reference, Gonzaga is 86th in SOS and Baylor is 75th. Those numbers will improve a bit after playing each other, but there’s a good chance that whichever team wins will have the worst SOS of a title team for as far back as I could look without getting bored (1960).
2006 Florida (64th) was the previous worst over that time period.
I don’t think this is a trend or anything or mean it as a critique of the teams. I think it’s entirely COVID related as each team had non conference games cancelled, including the game between each other.
2006 Florida (64th) was the previous worst over that time period.
I don’t think this is a trend or anything or mean it as a critique of the teams. I think it’s entirely COVID related as each team had non conference games cancelled, including the game between each other.
I am still of the mind Gonzaga has not played anyone close to Baylor’s caliber. Their non-con looks less impressive in hindsight. WVU sputtered down the stretch. Iowa doesn’t play D. Virginia never got it going and flamed out early. Kansas got dropped early. Their conference schedule is a joke year in and year out.
Their road to the championship is a 16, Oklahoma missing key player, Creighton, USC, UCLA (also missing a top 2 player). No seeds better than a 5 during the run. Baylor before their pause was destroying teams and their perimeter D is outstanding. Suggs and Nembhard will not be able to get into the lane at will in this game. If Baylor shoots decently I think they win somewhat comfortably.
Their road to the championship is a 16, Oklahoma missing key player, Creighton, USC, UCLA (also missing a top 2 player). No seeds better than a 5 during the run. Baylor before their pause was destroying teams and their perimeter D is outstanding. Suggs and Nembhard will not be able to get into the lane at will in this game. If Baylor shoots decently I think they win somewhat comfortably.
ILLINIShox24
Orange Krush '04 & '05
On this Final Four trip, Gonzaga assistant coach Roger Powell Jr. knows history awaits
Nice article about Rev on ESPN
Nice article about Rev on ESPN
Baylor 86
Gonzaga 78
I think Timme will be neutralized this game (Vital and Tchatchoua factor). I think Baylor contains Kispert's 3's. The matchups just seem to favor Baylor slightly. I look for Mitchell and Mayer (darkhorse) each to have a big game. Hopefully, the refs will "let them play" and not ruin the game flow.
Lastly, I think this will be a fast-paced, entertaining game. One where we will find out really if "defense wins championships".
Gonzaga 78
I think Timme will be neutralized this game (Vital and Tchatchoua factor). I think Baylor contains Kispert's 3's. The matchups just seem to favor Baylor slightly. I look for Mitchell and Mayer (darkhorse) each to have a big game. Hopefully, the refs will "let them play" and not ruin the game flow.
Lastly, I think this will be a fast-paced, entertaining game. One where we will find out really if "defense wins championships".
I think a number of folks are under estimating the Zags on here. While they didn’t have the most difficult path to this game, they earned the easiest path by winning every game.
They also didn’t just win, they whipped everyone except UCLA. A game that they survived despite missing a lot of open 3’s they usually knock down, and UCLA shooting nearly 50% from deep.
Both play great defense, both have knock down shooters, and both give up good looks for great ones regularly.
I’m expecting a classic.
They also didn’t just win, they whipped everyone except UCLA. A game that they survived despite missing a lot of open 3’s they usually knock down, and UCLA shooting nearly 50% from deep.
Both play great defense, both have knock down shooters, and both give up good looks for great ones regularly.
I’m expecting a classic.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
Davion Mitchell is cat quick and unstoppable in the games I have seen them play.....He will blow by you down the lane, pull up for a 3 or pass for an assist like no other player i have witnessed this year....I thought he was more deserving of All American status over Butler, and Butler is also unstoppable , at times...
Mayer is a nylon swisher from deep...Vital is a tight end playing BB.....Teague and the others seem to me to be capable of big games at any time.....
Timme is so adept with either hand around the rim, but i wish he would refrain from that adeptness around the mouth and chin after a made basket....got old real quick for me.....Kispert is a dead eye shot but hasn't been as deadly the last few games , imho.....Suggs is a nightmare to guard and exceptional on D...He was Mr BB and MR FB the same year ....HUH ? That's really impressive and the half court shot will live forever, cementing his position as a great freshman player on a great team......Nembhard (sic) and the dude from France and others are as capable as the players from Baylor that i listed above in raising their games to elite level....
I think Baylor has the players to limit what the Zags want to do and will prevail....Interesting to see if the Zags -UCLA game took anything out of them or lowered their confidence in themselves...first game in less than double digits win in last 27 (?) games.....
Baylor 88
Zags 87
in another barnburner
Mayer is a nylon swisher from deep...Vital is a tight end playing BB.....Teague and the others seem to me to be capable of big games at any time.....
Timme is so adept with either hand around the rim, but i wish he would refrain from that adeptness around the mouth and chin after a made basket....got old real quick for me.....Kispert is a dead eye shot but hasn't been as deadly the last few games , imho.....Suggs is a nightmare to guard and exceptional on D...He was Mr BB and MR FB the same year ....HUH ? That's really impressive and the half court shot will live forever, cementing his position as a great freshman player on a great team......Nembhard (sic) and the dude from France and others are as capable as the players from Baylor that i listed above in raising their games to elite level....
I think Baylor has the players to limit what the Zags want to do and will prevail....Interesting to see if the Zags -UCLA game took anything out of them or lowered their confidence in themselves...first game in less than double digits win in last 27 (?) games.....
Baylor 88
Zags 87
in another barnburner
An excerpt on an article about Roger "The Rev" Powell Jr. on ESPN
“The oldest player on my team, I asked him, ‘Hey, man, you’re from St. Louis. Do you remember when we played in the Final Four?’
“He said, ‘Coach, I was 7 years old.’ ”
Great article and extremely happy for him, was one of my favorites from that team for the way he conducted business. It goes to show that what we hang our hats on with recruits is irrelevant, or old news to them!
“The oldest player on my team, I asked him, ‘Hey, man, you’re from St. Louis. Do you remember when we played in the Final Four?’
“He said, ‘Coach, I was 7 years old.’ ”
Great article and extremely happy for him, was one of my favorites from that team for the way he conducted business. It goes to show that what we hang our hats on with recruits is irrelevant, or old news to them!
Whitmans Sampler
- Eastern Iowa
Who wins the Suggs Mitchell matchup? I say Mitchell by a sliver.
Great stats and also very surprising. I would have thought they both may have been a little higher, but especially Baylor with he Big 12 schedule alone. Not to mention they did play us in non-conference. Great stats tho
Expecting Baylor to win tonight in a close game. I believe the Bears have an edge in guard play, but Timme gives the Zags a better inside threat. The key factor to me is that Gonzaga only played 2 players off the bench against UCLA, while Baylor is much deeper... foul trouble for the Zags (especially Timme) would be a big problem. Who really knows, I just like the offensive and defensive play of Baylor's 3 guards.
Bo Borowski officiating tonight. Expect some controversy
Bears win
That was a pass
And, a charge
And, a charge
Hope baylor shuts them out