Vicky Graff Photo
Gonzaga coach Mark Few has something in common with Kentucky fans — he really likes the way freshmen guards Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard play.
“I’m so impressed with their freshmen’s skill level. It’s crazy. Sheppard and Dillingham, just how skilled they are. Obviously, they’re talented but it’s amazing how they shoot it and shoot it so easily, how confident they are. The whole group is very impressive,” said Few.
Gonzaga will play UK in Rupp Arena Saturday afternoon. The Zags beat UK 88-72 in Spokane last year when the Cats shot just 39 percent from the field.
“I don’t think offensively they were quite there last year but this is a really, really good offensive team,” Few said. “And they’re deadly in transition, so we’ve got to get back and guard the 3-line and try to set our defense and keep them in front.”
Both teams desperately need a win, a situation UK was in two weeks ago at Arkansas and won before returning home and dropping games in Rupp Arena to Florida and South Carolina. Kentucky is 2-4 in Quad 1 games with five Quad 1 games left. Gonzaga (17-6, 8-2 West Coast Conference) is 0-5 in Quad 1 games with three left and is on the verge of not making the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 25 years.
“They’re desperate just like we are but man, they’ve got some high-level talent,” Few said after Wednesday’s 95-64 win over Portland when the Zags hit a season-high 15 3-pointers.. “Cal’s done a good job bringing freshmen in and mixing in some experienced transfers and keeping a couple of guys around from last year and they’re really, really something on offense right now.”
Braden Huff had 25 points and Anton Watson 20 for Gonzaga against Portland. Former UK commit Nolan Hickman had 12 points on 4-for-6 shooting from 3.
Gonzaga is hitting 34 percent from 3 this season, the worst percentage in Few’s tenure. In a loss to St. Mary’s last week Gonzaga hit only three 3’s and they had just two in losses to UConn and Santa Clara.
“Hopefully, we’ll make shots (against Kentucky) like we did tonight,” Few said after the Portland win. “The game feels a lot better, looks a lot better, and the result is usually a lot better when you just make those open shots. Helps when you make 15 3’s instead of three or four.”
9 Responses
Dillingham and Sheppard would be the pride of anyone in the country’s front court. Wagner and Reeves would also be the pride of anyone’s front court. I don’t understand why we don’t go to a platoon system. Like in 2015. We went undefeated 38-0 until we couldn’t buy a bucket against Wisconsin. This year we don’t have that problem we have more shooters than any other kentucky team in the calapari Era. But I still say go with the platoon system and everyone is happy and helps the chemistry. Wagner Reeves Thiero Mitchell and big O. Then bring in Dillingham Sheppard Edwards Burks and Big Z and have Bradshaw intertwine between the platoons or you could play Big Z and Bradshaw and have Burks intertwine because he can play multiple positions. I think our chemistry would be at a all time high and maybe we would play better defense with fresh bodies. I still say if you play a 2-3 zone with this team we would be unstoppable. It would be hard to score on all the lengthy players we have. Plus it would lead to more fast break points. But what do I know I don’t make 9 million a year to lose with the best 11 players in college basketball.
Those are great ideas Terry. Any Hall of Fame coach thats interested in winning ballgames would already be doing those things. But our Hall of Fame coach won’t do it because he’s not interested in winning ballgames. That strategy would mean his All Americans might not make it to the G league.
Deion Sanders already has former Marine drill instructors working on his football players at the University of Colorado. Joe B. used to have his All Americans work in his tobacco patch. Our Hall of Fame coach took our players to a rappers house to lay around a pool and do whatever is associated with that.
Our players talk about grit this and grit that. I don’t think they have a clue what they’re talking about. Maybe some men will show up tomorrow afternoon with Kentucky across they’re chest. But I’m skeptical. GO CATS!
The chemistry is there and another thing how can you platoon when we haven’t been 100 percent at a game the whole season. Come on guys think before blowing smoke
Calipari wouldn’t do it no matter 100%
There’s no use for it, tell me what team that’s doing it today none. Were in a different era of basketball than in 2015 the parity is there now more then back then. It’s there folks forget about the Glory days of beating up on teams that we witnessed back then or before.that. wake up folks.
Maybe
I’ll NEVER be ok with losing to UNC Wimington, St. Peter’s and the long list of teams that we’ve lost to.
No mention of the "pets" here. That will add fuel to the chemistry fire.
Larry V….aren’t things being exceptionally quiet on the FB OC search? Hope this doesn’t suggest that Stoop’s and Coen aren’t throwing off any negative influences.