UND (1-0) @ #8 Gonzaga (2-0)

[SWSiouxMN]

UND started the Paul Sather Era with a bang, taking an early lead and never letting go against D3 Crown College.  The competition steps up in a big way however, as they head on out to Spokane to take on perirenal WCC and National Power, Gonzaga.  

About the Zags:

If you look what the Zags have done since 2015,  you would have to be impressed.  5 straight Sweet 16s, 3 Elite 8's, a Final 4 and a National Runner Up.  Not too bad from the original mid-major cinderella.  For Mark Few, he pretty much as done it all.  Expect one thing eludes him, the big one.  The ultimate validation, a national title.  He came so close in 2017, but fell against the <title redacted due to academic.... oh wait, they didn't> Tar Heels.  Had a great team last year but fell to a tough Texas Tech team.  They lost quite a bit of talent that went off to the Pros or graduate, but like other top teams... they just reload.  This Zags team is young and talented and will look to challenge for National Supremacy once again.  However, there will be some growing pains and a veteran St. Mary's team looks to knock them off the perch in the WCC.

Last time out: Home at Crown

Rebraca picked up his 3rd career double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds and Desean Allen-Eikens opened his UND career with 22 points, which lead UND to an 86-61 victory over D3 Crown College

Series History:

The Zags lead the all-time series 5-0, with 4 of the matchups back in the DII days.  The only matchup was 2 years ago when UND almost did the unthinkable and with a solid performance behind Geno Crandall (who ironically transferred to Gonzaga the following year) nearly upset them.  They lost in OT 89-83

Player to Watch:  Filip Petrusev (6'11 Sophomore, 20 ppg, 6 rpg, 73.7% fg)

If you are looking for your next star at Gonzaga, this guy is it.  Played a reserve role last year for a star studded team, but now he the big Serb is ready to make a name for himself.  He is going to make like difficult for Rebraca with his size.  In fact, we are going to have a big Serbian battle in the middle in this one.  High percentage in the paint. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keys:

1) Get the Seniors going

The seniors are going to be important if UND wants to have any serious chances at the Summit this year.  While Marlon showed some promise in game 1, Brown and Walter were average at best.  That is not going to cut it.  This would be a good game for them to step up and get their games going.

2) Keep getting better

It is Game 2 under a new coach and a new system against a national power.  It will be important to see the growth both individually and the team in the systems that Sather runs.  Go play your best and see what happens.

3) Cut down the turnovers

Sather wasn't too happy with the high number of turnovers against Crown and I'm sure will be a point of emphasis.  Obviously with a talented team, they will need to take much better care of the ball if they want a chance of pulling the upset. 

The Call:

Once again, this will be a tough game to really put the measuring stick on where this team is at.  It might not be until their trip to Valpo and Milwaukee before we can accurately measure this team.  To me, lets keep seeing some growth from the youth and lets get Brown and Walter going.  Anything can happen and in fact, I'll say it stays closer than the experts think, but I think the Zags talent carries the day.

Zags 84-67

Game is on ROOT sports, for those who have that channel. 

[hushpuppy]

Hi, folks.  The WCC should be streaming this one for those out of the ROOT viewing area.  Here’s a link: https://wccsports.com/watch/

Hoping for a good game, no injuries, and that you don’t give us a scare like a couple of years ago.  (Heck of a show by Geno in that one.)

[darell1976]

This would be the biggest win in UND men’s basketball history, if they can pull the upset. Bison got blown out last year by them so let’s at least keep it close.

[siouxfan512]

8 hours ago, hushpuppy said:

Hi, folks.  The WCC should be streaming this one for those out of the ROOT viewing area.  Here’s a link: https://wccsports.com/watch/

Hoping for a good game, no injuries, and that you don’t give us a scare like a couple of years ago.  (Heck of a show by Geno in that one.)

That was definitely an exciting game for UND fans. I don't expect it do be anything as close as that year, but Marlon Stewart can put on a show, if he gets rolling.

I'm interested to see how Allen-Eikens does against tougher competition.

[siouxfan512]

6 hours ago, darell1976 said:

This would be the biggest win in UND men’s basketball history, if they can pull the upset. Bison got blown out last year by them so let’s at least keep it close.

yes, and it wouldn't even be close. I don't think UND has really had a huge defining win over a big program in the D1 era. I'm don't follow basketball quite as close as some other sports though, so I could be wrong.

[MoSiouxFan]

9 hours ago, hushpuppy said:

Hi, folks.  The WCC should be streaming this one for those out of the ROOT viewing area.  Here’s a link: https://wccsports.com/watch/

Hoping for a good game, no injuries, and that you don’t give us a scare like a couple of years ago.  (Heck of a show by Geno in that one.)

Thanks for the heads up on the streaming link.

[Kab]

We are 29 point dogs with the o/u at 149

 

[siouxfan512]

15 minutes ago, Kab said:

We are 29 point dogs with the o/u at 149

 

So you're sayin there's a chance

[Kab]

Always a chance

see what progress we made in practice this week 

[NewUndFan]

11 hours ago, hushpuppy said:

Hi, folks.  The WCC should be streaming this one for those out of the ROOT viewing area.  Here’s a link: https://wccsports.com/watch/

Hoping for a good game, no injuries, and that you don’t give us a scare like a couple of years ago.  (Heck of a show by Geno in that one.)

Call me stupid but I just upgraded my Dish Network package to get Root Sports!

[SiouxVolley]

Eastern Washington schools have not hesitated to help themselves to our players:  e.g Crandall and Drick.

Hope all our players have a great game, but not enough to impress the Zags to steal one, especially Allen-Eikens.

[SWSiouxMN]

Same starters from the Crown Game

Stewart, Brown, Allen-Eikens, Walter, Rebraca

[SWSiouxMN]

UND off to a cold start

[SWSiouxMN]

8-0 Zags run to start the game

TO UND

 

[SWSiouxMN]

Out of the timeout

10 seconds

Woof

[SWSiouxMN]

Rebraca tip in 

8-2 Zags

[SWSiouxMN]

Their Serb beat our Serb to the board, got the layup and the foul

11-2 Zags

 

[SWSiouxMN]

Not much as gone right so far for UND as we go to the first media

15-2 Zags 15:28 1st

They have deer in headlights syndrome right now. 

[SWSiouxMN]

15-4 Zags

[SWSiouxMN]

Brady 3

17-7 Zags

[SWSiouxMN]

20-7 Zags

[SWSiouxMN]

That WCC logo on the Zags court is pretty sweet

20-9 Zags after Marlon 2 fts

[SWSiouxMN]

This just in... the Zags are going to be really good this year

25-9 Zags

[SWSiouxMN]

Zags a half-second faster on both ends and are playing well.  UND has improved a little 

25-9 Zags at the under 12 media 

[BarnWinterSportsEngelstad]

19 hours ago, hushpuppy said:

Hi, folks.  The WCC should be streaming this one for those out of the ROOT viewing area.  Here’s a link: https://wccsports.com/watch/

Hoping for a good game, no injuries, and that you don’t give us a scare like a couple of years ago.  (Heck of a show by Geno in that one.)

Thanks for the stream, pretty good picture.