Gonzaga is back. But maybe the real question is, where did they go? Many have taken Gonzaga for granted recently. Maybe they have written them off because of recent flameouts in the NCAA tournament. And maybe that's a compliment to the program that a mere tournament appearance just isn't enough any more. And further, when Gonzaga beats a major program, people barely notice. Like, "Oh look, Gonzaga knocked off one of the big boys again? We've seen that before."However, don't overlook what the Bulldogs did to Tennessee in the finals of the Old Spice Classic. This was different. Much different.
Gonzaga dominated the Volunteers and put out notice to the rest of the NCAA that this is a team that is going to challenge for a Final Four spot. Don't be fooled by the late push that Tennessee made. Gonzaga really tore apart the Volunteers and this looks like it's going to be a special season in Spokane.
Now, I have been accused in the past of stumping for the mid majors. And hey, that's fair. But there are a couple of reasons why you should really like this year's version of the Bulldogs.
Jeremy Pargo is playing outstanding basketball. Pargo was selected as the Old Spice Classic MVP and has really benefited from his flirtation with the NBA this summer. Pargo is getting his teammates involved and is acting like a real point guard out on the court. You see guys tryout for the NBA and come back with a chip on their shoulder. Maybe trying to hard to work on their NBA skills instead of trying to win college basketball games. You don't get that impression from Pargo. He's playing even better.
Josh Heytvelt looks completely healthy and ready to go. He's averaing 15 points per game, and he's really good rebounding the basketball. He never looked like he fully recovered from his foot injury last year and he also had those lingering off-the-court troubles. Now he looks a lot more comfortable. He looks healthy. And man, this guy can shoot.
Plus, with Heytvelt, the Bulldogs are just so big. And more importantly, their big men play well. You don't see that a lot in college hoops.
So don't be afraid to get up after this huge win by the Bulldogs. This is the best team that Mark Few has ever had. This team is going to be good, just don't take them for granted.
Why New England Town Wants $286,000 Police 'Tank'
Congress Agrees On Payroll Tax Cut, Unemployment Extension
House Dems Walk Out Of Birth Control Hearing
Santorum Backer: 'In My Days, They Used Bayer Aspirin For Contraception'
Iran Offers To Talk
'Colbert Report' Abruptly Suspends Production For The Week
Chaos Inside Burning Barracks
WATCH: Fox News Host Makes Shocking Comment About Black Rep.
Pelosi Rips GOP Over Birth Control: I May Be "Moved To Explain Biology To My Colleagues"
Apple Lifts The Veil On Gorgeous New OS X
Rahm Vows To Push For Gay Marriage In Illinois
WATCH: CNN Contributor Compares Sarah Palin To Snooki
RECOVERING THE RECOVERY: A Good Sign For American Jobs
Local Fishers Deliver Invasive Potomac River Menace To Legendary Manhattan Eatery
Steel Beams Crash 40 Stories At WTC Construction Site
House Democrat Mocks Newt Gingrich For Birth Control Comments
The Most Expensive City In The World Is...
Payroll Tax Cut: A Win For Scott Brown
Deanna Fei: ASIAN MEN CAN JUMP
Amanda Knox Receives Book Deal
Walsh: Boehner Not Trying Hard Enough To Repeal Obamacare
Putin's First Ride Fail
How Jeremy Lin Proves Everything We Know About Investing Is Wrong
Jimmy Carter Casts Movement As 'Relatively Successful'
Actress In Controversial China Political Ad Apologizes
