Writers Picks: Random Oddities

WCC has 5 of 9 votes (not A-10)

I did not go to school in the West, but, in fact, in the East in Boston. AS such, I grew up on a steady diet of watching Big East Coaches like (Dom Perno, and then, Jim Calhoun @ UConn), (Louie Carnicecia @ St John's),and (John Thompson @ Georgetown), along with the occasional (Rick Pitino @ Providence) and (Rollie Massimino @ Villanova), and (PJ Carlisimo, @ Seton Hall), and (Jim Behiem @ Syracuse.) All of them ..."Excellent Coaches", who had identifiable "systems" of playing the game.

I have now been out West for 15 years, and have seen a lot of West Coast Basketball. There is NO DOUBT about it, that the "Team" the year in-year out, plays with the most consistency, and more importantly, is "Consistent" in playing better, throughout the year, is GONZAGA. Coach Mark Few's teams, have taken "average" talent, and gotten it better. His POST players...learn to score in the Post, and Pass from the Post. His two guards, are consistently outstanding, and his point guards, are "tough", and "run the offense" in the toughest arenas. Look as his record!...It is insane, that he is able to beat both, his conference rivals, and consistently beat top programs (Always on the road).

I hope he stays at GONZAGA the way, as Coach, Bob Knight did at Indiana. Eventually, the "close" tournement games, will break his way...and I am sure he will win his NCAA Title. Just like UCONN had to "knock on the door" for many years, before breaking through...GONZAGA has paid it's dues.

The question of a good coach, is do you win the games you are supposed to. Gonzaga wins them all. The question of the "great" coach, is are you able to do it...year after year, with different talent, and develope that talent to fit your "system". Gonzaga does it.
How many coaches would "throw off the team" an MVP player, because of bad actions? (NOT UCONN---who "suspended" it's stars who robbed the girls baskeball players of their Laptops...but, did not make them miss any meaningfull games.) But, Coach Few, was willing to let the the team suffer the loss of their "star", to keep his principles.

Is there really (1) "Major" Team in America, that would willingly "play" Gonzaga in a game on their schedule? (Answer--"No")
When you reach the level, where major teams "hide" from you...(Yes, that means "you" Washington Huskies)...then, you know you have a coach who has built a "program"..not just a couple of good teams.

The next phase of that process, is when your assistants start getting coaching jobs, and they have success. And that is already happening with Gonzaga. Congrats Coach Few! You did it the "right" way.

I hope Gonzaga fans, and you, will eventually get the NCAA title, because, "Good Guys Should Be Able To Finish 1st".