Hello World: I’m Austin Daye
One is loathe to draw too many conclusions from inferior opposition, but as I watch Gonzaga’s Austin Daye eat up the Montana State Yellowjackets…I see the future. Believe the hype. This kid can score on anyone.
ESPN.com
Comparisons have been made to Adam Morrison, which I can see – they’re both lanky shooters who my friends seem to hate. This is a fair for a number of reasons:
- Shooting: In the collegiate game, no one showed the ability to bother the shots of Daye or Morrison. In essence, every shot was an open one.
- Shooting Percentage: Both have insanely high shooting percentages. Morrison shot 50% from the field in his senior season while Daye gets his at the line (88% last season).
However, I think Daye surpasses the ‘Stache in one key area: defense.
Most of defense is willingness, and I’ve seen a defensive desire out of Daye that was missing last year. Just in this game, Daye had double-digit rebounds early in the second half and his on-the-ball defense appears markedly approved. A man his height and body-type is always going to have trouble with lateral movement and he appears to be no different.
However, in Gonzaga’s system he’s allowed to defend the opponent’s small forward or shooting guard, whoever’s worse. (Let’s not get it twisted – he still has work to do.)
In the Derek Raivio years, the Achilles’ heel was perimeter defense – never was that more clear than in the Davidson game. You couldn’t have drawn a worse matchup for the Zags – Stephen Curry exposed that weak point with ferocity.
But the coaching staff has placed extra emphasis since last season on defense, and there are several reasons for optimism besides Daye’s improved D. Newcomer Demetri “Martin” Goodson ballhawks like a young Lindsey Hunter, while Josh Heytvelt, and I cannot state this strongly enough, looks like the player he was sophomore year (pre-shrooms).
Last season Heytvelt **Andrew Sorenson for 3…BANG!** never really recovered from the broken foot last season. His explosiveness is back – he tetherballed a Yellowjacket shot a few seconds ago – makes the intereior defense that much stronger. **SORENSEN AGAIN! BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!**
That gives the outside guys confidence to tighten up outside and force some turnovers, which is exactly what they are doing while pulling away from MSU.
Again, this is only Montana State. But as the final whistle blows, one can’t help but feel confident about the #10 Zags. Kiss the women and children: Zags win 83-52. Let’s see the Dawgs top that against Portland.
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Actually it was Montana State- Billings. They are a D-II program.
Actually it was Montana State- Billings. They are a D-II program not to be confused with the Montana State Bobcats in Bozeman (home of the fighting Craig Kilborns).
Portland Pilots.
To finish your thought: Portland Pilots beat Gonzaga last year.
Yeah, its unfortunate that the “who’s better” dick wagging has been reduced to speculation. Gosh, I wonder why the Huskies refuse to play Gonzaga?
It’s a total bitch move by Washington to duck Gonzaga. I won’t deny that. I hope that rivalry will get back to being a yearly thing soon.
We can talk rivalry when you guys get a football program….
oops.
I kind of like UW’s stance on the game against Gonzaga. We played in it until GU got mouthy and started winning more than losing… then we stopped. The joke is, we can get that game back whenever we want because Gonzaga will always need to schedule better opponents.
UW on the other hand, shouldn’t play in that series again until there’s something in it for them… like a win. Not going to be this year. In the meantime, no need to boost a in state rival’s profile.
I had no idea there were two (or potentially more) Montana States. My bad.
Stephen Curry’s line from Davidson’s win over James Madison tonight: 33 points on 14-19 shooting with nine assists and four steals.
All in only 31 minutes of play. Sick.
Actually we needed to free up the Gonzaga slot so that we can begin to schedule Seattle U again. The Zags have had their 15 minutes.
Reading this made me angry. I mean, why doesn’t Manny just start writing about Mercer Island hoops? At least he went there. Then I read the quote, “Let’s see the Dawgs top that against Portland,” and wanted to punch Hot Dog in the face. Then I read two comments that we posted by an imposter under my name, and have decided to since direct my violent aggression toward that person. Not a wise move imposter. Not a wise move at all.