I want to know what you guys think about this game. I have a few issues to write about that I want to hear opinions on...I know a good amount about Gonzaga b/c I've seen them play a lot b/c I attend USD (a WCC school). And I need someone that knows a lot about UCLA to compliment me...
First: Adam Morrison
Overrated...overrated...overrated. Yes I keep hearing all of it too. And yes, I do believe that his skills aren't near what they Dicky V and the rest of the public believes they are...and I don't think he'll be nearly as good as everyone thinks in the pro's. BUT, I've seen him play in college, and his skills @ the college level are pretty damn good, and that's what matters right now. He has the skills to put up 30+ and he serves as a huge emotional boost for Gonzaga fans and players if he gets pumped up/"crazy". He can create pretty well, and has a shot that if he gots hot with, is pretty money. What I don't know is whether or not UCLA has a very good defender. I know when he matched up against Corey Belser (USD - Collegeinsider Defender of the Year) he was shut down, and held below 20 points twice I believe. I want to know if anyone knows a lot about UCLA's D. Do they have a guy that can stop him?
Second: Post Game
J.P. Batista is one of the most underrated players in the tourny, and possibly the nation in my opinion. The guy is a HOUSE - listed @ 6'9'', 269 but I've seen him person and myself, along w/ all my friends say he is around 280. He is HUGE, and is one hell of a force downlow. My question is does UCLA have a man to match up against him? I watched them against Alabama and I saw NO post game for UCLA, or any defense against it. UCLA doesn't have a guy above 240 except for Senior Michael Fay who avg's 6.6 minutes per game. These are UCLA's "big men" that avg. over 20mpg.
Ryan Hollins
7'0 - 225 Senior - 20.9mpg - 6.5 ppg - 4.4 rpg
&
Mbah a Moute
6'7 - 215 Fresh. - 29.4mpg - 9.0 ppg - 8.1 rpg
This is their leading rebounder
Whereas Gonzaga has
J.P. Batista
6'9 - 269 Senior - 32.6mpg - 19.3 ppg - 9.4 rpg
I just don't see UCLA being able to contain Batista. Batista faced a similar sized man w/ USD's Nick Lewis @ 6'10 235. Granted UCLA's men are probably a bit more skilled than Lewis, but don't underestimate Nick Lewis. He is a good player and Batista just man-handled him having a 21 & 13 game, going to the line 14 times. I can keep going on but this is getting REALLY LONG.
I know everyone thinks Zags are America's team, and that public & ESPN favors them, and the UCLA is a 2 seed out of the Pac-10, and Gonzaga is just out of the WCC. I believed from the start that Gonzaga was overrated coming into the tourny and I've seen them play a lot. But I just don't know if UCLA can contain Batista and the rest of the supporting cast. What do you guys think? I am tempted to put money on Gonzaga but I want to hear some more about UCLA first.
First: Adam Morrison
Overrated...overrated...overrated. Yes I keep hearing all of it too. And yes, I do believe that his skills aren't near what they Dicky V and the rest of the public believes they are...and I don't think he'll be nearly as good as everyone thinks in the pro's. BUT, I've seen him play in college, and his skills @ the college level are pretty damn good, and that's what matters right now. He has the skills to put up 30+ and he serves as a huge emotional boost for Gonzaga fans and players if he gets pumped up/"crazy". He can create pretty well, and has a shot that if he gots hot with, is pretty money. What I don't know is whether or not UCLA has a very good defender. I know when he matched up against Corey Belser (USD - Collegeinsider Defender of the Year) he was shut down, and held below 20 points twice I believe. I want to know if anyone knows a lot about UCLA's D. Do they have a guy that can stop him?
Second: Post Game
J.P. Batista is one of the most underrated players in the tourny, and possibly the nation in my opinion. The guy is a HOUSE - listed @ 6'9'', 269 but I've seen him person and myself, along w/ all my friends say he is around 280. He is HUGE, and is one hell of a force downlow. My question is does UCLA have a man to match up against him? I watched them against Alabama and I saw NO post game for UCLA, or any defense against it. UCLA doesn't have a guy above 240 except for Senior Michael Fay who avg's 6.6 minutes per game. These are UCLA's "big men" that avg. over 20mpg.
Ryan Hollins
7'0 - 225 Senior - 20.9mpg - 6.5 ppg - 4.4 rpg
&
Mbah a Moute
6'7 - 215 Fresh. - 29.4mpg - 9.0 ppg - 8.1 rpg
This is their leading rebounder
Whereas Gonzaga has
J.P. Batista
6'9 - 269 Senior - 32.6mpg - 19.3 ppg - 9.4 rpg
I just don't see UCLA being able to contain Batista. Batista faced a similar sized man w/ USD's Nick Lewis @ 6'10 235. Granted UCLA's men are probably a bit more skilled than Lewis, but don't underestimate Nick Lewis. He is a good player and Batista just man-handled him having a 21 & 13 game, going to the line 14 times. I can keep going on but this is getting REALLY LONG.
I know everyone thinks Zags are America's team, and that public & ESPN favors them, and the UCLA is a 2 seed out of the Pac-10, and Gonzaga is just out of the WCC. I believed from the start that Gonzaga was overrated coming into the tourny and I've seen them play a lot. But I just don't know if UCLA can contain Batista and the rest of the supporting cast. What do you guys think? I am tempted to put money on Gonzaga but I want to hear some more about UCLA first.
