Zags Sights Set On #1 Memphis
MEMPHIS — Gonzaga takes a break from West Coast Conference play to take on the #1 team in the country. They tip off against top-ranked Memphis on ESPN at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.
GU enters the contest riding a six game winning streak and playing probably their best basketball of the season.
Perhaps most importantly, the Bulldogs are healthy and starting to click as a team. Josh Heytvelt, Matt Bouldin, Steven Gray and Jeremy Pargo have all battled injury problems of one degree or another, but all appear to be playing at full strength for the last few games.
They’ll need all the help they can get Saturday against a very, very good Memphis Tigers squad playing on their home court.
Fans are likely to be particularly amped up for this contest, as it’s the first time in school history that Memphis has been ranked #1. Along with Kansas, they’re one of the last two unbeaten teams in the country.
The Tigers boast arguably the best backcourt in the nation. Junior Chris Douglas-Roberts and freshman Derrick Rose average a combined 30 points a game, leading a high-powered offense that’s putting up better than 80 points every outing.
Gonzaga coach Mark Few realizes how difficult a challenge lies ahead of his squad with Saturday’s contest.
“We have to play just about perfect down there to win,” he said shortly aft er the Bulldogs beat San Fransisco 72 to 64 on Tuesday.
The game will be carried nationally on ESPN, with coverage starting at 9 a.m. and tipoff coming a few minutes later.
