Gonzaga’s turnovers, rebounding and inability to guard the three pointer were the team’s downfalls against a very good Nevada team that has the potential to make a solid NCAA Tournament run. The Zags gave up 10 three pointers and were out rebounded by 5, while also committing 19 turnovers, and these three factors were simply too much for the team to overcome against a quality opponent, despite shooting almost 50 percent. In the last three games, all Gonzaga losses, the Zags have struggled to put together a complete game and it has cost them. Against Georgia and Nevada, Gonzaga had way too many turnovers and lost the rebounding battle, while against Duke it was the team’s lack of ability to make shots that cost them the game. Most teams, especially a team as talented as Gonzaga, can overcome a major weakness or two, but when the area of concern is not consistent, or turns into 3 or 4 struggles, it is hard to overcome. Hopefully the Bulldogs can pull together to shore up their defense and rebounding, as it was earlier in the year, and also cut their turnovers down to about 13 a game, a very realistic goal for a team with as many ball handlers as this club and get back on the winning track.

Gonzaga once again does not have much time to prepare themselves before heading to Virginia to take on a good Cavaliers team in a hostile ACC gym. Virginia boasts one of the best backcourts in the country, in fact the leading returning scoring guard combo in the nation, which will present a huge challenge for the entire Zags team on the defensive end. The UVA backcourt combined with yet another cross-country flight and difficult road environment will make this game just another very difficult challenge in what has already been the most difficult preseason in Bulldog history.

Another unfortunate point from the Battle In Seattle was that transfer Micah Downs was unable to make his debut in a Bulldog uniform as was once anticipated for the game. Downs size, athleticism and skill set should provide this team with a key component they are currently lacking, and hopefully after an adjustment period Micah can become a major factor on this year’s team and push them into being an elite club at the national level.

By no means is time to sound the alarms or consider this year’s team a disappointment. Gonzaga has lost three in a row for the first time in 6 years, but they were all to NCAA Tournament teams and all in games away from Spokane. The Bulldogs simply need to figure out a few things, get consistent efforts each night from the key players, and they will be back to their winning ways. It would be ideal if this all happened against Virginia later this week, but it is crucial this happens before next weekend’s showdown with WCC title contender LMU.