That was easily one of the best (if not the best) basketball games I've ever seen in person in my life. It's a moment I'll never forget.
Gonzaga freshman Demetri Goodson landed the game winning shot with less than one second to go in GU's second round game against Western Kentucky. The Bulldogs won, 83-81.
Western Kentucky put the Zags to the test early and stuck with them the entire time. You have to give them some serious credit for never giving in. GU led by nine points (81-72) with only a couple of minutes to play, but the Hilltoppers snapped off a 9-0 run (including a tip-in by Steffphon Pettigrew with seven seconds to play). That's when Goodson (aka "Meech") went the length of the floor for the win.
Meech is the youngest player on the Bulldogs roster (I didn't do my own research on that...Austin Daye pointed that out to me). He didn't make much noise during the regular season, but tonight he is a celebrity. He told me after the game that he wanted "to cry after the game." He also said he dreamed of leaving a legacy at Gonzaga. He definitely did that...people will talk about that shot for years and years.
I personally was wondering what he was doing with the ball with the game on the line, but that shows why I am not a coach. There is the rule in the media area that you can't cheer, but Meech's bucket literally got me out of my seat (I had to remind myself of the rule and quickly sat down).
Brett Allbery, my photographer and a GU grad, wore his lucky socks to the game (they are these ugly red and blue knee-highs with Bulldogs written on them). He wants to take credit for the victory...I think the players should get the credit personally.
Several players stood out tonight. Jeremy Pargo played a great game. Matt Bouldin was spectacular, registering 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. It was a great team effort.
Western Kentucky's Orlando Mendez-Valdez should also get some props. He was lights out in the first half, making five three-pointers before the break. He had 17 points at the intermission (at one point he was single-handedly beating GU...his 17 points to the Zags 16) and 25 points in end. He was knocking down three-pointers that no human being should make.
I will also give a shout out to the Hilltoppers mascot. I think his name is "Big Red." Just like his name says...it is just a big red blob (but people love it). Everyone wanted to get a picture with it.
As much as I liked the mascot...if I have to hear the Western Kentucky fight song again I will probably rip my ears off. That or: T-O-P-S...Tops, Tops, Tops...Whoo! TV timeouts are much longer during the NCAA Tournament, so you have to hear songs and chants too many times.
The Zags locker room was exciting. The media isn't allowed in there until ten minutes after the game, so we didn't see the original celebration, but we did see plenty of hugs still. I had to joke with Ira Brown and Steven Gray because they couldn't get the smile off their faces. It was also funny to hear them tell their stories (all of the players...not just Brown and Gray) of the final seconds of the game. Jeremy Pargo was the best. He was yelling at Demetri to give him the ball, but obviously he didn't. After the game Demetri told Jeremy he heard him yelling. Micah Downs pointed out that the team always practices end of game situations and Meech is as good as anyone to have the ball in the clutch...he's just so fast. As for Demetri...he had a look of disbelief on his face. He said it will all sink in when he gets back to Spokane (which they did tonight).
Next up for Gonzaga is the Sweet 16 in Memphis. The Bulldogs will play the No. 1 seed North Carolina on Friday. All of the players I talked to tonight said they want to celebrate tonight before they think too much about the Tar Heels. They all agreed that they are up to the challenge.
That's all I have for you from Portland. We drive home tomorrow. What a great week...capped off by an amazing game! I'm excited to see how everything shakes out next week.
Go Zags!
"It's deja vu all over again." Thanks Yogi. For about 39min. I thought I was having a Davidson flashback. Mendez-Valdez and Slaughter of WKU were simply ridiculous; so clutch. I only feel bad that there's any room for discussion with the no call on the time out.
It is also funny how my alma mater played NC in the Sweet 16 exactly a year ago. I hate to admit that I'm a wee bit more optimistic about the Zags advancing to the Elite Eight over NC this time around. Just play to your potential and you'll be fine.
P.S.-Someone please tell Austin to man up about the fouls already and quit looking like a third grader in time out during recess. We love you but you are going to get a technical.
What a game!!!!After years of being the favorite in the match up, finally the Zags will be the underdog against UNC with no preasure. That is when the ZAGS play best. I can not wait go zags!!!!!!