St. Mary's Gaels +7 (Sat.)

[JCoverS]

Hammering this one. I feel like I have already said enough about this game in prior posts. After last night's long drawn out post with extensive analysis on how USF Dons would cover, only to see the play go down in flames, I am reluctant to put too much into this one. Bottomline: This St. Mary's team is very good, they have athletes, play tough defense, rebound well, have the height to matchup with the Bulldogs at every position, have a roster full of potent shooters and a budding star in Paul Marigney. Sure, Gonzaga is complete as it gets, but I just don't think it is as easy to run the table in the WCC as some might have you think. Historically, Gonzaga has been dominant in conference, but never (?) at the least, very rarely go undefeated. Suffice it to say, if Gonzaga is to lose a game this year in conference this is the team, and this is the game. I have had it circled for sometime now, eagerly waiting for the line to come out. The Bulldogs could clinch the conference title with a victory here, but for some reason I think they will have to wait at least another game. Will be waiting to also place a little on the St. Mary's ML. A Valentine's Day heartbreaker for the Zags!


Good Luck to All,

-JC

 

[johnnyb.]

picking the zags as your go-against team is a tough proposition... should be a good guage for st. mary's to see where they are against leagues' best. good luck

 

[JCoverS]

Yeah, I know, johnnyb. These Zags are very good. I tend to spend the games going against them, on edge and just hoping they don't go on that game-breaking run. Maybe I should have learned my lesson last night, but this is the one I really have been waiting on. Like I said in my earlier thread, I thought Gonzaga would lose at least 1 out of 2 on this road stretch (@USF and @St. Mary's), I still stand by that statement. I promise that I won't be looking to go against them anymore after this game. From here on out it is back them or pass, especially come NCAA Tourney time. However, this is the spot I have been waiting for.

Good Luck to All,

-JC

 

[lenniethelock]

this is also a big game for me, as i said i had them when they covered at gonzaga.think this line looks good.gl man lennie d

 

[JCoverS]

In case anyone is interested, I just added a 1/4 of my total amount wagered on this game on the St. Mary's ML at +230.


Good Luck to All,

-JC

 

[JCoverS]

Another first half clinic by the Zags....I am learning my lesson the hard way. St. Mary's can't hit the broad side of a barn. Looks like two shitter plays in a row for me, barring a miraculous second half comeback by the Gaels. Oh well....

-JC:shrug:

 

[JCoverS]

Yep, it's official now....Mary's actually made a nice run to get within a few points, but just couldn't sustain it. Sorry again, fellas.

Updated Record-NCAAB Posts YTD: 7-5

 

[johnnyb.]

clearly st. mary's is better than rest of wcc but nowhere near national class of gonzaga. they need more seasoning that zags already have. you can't let best team in league come in to your gym and run their offense freely (+50% shooting for zags).

 

[JCoverS]

Bumping up my post from last year. You've heard of a day late and a dollar short.....well, I officially fit the new term of a YEAR EARLY and LOTS of dollars short, because of it.

I should have known when this line came out a full 8 points shorter than last year's matchup in Moraga that the Gaels were the play here. Not to mention the fact that Gonzaga is a ridiculous 52-4 over the last 4 years in WCC play and this line comes out at PK?? Hmmm....what was I thinking passing this game?

Well, for one, a few of my most respected MadJack cappers were lining up on the Gonzaga side. But that sure wasn't the only thing. I admit that I still had that lingering memory of playing this very matchup X-Large last year, only to be forced to reckon with the undeniable 'Zaga WCC dominance.

So, despite my gut feeling that this could be the night of 'Gael revenge', I just couldn't pull the trigger. Story of my life, I tell ya!

Regardless, mucho kudos go out to the SMC Gaels tonight. I know that Coach Bennett and his boys have been working their asses off for this very day. With each passing day they have inched closer and closer to the level of the Bulldog dynasty. Finally, tonight the first part of their goal came to fruiton. Now all they need to do is avoid the letdown, continue to have focused efforts against all WCC foes and who knows, 2005 might indeed be the year of the Gaels? Sure this is only ONE win over the mighty Gonzos, but hell, it is an absolutely enormous one for this SMC basketball program!

16 threes?? :scared OMG.....Marigney and Co. were certainly guided by a higher power tonight! At the same time, though, that is pretty poor D by Gonzaga. You can't allow 16 treys in one game and even think about calling yourselves a good defense. Coach Few just hasn't been able to get these guys to defend like other Gonzo teams. And that might just be their demise this year.

We shall see what happens, but regardless I really feel that the WCC race might be very, very interesting this year. Top to bottom, this has got to be the best WCC ever. I just don't see Gonzaga waltzing through as the inevitable champion this year. The WCC's fine showing in non-conference schedules this year was not a fluke and I truly hope that more than one team will get to represent the conference in this year's NCAA tourney. IMO, it would be deserved and any top-tier WCC opponent would be a dangerous one for some of the top seeds.

Kudos, once again, to the Gaels. It has gotta be rockin' in Moraga, CA tonight!

-JC