Texas’s 3 point percentage this half feels unreal. Surprisingly they’re only at 46.7% and the Zags are at 71.% yet trail by 8 at the moment. 10 turnovers for the Zags the biggest contributor to the scoring disparity.

[33 - 38 Texas 2:51] Timme gets the Zags within 5, but they haven’t been playing great for a while.

Not loving the shot selection and turnovers I’ve had to watch so far, but Zags still lead by 1.

[17 - 17 Gonzaga 11:50] It’s finally on.

[10 - 5 Gonzaga 16:16] We’re going to be lucky to catch the last 10 minutes of the half. Sounds like Nolan Hickman already has a couple threes so that’s great to hear.

Ahh, yes another year passes and I had forgotten about ESPN’s woefully tight programming schedule and having to watch the end of mid-major football games I don’t care about until they finish.

🏀 Gonzaga at Texas

🏀No. 2 Gonzaga plays at the No. 11 Texas Longhorns at 6:30 PST on ESPN2 tonight. This is going to be a tough test for the Zags and I think they’ll need to see more consistency out of Bolton and Hickman to pull off the win.

Zags hold on to win 64-63 over the Spartans. Gritty second half win against a very hard-nosed opponent.

[33 - 45 16:46] Hickman struggling, Watson in foul trouble. Zags now trail by 12 and the guard leadership woes continue.

Definitely feel like there’s an absence of reliable GU guard leadership right now as MSU has pushed the lead up to 5.

[31 - 38] Michigan State leads by 7 at the half. 5 point swing because Hickman pulled up for a 3 a little too early, missed with about four seconds left and the Spartans were able to run out and get an easy layup at the buzzer.

It was fun to to hear the two service members jump in for a little commentary. They did fine, but it made me appreciate the job the pro announcers do.

I think I’ve seen three different long shots now that were completely to the side of the rim, but I don’t think it’s that windy.

Smith, Reid, and Sallis are the first three subs off the bench today, but GU’s offense stalls a bit before they pick up a couple free throws.

[11 - 10 13:36] A nice sequence of consecutive stops let the Zags take the lead, but the Spartans respond with stops of their own and immediately narrow the gap.

[GU 7 - 8 MSU 15:30] Close back and forth game so far on the USS Lincoln.

How a military background and a strong mother helped Gonzaga’s Malachi Smith reach the top flight of college basketball
I think Malachi Smith is probably the Zags’ sleeper transfer of the year. Coming out of Tennessee - Chattanooga he’s a little unknown, but you don’t get Southern Conference Player of the Year and Mid-Major POTY without being a high impact player. He’s been great off the bench already, but I expect him to grab one of the starting guard spots before too long.

Looking forward to the Michigan St game this afternoon mainly for the novelty factor of playing on an aircraft carrier (Mich. St. is a quality program, but I have no familiarity with their current squad). Looks like the conditions in San Diego are pretty favorable for an outdoor game so that’s good.

Woohoo’s Schedule of Destiny 2022-23 Edition

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Top international hoops prospect Alex Toohey picks Gonzaga

Playing up by three years at the Australian U20 State Championship last April, he was used as a primary ball handler leading the tournament in assists with 6.3 per game, while also emerging as one of the best rebounders at the event (8.6 per game).

Love seeing that combination of size and versatility in a player. Toohey should be able to step right in next year and have a major impact for Gonzaga!

Oops mistyped it was actually 104 - 63. Amusingly enough I had a fun Nostradadmus moment with my younger son when I predicted that North Florida would finish with 63 points at about 6 minutes left and then they did!

Better half for Hickman and I definitely saw some flashes of brilliance but I want to see him run the team against a higher quality opponent now. Zags win 104 - 64. Next up Michigan St. Friday afternoon on the flight deck of the USS Lincoln!

Heh, a North Florida player just nutmegged Drew Timme for a bounce pass assist! I have never seen that in a basketball game.🤣 Zags still dominating 71 - 34.

Sounds like Hickman picked up two quick fouls and sat most of the half. Really want to see what he can do in the second half.

Zags lead North Florida 53 - 23 at the half. Missed the tip for dinner and the game was effectively over by the time I started watching! Timme and Strawther dominated but no sign of Hickman.

Gonzaga opens the season with North Florida at 6pm tonight. So much talent on this year’s squad, but for the first time in roughly a decade no proven starting point guard. Nolan Hickman is the obvious candidate, but only averaged 12 minutes and 1.2 pts in his 5 post season appearances last year.