Gonzaga is a legitimate top ten team. After digging themselves an early hole (as big as a 16-point deficit), the Cougars tied the game at halftime and had as much as a 6-point lead early in the 2nd half. Then Pangos, and to a lesser degree, Bell started asserting themselves, and the game was over.

The Zags have an outstanding PG in Pangos, plus a very good complementary guard in Bell. Both are very experienced seniors. In addition, they've got some very skilled big men in Sabonis (6' 10''), Karnowski (7 ' 11''), and Wiltjer (6'10"). Sabonis is only a freshman, but the others are both redshirt juniors so they're very experienced. In addiiton, they've got some very good reserves (Wesley, Dranginis, and a couple of others) who are very good role players. Gonazaga plays good defense, and when they consistently get good shots due to the playmaking of Pangos.

With BYU's well-documented deficiencies inside, this game should not have been close. Nate Austin was out due to injury. Worthington is big and tries hard, but is not an offensive threat, and struggles to defend skilled big men. Kaufusi, is athletic and has a big upside, but is very raw at this level. Same with Neilson. BYU was at a huge (no pun intended) disadvantage inside.

BYU does have an experienced bunch of guards with Haws, Collinsworth, Winder, and Fischer, but against the Zags, they were forcing some shots and others weren't falling at a normal rate.

And yet, despite the deck being stacked against them, BYU made a legitimate game of it. The outcome was still in doubt with a couple of minutes left. Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised. It will be fun watching what this BYU is able to accomplish this year, especially as some of their big men get more experience.