The Daily Gus: January 30th

The Saint Mary's Gaels had won 15 straight games before going to face the perennial WCC powerhouse Gonzaga in Spokane. Gonzaga has had a roller coaster season with two wins over Tennessee and Maryland and looking like a true national title contender but also dropping games to Portland State and resembling a WCC cellar dweller. Last night for the first half the Zags showed no signs of resurgence, giving up a 39-33 lead in the first half. But in the second half, Jeremy Pargo and Austin Daye ratcheted up the intensity after St. Mary's superstar Patty Mills went out with an ankle injury. Mills had 18 points in the first half and the Zags had no answer for him, proving that when healthy maybe St. mary's is the best team out west. Matt Bouldin led Zaga with 17 points, but it was a true team effort in the second half especially. Gonzaga had four players in double figures and took care of the ball, only surrendering seven turnovers while shooting 46%. Diamon Simpson had 17 points for the Gaels in all 40 minutes; he was a perfect 7-7 from the field. Gonzaga now has the lead in the West Coast by a game but still has to travel to St. Mary's where a healthy Patty Mills could spell trouble. Gonzaga has lost down there in consecutive seasons.

Shoot-Around
- Clemson overcame a 15-point second half deficit in Blacksburg to come back and beat Virginia Tech. A huge road win for the Tigers which they desperately needed after getting crushed in Chapel Hill last week. K.C. Rivers went off for 29 and seven triples leading an 18-0 run in the last ten minutes to win the game. Virginia Tech's Malcolm Delaney had a career high 37 points, but it was not enough in the losing effort. The Hokies really need more balanced scoring. If its not Delaney its Vassallo but rarely do both step up on the same night. The more balanced they can become they more dangerous Tech can be in the ACC.

- The hype started to develop for Washington and was quickly extinguished when they got beat 106-97 at Arizona. Arizona needed a win over a top Pac-10 team, and this was certainly it to get back on track. Washington now is in real trouble as they shuffle over to Tempe to face an Arizona State team that just got beat at home to Washington State. I maintain Arizona State is the best team in the Pac 10 but there is no excuse for shooting 37% from the field against arguably the worst team in the conference. Look for Zona State to rebound against Washington.

- How would you like to play a four overtime hundred point thriller? Utah Valley State guard Ryan Toolson obviously doesn't mind. Utah Valley State traveled to Chicago State for what was expected to be a regular run of the mill independent game and it turned into an epic. Toolson had 63 points on 20 of 21 from the free throw line as Utah Valley won 123-121. David Holston from Chicago State had 41 but it pailed in comparison to Toolson's performance. Toolson played all 60 minutes and hit seven threes and grabbed 12 rebounds. Gives Jodie Meeks a run for performance of the season thus far.