Saturday, March 19, 2005
Size gives towering Gonzaga edge
Handicapper likes Bulldogs to cover 3-point spread vs. Texas Tech
By MATT YOUMANS
REVIEW-JOURNAL
A messy mop of black hair and awkward moves are Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison's most obvious traits. But don't be fooled by his first impression, because Morrison is one of the most talented players in the NCAA Tournament.
The 6-foot-8-inch sophomore's game reminds some people of Larry Bird. It's a comparison also made by handicapper Ted Sevransky.
Ironically, the small-school Bulldogs -- with 6-10 Ronny Turiaf and 6-9 J.P. Batista -- are bigger than most teams in the tournament.
Sevransky likes Gonzaga to cover as a 3-point favorite over Texas Tech in today's second round at Tucson, Ariz., citing its size advantage.
"Turiaf and Batista are tough in the paint, and with Morrison's inside-outside game, it sets up a lot of matchup problems for the Red Raiders," Sevransky said.
"This 'Zags team can play, and they match up extremely well. Texas Tech lives and dies with its backcourt and is not strong defensively in the low post."
Texas Tech coach Bob Knight relies heavily on guard Ronald Ross, who scored 28 points in a 78-66 first-round victory over UCLA.
Morrison scored 27 points and Batista and Turiaf combined for another 27 in Gonzaga's 74-64 first-round victory over Winthrop.
The Bulldogs have been giant-killers in recent years, and although they are in the favorite's role this season, they might not be getting the respect they have earned.
Sevransky (whocovers.com) analyzes his pick for the other game today in Tucson:
• UTAH (+5) OVER OKLAHOMA: The Sooners will try to be physical with Utes 7-footer Andrew Bogut down low, but that strategy really hasn't worked this season. Bogut is a great passer, but his teammates didn't really bring their `A' game in a 60-54 first-round victory over Texas-El Paso. Utah has got a better game in them than that. I'm not convinced Oklahoma is as good as people think.
Taj Gray and Kevin Bookout make a nice combination inside, but guard Drew Lavender is a streaky shooter who is under 40 percent for the season. I don't see the Sooners as an elite team. If you're laying points and you're not laying them with an elite team, you're going to have trouble.
