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Gonzaga always plays a rigorous non-conference schedule, and the 2006/07 season figures to be no different. Today GU Nation takes an early look at three non-league teams the Zags will be facing this upcoming season: Texas, Virginia and Duke. In a few weeks, we will take a look at three more teams.
THE TEXAS LONGHORNS
2005/06 Record: 30-7
Key Losses: F – PJ Tucker (16.1 PPG, 9.5 RPG); C – Lamarcus Aldridge (15 PPG; 9.2 RPG); G – Daniel Gibson (13.4 PPG, 3.1 APG, 38% 3PT); G – Kenton Paulino (9.8 PPG, 40% 3PT); F – Brad Buckman (9.5 PPG, 7.0 RPG); F – Mike Williams (2.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG)
Key Returning Players: A.J. Abrams (21.2 MPG, 6.4 PPG, 3.0 APG, 39% 3PT); F/C – Connor Atchley (7.7 MPG, 2.3 PPG, 1.4 RPG); G – J.D. Lewis (6.3 MPG, 2.1 PPG, 37% 3PT)
What’s Coming In: G/F – Kevin Durant (6-9, Ranking: #2 scout.com); F – Damian James (6-7, Ranking: #19 scout.com); G – D.J. Augustin (5-11, Ranking: #29 scout.com); F – Matt Hill (6-9, Ranking: #80 scout.com); C - Dexter Pittman (6-10; Ranking: #86 scout.com); G – Justin Mason (6-3, 4 star scout.com); Harrison Smith (6-3, 4 star scout.com)
Summary: Simply put, Texas lost its starting five. Three of their starters – Aldridge, Tucker and Gibson - were selected in the recent NBA draft. The other two guys – Buckman and Paulino - were highly productive, experienced college basketball players. The loss of Williams to transfer robbed the Horns of a potential starter with experience in 06/07. That is a lot to replace, but when you are the recruiting machine that Texas has become, it’s easy to replace guys. Texas’ tremendous 2006 class is of course headed by Durant, who would’ve been a high lottery pick had the NBA age limit not been put in place. Durant is a tall, athletic wing with a superb outside shooting stroke. James, who de-committed from Oklahoma and landed at Texas, is a talented scorer when attacking the basket. Augustin is probably the purest point guard that head coach Rick Barnes has landed since T.J. Ford. All of the other players have talent. The problem for the Horns is that they have so little returning. Their best returning player by a good distance is Abrams, who is a lethal outside shooter and ballhandler. But with this kind of talent, it isn’t going to take long for Texas to start winning once they attain experience. Working in Gonzaga's favor will be the early date of the game (Dec. 2), a neutral court in Phoenix, and Texas football will be going strong, reducing the following of Horn fans for hoops.
THE VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
2005/06 Record: 15-15
Key Losses: G – Billy Campbell (8.1 MPG, 1.3 PPG, 35% 3PT)
Key Returning Players: G – Sean Singletary (33.9 MPG, 17.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 4.2 APG, 35% 3PT); G – J.R. Reynolds (33.2 MPG, 17.0 PPG, 31. APG, 35% 3PT); F – Adrian Joseph (28.6 MPG, 9.4 PPG, 4.5 RPG); F – Jason Cain (26.4 MPG, 7.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG); F - Laurynas Mikalauskas (23.6 MPG, 6.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG); G/F – Mamadi Diane (22.3 MPG, 6.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG); C – Tunji Soroye (18.4 MPG, 1.8 PPG, 3.5 RPG); G – T.J. Bannister (13.0 MPG, 2.1 PPG, 2.3 APG)
What’s Coming In: F – Jamil Tucker (6-9, Ranking: #67 scout.com); F/G – Will Harris (6-6, 3 star scout.com)
Summary: Virginia is about as opposite from Texas as you can get from an experience standpoint. All key figures from last year’s team return. Youth played a large part in UVA’s woes last season, as did adjusting to new head coach Dave Leitao. However, UVA eventually was able to secure a postseason NIT bid. The Cavaliers return with one of the finest backcourt combos in the ACC in Singletary and Reynolds. No Zag fan will ever forget Singletary, who lit up the Zags for 35 points in the Kennel. UVA was a good rebounding team last season, and their two best rebounders, Cain and Mikalauskas, return to the fold. Diane and Joseph are highly versatile wing types. Tucker is the first big recruit Leitao has landed since taking over. He is a talented scorer from all over the floor. Count on the Cavaliers returning to the NCAA tournament this season. This game will be played in the Hoos' brand new John Paul Jones Arena and is guaranteed to be a hostile atmosphere.
THE DUKE BLUE DEVILS
2005/06 Record: 32-4
Key Losses: G – J.J. Redick (26.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 42% 3PT); F/C – Shelden Williams (18.8 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 3.8 BPG); G – Sean Dockery (7.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.6 APG); F – Lee Melchionni (5.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 32% 3PT)
Key Returning Players: F – Josh McRoberts (24.5 MPG, 8.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 61% FG); G – Greg Paulus (32.3 MPG, 6.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.2 APG, 31% 3PT); G/F – Demarcus Nelson (21.5 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 41% 3PT); G/F - Martynas Pocius (6.1 MPG, 1.5 PPG)
What’s Coming In: F – Gerald Henderson (6-5, Ranking: #15 scout.com); F – Lance Thomas (6-9, Ranking: #18 scout.com); G – Jon Scheyer (6-5, Ranking: #20 scout.com); C – Brian Zoubek (7-1, Ranking: #38 scout.com)
Summary: Although Duke had key role players surrounding Redick and Williams, the situation that Coach K’s crew is facing next season is very similar to what Gonzaga is facing with the losses of J.P. Batista and Adam Morrison. Redick and Williams combined for nearly 46 PPG. Both were seniors and team leaders. However, as is always the case with Duke, the players keep coming. Paulus figures to really come into his own as a floor general with one year of D-1 experience under his belt. He possesses leadership qualities reminiscent of Duke great Bobby Hurley, and has good floor vision. Nelson is a dynamic scorer, and an emerging defensive force on the perimeter. McRoberts was the best prep player in the 2005 class to go to college, and with the Landlord gone to the NBA, he figures to be the center of Duke’s offense. He’s highly skilled and possesses a high basketball IQ. The recruiting class features two tremendous shooters in Henderson and Scheyer who figure to make up for some of Redick’s lost shooting skills on the perimeter. Thomas was a late pickup who can play both forward positions, and who has a knack for attacking the hoop and getting to the line. Zoubek is a fundamentally sound big man with good footwork. Like all great programs, Duke doesn’t rebuild after they lose great players - they just retool. This game will be showcased in Madison Square Garden, which is just up the road from Durham, NC, and is like a second home for Duke. Expect a very pro-Duke crowd.