Zags Men's Hoops | Youthful Zags 'doing quite well'

When the 2009-10 college basketball season began, Gonzaga's string of 11 straight NCAA tournament appearances looked vulnerable. The Zags had lost four of their top five scorers from last season, and had 10 freshmen or sophomores expected to contribute.

Four weeks in, though, Gonzaga appears on track to sustain that long streak. Today, fans can judge for themselves at KeyArena in the seventh annual Battle in Seattle at 4 p.m. as the Zags (7-2) entertain Davidson (2-6), otherwise known as the school that spawned Stephen Curry, who isn't there anymore. A crowd of about 12,000 is expected.

"For the schedule we've played, I think these guys have done a remarkable job," says GU coach Mark Few. "They really have. It's just been big game, big game, big game. It's not easy, especially for a team this young and inexperienced.

"They're doing quite well, but there's obviously so much more we need to get better at."

Davidson coach Bob McKillop, one of the best tacticians in the game, no doubt can relate. Two of his three top scorers, 6-10 Jake Cohen and 6-3 J.P. Kuhlman, are freshmen.

Gonzaga is 7-2, with victories over two teams that were ranked this week, Cincinnati and Wisconsin. Before the calendar year ends, the Zags meet Duke at Madison Square Garden next Saturday and host Oklahoma on New Year's Eve.

Among developments to date:

• Matt Bouldin's ascent (return) — The senior guard has played at an All-American level, leading with 16.8 points a game, shooting 41 percent on threes and 86 percent on free throws.

• Rebounding up, assists down — Gonzaga's rebounding margin is up slightly over last season, at plus-4.2, but its assist-turnover ratio is surprisingly low at 0.89, compared to 1.33 a year ago. Guard Demetri Goodson has 11 assists and 12 turnovers.

• Kong emerges — After a long bout with a sprained ankle took him out of much of fall practice, Sudanese guard Bol Kong has made 8 of 13 threes with increased playing time.

"We've just been trying to get his intensity and the pace of his game up to speed," said Few.

• Gray back to earth — Bainbridge product Steven Gray was co-MVP of the Maui Invitational with Bouldin, then had only three baskets combined in the WSU and Wake Forest games, albeit while taking on some stiff defensive assignments. After shooting .463 on threes as a freshman, he has followed with .359 last year and is currently .366.

• Sacre struggling lately — After a fast start, 7-foot sophomore center Robert Sacre has averaged seven points and five rebounds in his last three games. Still, his size and demeanor have helped transform what was a perimeter-oriented team last season.