Gonzaga Bulldogs / YouTube
Even before Gonzaga’s 86-69 BYU router gave a tip on Thursday night, ESPN’s Sean Farnham was disappointed.
No, not by the high-ranking Zags and their offense of beating all cylinders. That was exactly what the analyst and his play-by-play partner Dave Flemming expected.
His disappointment, which was expressed on Twitter that afternoon, was that the Davenport Hotel didn’t have their favorite prawn flatbread the menu.
As for the game, there was little disappointment with anything – except perhaps the lack of competition.
• Farnham has been Davenport’s biggest national booster for years. He’s also one of ESPN’s most traditional color analysts – and a longtime Gonzaga attorney. The former UCLA player said last week he believes the Zags (11-0, 2-0 in the West Coast Conference game) will become the first team since Indiana in 1976 to end an NCAA title season undefeated .
Gonzaga scored the first eight points. Built a 16-2 lead. Stretched it to 23-2. The WCC showdown was over.
« I can’t remember 4 minutes of hoops being more spectacular than the 4 minutes we just saw from the Zags, » Flemming said after the first media timeout.
• As the Zags rolled and built a 32-point lead, Farnham made another statement about Gonzaga’s place in this year’s college basketball hierarchy.
« Very rarely do we have a great team in college basketball », said Farnham. « We have a great team this year and they are the Gonzaga Bulldogs. »
• Midway through the first half, Farnham wanted to see how BYU (9-3, 0-1) could get back into the game. The Zags wouldn’t let it, however.
« For BYU, » Farnham said as the Cougars hit the ball against the Zags three-quarter press, « what you want to do … » He was cut off, when Anton Watson jumped and Alex Barcello’s reverse pass pulled out the air.
• The game was scheduled late as Gonzaga lost his game with Santa Clara to the Broncos due to COVID-19 issues. BYU had the same problem with Pacific, part of a long layoff for the Cougars. (As Farnham said more than once, they haven’t played since December 23rd.)
The two were scheduled to meet in Spokane next month, but instead of sitting outside, the game was scheduled.
• No, Gonzaga doesn’t play football. But the Zags cannot escape the long shadow of the college game. Not when they’re on ESPN.
If you were quick enough to switch to ESPN News at the start of the game – ESPN was still advertising football prizes – you’ve seen Farnham the Bulldogs with Alabama’s # 1 soccer team.
His main evidence? The big three Zags, Drew Timme, Corey Kispert, and Jalen Suggs, with the return of the tides, the Heisman Trophy recipient and quarterback.
It wasn’t a bad opening. But was it worth seeing twice? No, we did, however. When the game returned to the mothership at 5:45 pm, every effort, time and, yes, money had to be shown on the network’s main channel.
• Regarding Farnham’s comparison, Suggs showed in the 4-minute stretch, that Flemming loved why he is Mac Jones, Alabama’s quarterback.
The former high school QB, the mention of which is already a cliché, grabbed a defensive ricochet, turned and spotted Joel Ayayi racing in the back seat. A quick step and a one-handed pass that ran almost the length of the court led Ayayi to an open spot and layup.
Former top quarterback Jalen Suggs drops Joel Ayayi a dime for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/lwMWsxtorA
– Justin Reed (@ JustinReed99) January 8, 2021
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Former top quarterback Jalen Suggs drops Joel Ayayi a cent for a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/lwMWsxtorA
Farnham jumped on the pass early and reveled in it as it justified its comparison. But Flemming wouldn’t let go of it.
Well, Flemming and the folks who edited the highlights while the piece continued to play throughout the show. And it’s sure to have a life in today’s SportsCenters.
• Farnham and Flemming, who sat about halfway up the empty stands at the McCarthey Athletic Center and led 52-29, went after hers Back to Alabama well, although the Crimson Tide was only mentioned by name a few minutes into the second half.
Farnham grumbled a little. All in all good fun, sure, but we suspect that it will be the last time Farnham’s favorite is not on the menu when he flies to Spokane.
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