Jordan Ford would love to see his #30 next to these greats one day.
The Moraga Experience
Today is a special day, getting to cover a nationally recognized game in my own backyard at Saint Mary’s. My wife and I moved to Oakland, CA earlier this year, so this is truly the first time I can say that SMC is in my backyard. Annually the biggest game here is the Gonzaga game. It’s a game I have never attended, but always watch and follow closely on television. I have covered Saint Mary’s games in the past, I haven’t taken the time to come see what Moraga the town, had to offer. With this game being sold out to the max and essentially a requirement to get there early, what better time to go take in Moraga.
The drive was pleasant, a nice 11-12 mile drive from my place to the Moraga main corner of Moraga Way and Moraga Road. Yes, this is what the two main roads of Moraga are called! I settled in for a nice lunch at Pennini’s. As ate a Greek Salad at the bar, I was told the background of the place. It was the only bar/restaurant in Moraga until the recently built Canyon Club Brewery came about. The people were friendly. I began to share why I was there, much to my surprise the three folks next to me, had no idea that there was a game happening tonight up the street. Let alone, a BIG GAME! These are the kind of experiences that you can’t make up. I am originally from Seattle, so these types of California experiences always surprise me. In a way I love it, because they are out here getting a lot out of life. After almost chatting too long, it was time to hustle over to McKeon Pavilion.
The friendly confines of Pennini’s. Moraga, CA.
Thankfully I knew where my secret media parking spot was, or parking would have been close to impossible. The folks working at SMC, are incredibly hospitable. Gaels staff members consistently take great care of the folks covering the game. After I parked, a large big bbq-style party was happening in front of the Pavilion with a DJ playing. And that was it, that was the moment. The moment I knew that a Gonzaga-Saint Mary’s gameday was different than any other Saint Mary’s gameday by a mile.
GAME NOTES - PREGAME
Gonzaga:
- Looking to continue series dominance. Zags have won 15 of the last 19 meetings.
- A Gonzaga win would mean 38-straight road wins in WCC play, an incredible feat.
- Gonzaga does many things well. #1 nationally in Offensive Efficiency, #3 in effective FG%, #5 in taking care of the ball (Turnover %).
- Zags also are #1 in Margin of victory (21.3) and scoring offense (88.3)
- Last Saturday Filip Petrusev and Corey Kispert rescued the Zags out of a close 83-79 win over San Francisco.
- Bulldogs only attempted five three-pointers in San Francisco, but got to the line 32 times.
- Petrusev is the reigning WCC Player of the Week and on the late season Wooden List.
- Kispert is on the Julius Erving Award late season list.
- Killian Tillie is on the Karl Malone late season list.
Saint Mary’s:
- SMC won the last meeting vs. Gonzaga to steal an NCAA Bid from an At-Large team in the WCC Championship Game
- This is the first of two meetings in the next three weeks.
- 2nd nationally in 3pt FG%
- 2nd nationally in Steals %
- Jordan Ford (#1 WCC) averages 21 PPG and Malik Fitts (#3 WCC) averages 18.2 PPG
- Giving the ball away way too easily. (Ranked #341 in Non-Steal TO% in NCAA)
- Saint Mary’s will rarely play 7-3 Aaron Menzies, the majority of the game the Gaels’ tallest player is 6-8. Vital for them to spread the floor and remain in attack mode.