Greg Heister (left) said this year's Gonzaga team reminds him of the days with Blake Stepp and Dan Dickau (Photo: SWX)SPOKANE, Wash. -
The first phase of the season is over for Gonzaga. Now it starts to get interesting. Gonzaga play-by-play commentator Greg Heister said the Zags' schedule starts to get a lot more difficult.
"And let's just be honest: it they're able to beat all of those teams on their home floor this may be the last time that we enjoy a schedule like this at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Enjoy it because you don't know when it will ever happen again."
To say Gonzaga's home schedule is rare is an understatement. They played Notre Dame at home – and won. They travel to Illinois this weekend and then return to The Kennel for games against Michigan State, Oral Roberts, Butler and Air Force – with a game against Arizona in Seattle somewhere in the middle of it all.
"When you consider what Gonzaga had to do for a decade just to get a Michigan State on the schedule, regardless of where they played, but now to get them on their home floor it's another sign of the times and an indication of where this program has gotten to."
Heister said the point guard situation at Gonzaga has been encouraging, with strong performances by both Kevin Pangos and David Stockton.
"I think David is going to be a key player this year and in the next couple," said Heister.
Gonzaga should also see increased intensity once Guy Landry Edi is available to play. He us currently serving a four-game suspension by the NCAA for violations that occurred prior to his coming to Gonzaga.
"Here comes Guy Landry Edi to the rescue, right?" said Heister. "This is a big, physical, athletic kid and I think he is going to be able to get up into people and create havoc and get some turnovers going and get this team running.
"This team right now reminds me of the old Zags with Stepp and Dickau. It was about getting to the free throw line, it was about rebounding the basketball."
