Gonzaga, St. Mary’s play for WCC title

  • By Jim Meehan The Spokesman-Review
  • Sunday, March 10, 2013 10:42pm
  • SportsSports

LAS VEGAS – Watching on television when Saint Mary’s center Brad Waldow’s front tooth went flying late in Saturday’s game, Gonzaga’s Elias Harris and Kelly Olynyk had a similar reaction.

“I thought, umm, it might be about time to wear a mouth guard,” Harris said. “It’s been sitting in my locker the last four years.”

“I don’t really like them,” Olynyk said, talking about mouth guards. “It’s hard to communicate. After I saw that, I was like, ‘Shoot, I should be wearing one of those.’”

Waldow had one front tooth knocked out and an adjacent tooth pushed inward after absorbing contact from San Diego’s Chris Manresa. An oral surgeon put Waldow’s teeth back in place with glue and a wire and the Gaels’ center is good to go for tonight’s WCC men’s basketball tournament title game with Gonzaga at the Orleans Arena.

It’s the fifth straight year Gonzaga (30-2) and Saint Mary’s (27-5) have met for the championship. They split the previous four meetings. GU has played in the last 16 title games and is pursuing its 12th championship since 1995.

The day off between the semifinals and championship has been in place since BYU joined the WCC two years ago. The Cougars don’t play games on Sundays. The extra 24 hours came in handy for Waldow and Olynyk, who will probably defend each other.

Waldow received a bunch of texts, alerting him to Randy Bennett’s no-way-I’m-touching-that reaction when the player tried to hand the coach his tooth.

“The thing was huge,” Bennett said.

“I tried to hand it to Coach ‘B’, I didn’t think they’d stop the game for it, and he didn’t take it so I tossed it to one of the assistant coaches,” Waldow said. “Right now I’m feeling pretty good, not as sore.”

Olynyk twisted his ankle in the second half of Gonzaga’s win over Loyola Marymount. He played on, but had his worst shooting night (3-of-10, 30 percent) of the season.

“I’ll be ready,” said Olynyk, who entered the game third nationally in field-goal percentage at 66.8. “I went through a good team practice, did everything. I could have played (Sunday night). If we had to play right after Saturday’s game I would have played.”

The Zags defeated Saint Mary’s 83-78 in Spokane and 77-60 in Moraga, Calif. GU’s first priority is defending Gaels standout point guard Matthew Dellavedova. He had mixed results, making 4-of-15 shots en route to 14 points in the first meeting and hitting six 3s and scoring 22 points to go with six assists in the second.

“You have to love and respect guys that have maxed out their ability,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “You can tell by the way he plays, he’s a guy that really takes film to heart. He’s a tremendous competitor.”

Bennett’s concern is containing Gonzaga’s offense, which averages 78 points on 50.3 percent shooting.

“You have to figure out how you’re going to guard their personnel, that’s where you have to make more adjustments,” Bennett said. “There won’t be any surprises, they’re going to do what they do defensively and you have to be able to execute.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.