Gonzaga Bulldogs
West Coast Conference (26-5, 14-2)
Gonzaga had to break in a new backcourt this season, but Taelor Karr, a transfer from Kansas State and Haiden Palmer, a transfer from Oregon State, wasted little time fitting into the Bulldogs system. Karr, a 5-8 point guard, has one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in the nation. She also has a very good outside shot and Karr can make the opposing defender pay if they back off of her. Palmer is also a very good shooter, but she can get to the basket and score that way as well. On a team that already has a couple great scorers, she found a way to average double digits in that category.
Big Wins: 11/30 at Washington State (71-69), 12/19 vs Georgia (71-68), 1/28 at Saint Mary’s (75-70)
Bad Losses: 1/14 Saint Mary’s (63-66), 2/9 at BYU (40-70), 3/5 vs BYU (66-78)
Coach: Kelly Graves (12 seasons at Gonzaga)
Why They Can Surprise:
This team is built around forward Kayla Standish and wing Katelan Redmond. Those two were expected to be the leaders this year and they have not disappointed. Standish, a 6-2 senior, is a superb interior scorer and rebounder. She does try and stretch her range a little too much, but she can knock down the mid-range jumper. She just needs to stay inside the arc. Redmon is the more dynamic slasher. She is not much of a shooter either, but Redmon is can put up points in a hurry. At 6-1, Redmon is either bigger or faster than most players who are trying to defend her and she can take advantage of the situation either way.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Gonzaga likes to run up and down the floor. They will score a lot of points, but they will give up a lot of points too. That is generally not an issue since if a team plays fast, those numbers will be inflated. However, that is not the entire story for the Bulldogs. It is not a big deal when they give up 76 points to a team like Dayton when they score 82. However, the opposition can have an easy time scoring against the Gonzaga defense. The opposition shoots a quality 37.8 percent from the floor and 31.8 percent from beyond the arc. Those are not good numbers for a team that has Sweet Sixteen and beyond aspirations. The up and down style of play will create some of those opportunities, but a lack of depth is also to blame. It is difficult to keep up that pace on a team that goes eight deep on a good day.
Probable Starters:
Taelor Karr, Junior, Guard, 7.6 ppg, 4.5 apg
Haiden Palmer, Sophomore, Guard, 12.4 ppg, 2.0 apg, 4.5 rpg
Katelan Redmon, Senior, Guard, 13.7 ppg, 1.5 apg, 5.7 rpg
Kelly Bowen, Senior, Forward, 8.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Kayla Standish, Senior, Forward, 15.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.5 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Stephanie Golden, Sophomore, Center, 3.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Sonja Greinacher, Freshman, Forward, 4.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Jazmine Redmon, Sophomore, Guard, 4.6 ppg, 3.3 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 75.6 (10th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 60.8 (151, 3)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.4 (14, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 37.8 (125, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 4.4 (190, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 31.7 (104, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.5 (84, 4)
Rebound Margin: 7.9 (17, 2)
Assists Per Game: 17.3 (8, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 15.0 (44, 1)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
Gonzaga 2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Iowa
Gonzaga 2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over UCLA
Gonzaga 2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Louisville
Gonzaga 2011 NCAA Regional Final loss to Stanford
Gonzaga 2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over North Carolina
Gonzaga 2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Texas A&M
Gonzaga 2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Xavier
Gonzaga 2009 NCAA Round of 64 win over Xavier
Gonzaga 2009 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Pittsburgh
Gonzaga 2008 NIT First Round win over Idaho State
Gonzaga 2008 NIT Second Round loss to Colorado
Gonzaga 2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Middle Tennessee State
*all team stats through 3/1
See All Women’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
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