Richard Fox believes he has witnessed most of Gonzaga coach Mark Few's 701 wins as a player, spectator or television analyst.
On Monday's latest Zags Basketball Insiders Podcast, Fox and Spokesman-Review reporter Jim Meehan discuss Few's 700th win, his legend, and his evolution as a coach, all while looking ahead to Thursday's big game against San Francisco. I'll tell you.
They also have the latest NET rankings, where GU is No. 30 (behind St. Mary's at No. 22, but ahead of USF at No. 57), and the latest bracket, with two of them still inside the Zags on the outside. Predictions are also discussed.
Some highlights edited for brevity:
About the evolution of Fox and Few: “I think he's a better coach and he was very good when I was there. He's been more comfortable with the players while they've been here, For many of us, the early days are more peer-to-peer than when you played for him when you were a young coach, probably after you finished. What we did was simpler. We had an old-school flex offense. I still think it's a great offense and it could have won us the game today. But it got a lot more publicity early on and helped level out the talent gap that might be going up against higher-ranked teams.”
Meehan on GU's rise to elite status under Hugh: “I can’t think of any other program that in many ways doesn’t have much tradition or history that has accomplished so much in 25 years, never retreated, continued to operate, and ascended to such a national stage. I can't do that.''I've gotten better. ”
About Fox, bracket projection: “I don't think they have any margin for error in terms of being a big man. Even if they drop one more, or frankly two, to any decent team in the league, they're going to get one on the road for Kentucky. Even if they win, you might still be okay. Kentucky's team is very good. A classic win like that might be enough to get you in. They certainly play better and But I think the real test lies ahead, that's for sure.”
Watch the episode here. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
