10 GONZAGA
Balance Check
The real Kevin Pangos was last seen on Nov. 27, 2013, in Gonzaga's final game of the Maui Invitational. The point guard torched Arkansas for 34 points and committed just one turnover in 39 minutes against the Razorbacks' press. But soon after, he suffered a turf-toe injury in his right foot, and a series of left-ankle sprains followed. "Everything got thrown off," Pangos says, including his balance, speed-changing ability and cutting. "He couldn't even walk after games," says coach Mark Few.
Pangos then endured a gym rat's worst nightmare: having to stay off the court for three months, not to mention regularly submerging his feet in icy water. A fully recovered Pangos and fellow senior Gary Bell Jr. could be the nation's most efficient scoring backcourt, and the Zags, who were led by frontcourt stars in each of the past three seasons, should have a diverse, balanced offense. "This year's team has as much depth as we've ever had," says Few, who added key transfers in power forward Kyle Wiltjer (from Kentucky) and swingman Byron Wesley (USC), and has an emerging low-post force in junior Przemek Karnowski. Few's new crew is healthier, more talented and harder to defend—a promising formula for a breakthrough into the second weekend of the NCAAs.
Lineup
With 2014--15 Projected Stats
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ROUND OF 32
ROUND OF 32
ROUND OF 32
ROUND OF 32
SWEET 16
'10--11
'11--12
'12--13
'13--14
'14--15
TELLING NUMBER 80.1
Winning percentage for Mark Few (403--100 in 15 seasons), which ranks first among active coaches. (UNC coach Roy Williams is a close second, with 79.2.) Few ranks fifth on the alltime list, just behind former UCLA coach John Wooden (80.4).
PHOTO
JOHN W. MCDONOUGH/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
A healthy Pangos leads a diverse attack.
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