Exclusive Sit Down w/Gonzaga Expert Theo Lawson

The ultimate preview for Zags Week is here! The Roll Jays Podcast welcomes Theo Lawson from SpokesmanReview.com to break down the highly anticipated non-conference showdown between the Creighton Bluejays and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In this must-listen episode, hosts Jimmie Allen and Casey Matthews dive deep with Theo into the state of the Gonzaga program under Coach Mark Few. They explore the intriguing storylines and discuss why Gonzaga might be underrated despite being an "analytic starling" ranked #8 on KenPom. The conversation compares the "golden years" of Gonzaga basketball to the current squad , touching on the evolution of both the Zags and the Creighton program from mid-major powers to perennial top-20 contenders. Hear expert insight on the high expectations driven by NIL and natural program progression. Mark Few’s strategy of scheduling blue-blood opponents like Kentucky and Baylor, and what makes playing in the Spokane Arena such a difficult test for visitors. Don't miss this essential breakdown before the Jays and the Zags tip off!🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your favorite moment from the interview! You can also follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and socials... @BigEastEnergy 🎙️ Presented by the Big East Energy Podcast Network – your home for all things Big East basketball. Check out https://bigenergymediapods.com/bigeastenergynetwork for more.Watch the Roll Jays Playlist here:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmPKVP3DPdG1zo8M2M8LIdmeOAFp8uAf5&si=WVBv6nWRwgMh-GSBDon't forget to like and subscribe to @BigEastEnergyNetwork on YouTube for the BEST coverage of Big East basketball. #CreightonBasketball #GonzagaBasketball #CollegeBasketball #RollJaysPodcast #ZagaWeek #RyanNembhard #MarkFew #CreightonVsGonzaga #NCAAB #BigEast #WCC #KenPom #SpokaneArena #CBB #bigeastenergy #gregmcdermott #bigeastbasketball #hoops #bigeasthoops #ncaahoops #ncaa #creightonhoops#basketball #ncaabasketball 00:00 Introduction & Roll Jays Podcast Intro 00:46 Welcome - Why Gonzaga is Rated "So Low" 01:47 Comparing Gonzaga’s Past "Golden Eras" 03:35 Creighton & Gonzaga: Program Parallels & the Mid-Major Success Story 04:47 NIL, Coaching Legacies, and the Progression of High Fan Expectations 06:52 Mark Few’s Aggressive Non-Conference Scheduling Strategy 08:07 Previewing the Creighton Matchup: "Much Better Opponent" than Oklahoma 09:03 Gonzaga's Early Season Success: Offense (Ike & Huff) and Defensive Growth 11:51 Key Matchups to Watch on Tuesday Night 13:40 Creighton's Depth and Rotations for the Gonzaga Game 14:49 The Athleticism Gap between Gonzaga and Creighton 16:47 Non-Conference Tournaments and the Value of Neutral Site Games 18:23 Gonzaga's Home-Court Advantage in Spokane 20:03 A Look at the Atmosphere and Crowd Noise in Spokane Arena 21:28 Creighton's Keys to Victory Against the Zags 23:37 Final Score Predictions and Game Outlook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices