Collideoscope

Posted by: Bradley McDonald

If anyone has seen Gonzaga play this year, you know about Adam Morrison and his offensive prowess. The Larry Bird comparisons keep popping up everywhere. For you old school Celtics fans, that may be blasphemous, but once you see him play, you might just change your mind. His shot and offensive moves are eerily similar to Bird's.

And we have a first hand report from Gonzaga's game versus the University of San Francisco thanks to Lamont jones!

On a clear night in San Francisco, the city's university was abuzz and rocking. Their Dons were taking on the 7th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs and one of the nations premiere collegiate basketball players in Adam Morrison. The War Memorial Gym was packed to the rafters. There was not an empty space in the house. Fans were clamoring for a chance to see Morrison. They wanted an opportunity to view greatness. They were not disappointed.

From the opening tip, the crowd waited in anticipation to see his first shot. He hoisted up a 3 and swish it went through nothing but net. The crowd booed him whenever he touched the ball, but you could tell he was relishing that. After each drive to the basket, each pull up from the baseline and each free throw, you would see this coy smile from the superstar.

But the Dons were not fazed; they went toe to toe with the nation's number 7 team. Before the end of the half the Dons' coach screamed to double Morrison. Two players trapped him at the top of the key; Morrison calmly split the double the team and dropped a feathery jumper through the net.

But the half did not end without a buzzer beater. The Dons blocked a shot with 6 seconds left and turned up court and got a layup to end the half. The Mighty Gonzaga Bulldogs were only up 5 at the half, and Morrison only scored 24 points. The Dons surged ahead by one in the second half but the crowd knew it was only a matter of time before Morrison and his pals would take over. First Rivola hit a 3, and then Batista got fouled and hit a layup. Then Morrison took over, hitting his Bird-like jumpers all over the floor. When his team needed him most, Morrison was grabbing the defensive rebounds and starting the fast break. 24 points went to 30, 30 to 36.

And the crowd turned on their home team and wanted Morrison to score 40. As the Zags pulled away it was all that people wanted to see. With Morrison witting on 39 points, Coach Few left him in the game with 19 seconds left. Morrison was fouled and quickly sank his 40th and 41st points at the free throw line. The visiting hero was taken out of the game to a standing ovation. Morrison and his merry men had won their 15th straight game.