Better against the Bulldogs?
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 01:09 p.m., November 6, 2007
Updated 01:09 p.m., November 6, 2007
There’s only one player on the Emporia State roster that was on the team during its exhibition trip to Gonzaga in 2004.
His memories of the game aren’t that great, either.
“We played pretty bad when we went up there, actually,” ESU senior guard Wes Book said. “... We weren’t very competitive when we played up there, and this year, we definitely want to be competitive.”
Book will get a second chance against the elite Division-I team on Wednesday, as ESU travels to face No. 14 Gonzaga on Wednesday in Spokane, Wash.
Looking back, the Hornets — who lost 114-86 in the 2004 preseason game — understandably had their hands full. At the time, future NBA players Adam Morrison and Ronny Turiaf both played for Gonzaga.
ESU, after falling behind 67-36 at halftime, actually outscored the Bulldogs 50-47 in the second half.
Book believes this year’s Gonzaga team — which interestingly is tied for No. 14 in the polls with ESU’s first opponent, Texas A&M — should be just as talented.
“You never want to go in thinking you’re going to lose,” Book said, “but definitely the goal is — against a team of that caliber — to compete and not get embarrassed.”
ESU showed that it could hang with the big boys in its first exhibition game last Thursday against A&M.
The Hornets led for five minutes in the first half and trailed by just two with seven minutes remaining before falling to the Aggies, 85-73, in College Station.
“I thought we did pretty well last game,” ESU freshman Matt Boswell said. “Hopefully we can continue that this game.”
Boswell was one of the highlights for the Hornets in their exhibition opener.
The 6-foot-6 guard from Wichita scored nine first-half points, finishing 3-of-8 from the field with a pair of 3-pointers.
“That’s kind of my game — knocking down shots,” Boswell said.
Boswell, who logged 17 minutes off the bench, also helped the undersized Hornets defend A&M’s taller post players.
ESU should face some of the same challenges against Gonzaga, which returns 6-11 center Josh Heytvelt.
The junior averaged 15.5 points and 7.7 rebounds a year ago.
ESU also will have to deal with one of the toughest environments in the nation.
In 2004, the Hornets were actually the first opponent to face the Bulldogs in their new arena, the 6,000-seat McCarthey Center.
“I just remember the student section was pretty nuts,” Book said. “They sit on the side, and they kind of overwhelm you on the court.”
Boswell said the Hornets wouldn’t back down from the challenge.
“We’ve got a lot of guys with experience — a lot of older guys that aren’t looking just to show up and play,” Boswell said. “We’re looking to compete and hopefully pull one out in the end. I think we can play with these guys.”