La Salle adjusting to playing without big man Steve Zack
PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE - While much of La Salle's success revolves around the play of its terrific guards, the Explorers still have missed steady center Steve Zack. The foot injury that has caused Zack to miss the last three games will cause him to miss at least (if necessary) the next three.
PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE - While much of La Salle's success revolves around the play of its terrific guards, the Explorers still have missed steady center Steve Zack. The foot injury that has caused Zack to miss the last three games will cause him to miss at least (if necessary) the next three.
Zack will be in Dayton, Ohio, but will not be available for Wednesday's first-round game against Boise State. If the Explorers survive, he won't be available for the weekend games in Kansas City, Mo. Friday's opponent would be fourth-seeded Kansas State.
"It's a disappointment," Explorers coach John Giannini said. "It's week by week and hopefully, we are still playing next week. It hurts our depth, but we'll play Jerrell Wright more. A lot of coaches would love to have that problem."
Wright, at 6-8, is now the only player in Giannini's regular rotation taller than 6-5.
Boise State, like La Salle, relies heavily on its smaller players. The Broncos (21-10) start three guards, a swingman and a 6-9 forward. The two teams are remarkably similar even beyond the starting lineups. Each lost its first conference tournament game and each sweated out Selection Sunday.
"We have similar styles of play and both play in five-bid leagues that aren't part of the whole BCS-football thing," Giannini said. "I think it's a real even matchup."
La Salle lost its two previous games, including the Atlantic 10 quarterfinal to Butler. The Bulldogs hammered La Salle on the glass, 37-22, as Zack could only nurse the sprained ligament in his left foot.
Zack was not available before the Explorers left for Dayton on Monday evening, but teammate Ramon Galloway explained what his absence from the lineup meant.
"It's a big deal," Galloway said. "Zack helped us on defense and on offense. Anytime you have a 7-footer, he's going to help tremendously. I feel bad that he's got to sit out. I wish we had him. But we have to do this for him. We've got to work harder. The guards have to box out and rebound knowing that Steve Zack is out."
Give 'em a hand
There was a buzz around 20th & Olney that hadn't been felt since the Explorers' last NCAA Tournament selection more than 2 decades ago. Super-sub Tyrone Garland felt it as soon he walked into history class.
"The teacher and the class stood up and gave me a standing ovation. That was really cool," Garland said. "But then I got to my math class, there was no standing ovation. That teacher, she's all business. But after class, she did wish me good luck."
Tuesday is the 21st anniversary of the Explorers' last NCAA game. They lost to Seton Hall in a first-round game when Terry Dehere hit a three-pointer in the final seconds to end the celebrated careers of Randy Woods and Jack Hurd.
Win or lose, the Explorers return to the Big Dance gave the campus a shot of adrenaline.
"To look into people's faces, it was amazing," Garland said. "Obviously, they haven't been to the tournament in such a long time, to finally get there, I just know it gave them and us a lot of relief."
Explorations
Boise State is making its fifth NCAA appearance, and first since 2008. The Broncos have never won a game . . . La Salle has never played Boise State and last played a team from the Gem State when it beat the University of Idaho in 1990.
