Some updates after the Gonzaga game

Vernon Teel played only 13 minutes in the Lions game against Gonzaga | Courtesy of Facebook

Just read on The Spokesman-Review web site that Vernon Teel didn't start in the Gonzaga game due to a sore knee. LMU had not released anything on why Teel hadn't started, but I was worried it was due to the technical foul he received down the stretch of the Portland game, which I would have found hypocritical since Head Coach Max Good received one as well.

Teel, who is averaging 32.6 minutes per game, played only 13 in the Lions game against Portland. Freshman Ayodeji Egbeyemi started in his place.

Teel went 2-6 in the game, scoring six points and pulling in four rebounds. Teel is averaging eight rebounds per game from a guard position through the team's first four conference games.

The article also had a few quotes from Gonzaga about the Lions. It's always good to know what opposing coaches and players think of LMU. Here are some highlights:

• “I don’t know if you invite [the Lions to shoot from outside], but they’re just drivers, drivers, drivers,” Gonzaga Head Coach Mark Few said. “That’s how they get themselves to the line. We did a decent job in the second half of being in the gaps and shoring that up.”
• “They’re very, very talented,” Bulldogs guard David Stockton said. “It just depends on which team shows up to the gym. They’ve had some struggles, injuries have hurt them, but they’re more than capable of beating good teams.”
• “They have a lot of belief,” Bulldogs senior Steven Gray said. “They have a lot of good players and they have a lot of confidence and freedom. That’s what makes them so dangerous.”

It is nice to see that a team as talented as Gonzaga has that kind of respect for the Lions. I am assuming Teel will be back in the starting lineup Saturday against Pepperdine, but will update if I hear anything to the contrary.