ZAGS TRACKER with STEVE CAMERON: No room for soft on this sweet run

Just for a minute or two, let’s go back to Saturday night …

You probably remember all the fuss about what Drew Timme said — or didn’t say — during and after the Zags’ 82-78 victory over Memphis.

You know, the win that propelled Gonzaga into tonight’s Sweet Sixteen matchup against Arkansas.

There were reports of Timme bellowing at his teammates in the locker room during halftime (with Gonzaga down 41-31), and we only know about those because Drew was shouting so loudly that he was heard clearly through closed doors.

Next, during Gonzaga’s usual midcourt gathering just prior to the second half, everyone at the Moda Center in Portland saw Timme pointing at the scoreboard and passionately imploring everyone to change those ugly numbers.

We were bullied and intimidated, Timme said to his Zags, and that can’t happen.

And then came the postgame interviews, when — depending on who is repeating the story — Timme might or might not have cursed on national television.

WE DO know that Drew attempted very hard NOT to swear like a longshoreman in front of the whole country.

In fact, there is a Twitter replay available, in case you’re still not sure – since many print and video outlets chose to paraphrase his interview.

Just for the record, here is precisely what Drew Timme said when asked about the point he wanted to make at halftime …

“I said I don’t give a flying ‘eff’ what happens at the end of the game, whether we lose or win, we’re not going out as no (long pause) soft guys.”

Needless to say, the phrase Timme used to the troops originally was considerably more insulting than “soft guys.”

But as he tweeted later …

“Not cussing on TV is harder then it looks lol. I’m tryna be better so my mom doesn’t kick my @$$.”

That brought an immediate reply from Megan Timme, and you should note that Drew’s mother is a regular contributor to Gonzaga conversations, as well.

“Well, I would say that’s an excellent strategy!!!” Megan replied to her son.

THESE various exchanges eventually became a lot of fun, but only because the Zags came out in the second half, and …

Well, they weren’t “no soft guys.”

Depending on how Gonzaga fares against a fast, athletic and aggressive Arkansas team tonight — and perhaps further along in the tournament — Timme’s message could be hugely important.

This particular group of Zags is not particularly outgoing, but rather a really polite collection of student-athletes trying to succeed at the highest level of a sport that requires, um …

Swag.

Trash talk.

The desire, not just to win, but embarrass opponents.

That just isn’t them.

Even Timme isn’t like it very often.

He’s famous for having friendly chats with players, coaches, officials, anyone who will listen – about anything at all.

Drew is not a Vince Lombardi motivator.

Except when he realizes that the Zags, himself included, are being “soft guys.”

And there was no question that for 20 minutes, Memphis made Gonzaga look like a roll of Charmin.

The Tigers pushed people around, shoved them aside for offensive rebounds, shouldered them out of the way for loose balls, and generally made it pretty plain that they had no respect for the Zags’ No. 1 seed — and intended to leave it lying in a puddle on some Portland roadside.

Honestly, there is no one on the roster but Timme who could take this team out behind the woodshed for a humiliating self-examination.

So, he did.

CAN THE message last?

Arkansas is likely going to look like a better version of Memphis, and will also try taking the game straight into the Zags’ kitchen. If Gonzaga survives the Razorbacks, its Elite Eight game would involve either rough-and-tumble Texas Tech or talented, in-your-face Duke — the latter having beaten the Zags once already this season.

Yes, there are other factors involved besides toughness.

Julian Strawther went zero-for-nine on 3-pointers during the two games in Portland, and Gonzaga needs his shooting.

Chet Holmgren can contribute in plenty of ways besides outside accuracy, but nonetheless, he’s made just one of his last 12 shots from deep.

Andrew Nembhard, fortunately, at last has taken Mark Few’s advice to “hunt your shot,” and the Zags point guard has made 21 of his last 40 shots from 3-point range — including five huge treys that ultimately buried Memphis.

This shooting from behind the arc is handy, but Gonzaga has won all year by scoring in the paint, dominating the rebound statistics, letting Timme do his thing, and enjoying the fun of Holmgren blocking and altering so many shots.

That kind of thing requires toughness, a refusal to be moved, to demand your space, to let a team feel as though you cannot be frightened — not in the least.

In other words, the path from tonight to the Final Four will be no place for soft guys.

Or that locker room word, either.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published

weekly during the season.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”