Yeah, they're like a less talented version of that '05 team that nearly went undefeated. I've always said that '05 team was one of the best teams to never win a title, but they also definitely relied a little too much on the outside shot. The difference is that they had Dee Brown, Luther Head, and Deron Williams taking those outside shots with guys like Powell and Augustine being able to benefit downlow. It's funny how we're seven years and two coaches removed from that year's team, but they still have the same tendencies.
I feel you on your Zags loss though. That's the beauty and the curse of the college game. There are a lot of mediocre teams that can randomly get really hot from the outside and bury you. The Illini used to do that to MSU all the time in the Dee Brown years. Brown and Head would be hitting contested shots from beyond NBA range, and there's really nothing you can do at that point.
BTW - Do you remember the '05 Maui Invitational? The Michigan State/Gonzaga game was one of the best games I've seen in the 2000's. There were so many small plays that could have pushed the game either way, but that missed layup by Goran Suton is one of those plays I'll never forget.... wide open, no one around him, and he wiffs on the game winner.