Last Updated: October 27, 2023, 03:00 IST
Anton Watson has lived each phase of the Gonzaga expertise, from being an essential position participant on a squad that reached the nationwide championship sport to rising into a longtime starter.
That complete time, Watson and the Bulldogs have lived with the expectations of being the most effective groups within the nation. And whereas a few of these expectations are nonetheless there, this season has a unique really feel for the 11th-ranked Zags with a handful of new faces and others moving into larger roles.
“Team chemistry has been really good so far and it shows on and off the court. The vibes have been great,” Watson stated.
This season is the beginning of a new phase for Gonzaga.
Drew Timme is gone after what appeared like an eternity in Spokane. Watson is one in all solely two returning starters from final season’s crew that went 31-6 and misplaced to eventual nationwide champion UConn within the Elite Eight. Gonzaga wasn’t ranked within the Top 10 of the preseason AP Top 25 for the primary time for the reason that 2017-18 season.
And maybe probably the most vital signal of the uncertainty surrounding the Bulldogs — they have been picked behind Saint Mary’s within the preseason West Coast Conference ballot.
The Bulldogs may find yourself being superb, but attending to that time could also be one of many tougher journeys of coach Mark Few’s tenure. Gonzaga landed one of many high accessible gamers within the switch portal when Ryan Nembhard adopted his brother Andrew’s path and joined the Bulldogs from Creighton. The Zags additionally added former Wyoming massive man Graham Ike, who two seasons in the past averaged 19.5 factors and 9.6 rebounds earlier than an harm derailed final season.
Throw in gifted freshman wing Dusty Stromer and final season’s Big Sky participant of the 12 months, Steele Venters, and Gonzaga seems to have the personnel. But how rapidly all of it comes collectively is the massive query, particularly with one other brutal nonconference schedule.
“Seems like normal to me kind of continuity-wise and all that. Seems like we had a lot of new faces last year, too,” Few stated. “So it’s just it’s kind of the way it goes and especially when you’re at a high-level program.”
RETURNING CREW
Along with Timme, the Zags misplaced starters Julian Strawther and Rasir Bolton off final season’s crew, leaving Watson and guard Nolan Hickman as the 2 returning starters. Watson averaged 11.1 factors and 6.2 rebounds and began all 37 video games final season. Hickman was proper behind, beginning 36 of 37 video games performed, scored 7.7 factors and was second on the crew in assists.
Some of Gonzaga’s depth additionally took a success with Malachi Smith out of eligibility and Hunter Sallis transferring to Wake Forest.
NEW FACES
Nembhard was an instantaneous enhance to Gonzaga’s backcourt. He was the Big East freshman of the 12 months in his first season at Creighton and adopted up by averaging 12 factors and practically 5 assists per sport final season. Nembhard and Hickman are more likely to play as a duo in Gonzaga’s backcourt.
Ike missed all final season because of a proper foot harm and the Zags have been very cautious with him. He was a power within the center two seasons in the past for Wyoming and is probably the most confirmed inside participant on Gonzaga’s roster.
Venters transferred from close by Eastern Washington, the place he began his profession as a stroll-on earlier than turning into the most effective participant within the Big Sky final season after averaging 16.7 factors and taking pictures 43% from 3-level vary.
Stromer was ranked as one of many high 50 recruits within the nation and the 6-foot-6 wing ought to step right into a outstanding position nearly instantly.
ROAD AHEAD
The Bulldogs will get examined straight away. Gonzaga will open the Maui Invitational with No. 3 Purdue after which face No. 9 Tennessee or Syracuse. The Zags will face No. 21 USC and No. 6 UConn in impartial-website video games in Las Vegas and Seattle respectively, play at Washington and host No. 17 San Diego State within the marquee nonconference sport performed in Spokane.
And in the course of convention play, the Bulldogs will journey to No. 16 Kentucky for a February showdown with the Wildcats.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
