Gonzaga begins season ranked 11th but faces questions entering new phase

Anton Watson: An Integral Part of Gonzaga’s Evolution

Anton Watson has had a firsthand experience of the Gonzaga journey, from playing a crucial role on a team that reached the national championship game to becoming an established starter. Throughout this time, both Watson and the Bulldogs have been accustomed to the high expectations that come with being one of the top teams in the nation. However, this season brings a different atmosphere for the 11th-ranked Zags, with a mix of new faces and players stepping into larger roles.

“Team chemistry has been excellent so far, and it’s evident both on and off the court. The vibes have been incredible,” Watson said.

This season marks the beginning of a new era for Gonzaga.

Drew Timme, who seemed like a permanent fixture in Spokane, has departed. Watson is one of only two returning starters from last season’s 31-6 team, which made it to the Elite Eight before falling to eventual national champions, UConn. In a surprising development, Gonzaga is not ranked in the Top 10 of the preseason AP Top 25 for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

The Bulldogs’ uncertainties are further highlighted by being picked behind Saint Mary’s in the preseason West Coast Conference poll.

The road to success may be more challenging this time around for Coach Mark Few and his team. Gonzaga secured Ryan Nembhard, one of the top players in the transfer portal, following in the footsteps of his brother Andrew, who also joined the Bulldogs from Creighton. The addition of former Wyoming standout Graham Ike, talented freshman Dusty Stromer, and last season’s Big Sky player of the year, Steele Venters, gives Gonzaga a promising roster. However, the key question remains: how quickly can they come together, especially with a demanding nonconference schedule?

“It feels normal to me, in terms of continuity and integrating new faces. We had a lot of new players last year as well,” Few stated. “This is the nature of being a high-level program.”

RETURNING CREW

Alongside Timme, the departures of starters Julian Strawther and Rasir Bolton have left Watson and guard Nolan Hickman as the only returning starters. Watson, who started all 37 games last season, averaged 11.1 points and 6.2 rebounds. Right behind him, Hickman started 36 of 37 games played, contributed 7.7 points, and ranked second on the team in assists.

Gonzaga’s depth has also taken a hit with the departure of Malachi Smith due to eligibility and Hunter Sallis transferring to Wake Forest.

NEW FACES

The addition of Nembhard has provided an immediate boost to Gonzaga’s backcourt. In his first season at Creighton, he was named the Big East freshman of the year. Last season, he averaged 12 points and nearly five assists per game. Nembhard and Hickman are likely to form a dynamic duo in Gonzaga’s backcourt.

Ike missed the entire last season due to a right foot injury, and the Zags have been cautious with his recovery. Two seasons ago, he emerged as a dominant force in the middle for Wyoming and is the most experienced interior player on Gonzaga’s roster.

Venters transferred from nearby Eastern Washington, having started his career as a walk-on before emerging as the best player in the Big Sky last season. He averaged 16.7 points and shot 43% from 3-point range. Expect the highly regarded 6-foot-6 wing, Dusty Stromer, to assume a significant role almost immediately.

ROAD AHEAD

The Bulldogs will face an immediate challenge as they open the Maui Invitational against No. 3 Purdue, followed by a matchup against either No. 9 Tennessee or Syracuse. Gonzaga will also face No. 21 USC and No. 6 UConn in neutral-site games in Las Vegas and Seattle, respectively. Additionally, they will play against Washington on the road and host No. 17 San Diego State in a marquee nonconference game in Spokane.

In the midst of conference play, the Bulldogs will travel to face No. 16 Kentucky in February for a highly anticipated showdown.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball