14 thoughts about the Gonzaga Bulldogs after 4 games
Chip Clark
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4. Zags are too careless with the ball.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs average 17.5 turnovers per game. They even had 13 against North Florida. For comparison, last year, they averaged 11.6, and in 2020-21, it was 12.0.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say this isn’t a Mark Few-coached team. Few is a detail-oriented coach, and this is a detail that will end up as their undoing. It’s hard to see the Zags play so sloppy at times.
5. Control Your Game
There is a reason why Julian Strawther withdrew from the draft. He’s inconsistent and too often plays out of control, which in the big picture, lessens the good things he does on the court.
If Strawther wants to play at the next level, he must even out his game. As it stands now, Strawther has NBA talent but is not an NBA player.
6. Time to grow up
Following great point guards like Jalen Suggs and Andrew Nembhard is a tough spot to drop someone into. Nolan Hickman is growing into the job but isn’t the guy right now.
He doesn’t facilitate the Gonzaga Bulldogs offense. Which in turn causes it to a) stall or b) overdepend on Timme.
7. It can’t be all Timme
Getting back to Timme, he should be the focal point of the offense. But every offensive set doesn’t have to go through him. Working the ball around the perimeter more would help.
8. Disappointed by transfers
Zags fans have gotten spoiled with transfers in recent years. Players such as Admon Gilder, Rasir Bolton, and Nembhard have all been big contributors after coming to Spokane.
So far, the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ two big transfers this year, Efton Reid (LSU) and Malachi Smith (Tennessee-Chattanooga) haven’t had the same impact as their predecessors.
Not everyone adjusts to a new system at the same rate. But I’d hoped the duo would be more reliable.
9. Sparkless off the bench
If the Gonzaga Bulldogs have a sixth man, it’s Hunter Sallis. He’s a future star but hasn’t been the boost he should be. The good news is his defensive efficiency is up over last season. But Gonzaga needs him to be more consistent shooting from the floor.
It isn’t just him. Somebody else has to step up and be the spark on at least one end of the floor.