Gonzaga Basketball: Let’s run it back!

Teresa Powe   |  

Jun 7, 2022

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After declaring for the NBA Draft Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, and Rasir Bolton return. Let’s go! This is the season we get the trophy!

Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, and Rasir Bolton are returning to the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Timme will be a senior, Strawther a junior, and Bolton is using the Covid year granted to the students because of the time students lost due to the pandemic. Their return is what the Gonzaga Bulldogs needed to make another run at that elusive trophy.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe in any Mark Few teams. I hope they’ve watched a lot of film this offseason to see where things went wrong at the end of the season and the NCAA Tournament. This is it. This is the time. They’re back, so let’s do this!

Drew Timme – At the very last minute, Timme sent out a Michael Jordanesque tweet, simply saying, “I’m back.”

It doesn’t matter what time he said it. He said it. Timme’s tweet was the last block to fall in place, turning the 2022-23 Gonzaga Bulldogs into the team to beat. Timme brings with him the highest determination to win and to grow. In the NBA combine, he was fantastic. However, he needs to work on his defense, rim protection, and outside shot, and you can believe Timme will work on it!

Last season, Timme averaged 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. Every year as a Bulldog, Timme contributed to the greatest extent. In the past two seasons, he earned All-American honors and was the West Coast Conference player of the year last season. However, these are not the stats for a late second-round pick. One more season to work on his rim protection, defense, and the mid-range shot will propel Timme to a first-round pick next year.

Julian Strawther – I couldn’t imagine a race to the championship for the Gonzaga Bulldogs without the firepower of Julian Strawther. Mr. Sharp Shooter. Of course, he will be one of Coach Few’s starting guards. Last season Strawther missed only one of the 32 games. He averaged 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds.

Strawther came out on top in the physical test of agility at the combine but didn’t participate in scrimmage games. I understand the players want to be in the NBA. I want that for every Gonzaga Bulldog that wants it. But at the MAC, on the Kennel floor, is where they learn, fix the pieces that need to be fixed, and star on national television every week. In my eyes, no Bulldog should go in the second round. They are all first-round draft picks and should go forward as such.

Yes, let’s run back the 2021-22 season and this time, let’s take the trophy home!

Rasir Bolton – I have to admit, Rasir Bolton returning made me the happiest. The “Speedy Sniper” has not had the best time in college until he made it to the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Unfortunately, one season was not enough. He used the Covid-19 waiver granted to students due to the pandemic.

Rasir had the best three-point percentage of all Bulldogs at 46.0 and made the most three-pointers (64). He played all 32 games last season, averaging 11.2 points with a 50.2 field goal percentage. You can’t tell me every Bulldogs fan doesn’t want to see the Speedy Sniper race down the court and stop…for the pull-up three. Yes! He buried it!

Let’s “Run it back 1 more time.” Your fans are ready!

With the return of Timme, Strawther, and Bolton, the Bulldogs also have transfer center Efton Reid from LSU. Coach Few will need one more starter. Will he continue with his three guards? If so, who will it be? Dominick Harris, Hunter Sallis, or Nolan Hickman. It doesn’t matter because they can all do the job.

I don’t know about you, but I’m excited about the 2022-23 season and finally getting that trophy. Until then, Zags Nation, please be safe and healthy out there.