Gonzaga Bulldogs: Timme, Strawther, Bolton return to chase National Championship

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Aug 4, 2022
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Drew Timme, Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Three of Coach Few’s top players from last season have returned. All hope the Gonzaga Bulldogs will bring the Championship home this time, the last time for them.

The old Welcome Back Kotter theme has been playing in my head non-stop. Welcome back, Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, and Rasir Bolton. Let’s go get this trophy Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Drew Timme

The return of Drew Timme almost guarantees the Zags will return to the Big Dance in March for the 24th time. He may not have Corey Kispert, Jalen Suggs, Chet Holmgren, or Andrew Nembhard with him, but when he hoists that trophy, Timme will carry all of the Gonzaga Bulldogs that fought so hard for it with him.

“Stache” is the Bulldogs’ magic ingredient. For the past two seasons, Timme has been a powerhouse in the West Coast Conference. He won WCC Player of the Year last season and is one of the best forwards in the country. Timme deserves to be there when the Gonzaga Bulldogs win their first Championship.

Drew averaged 18.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and shot 58.6% from the floor. As per Jeff Borzello of ESPN,

During Timme’s three seasons in Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga is 90-7, going to the national championship game in 2021 and receiving a 1-seed in both NCAA tournament appearances.

Rasir Bolton

Returning with Timme for his “fifth” year is Rasir Bolton. The sweet-shooting guard is taking advantage of an eligibility waiver given to players during the 2020-21 season because of the pandemic.

Bolton would grab a rebound, speed from one end of the floor to the other, and hit a pull-up three before any of the Bulldogs’ opponents knew what happened. “Speedy” averaged 11.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He shot 50.2% from the field, 46.0% from beyond the arc, and 81.7% from the line.

Julian Strawther

Rounding out the returning trio is Julian Strawther. Announcing his return to the Gonzaga Bulldogs with a tweet saying, “Spokane, let’s run it back,” Julian was last season’s “sure shot.” He averaged 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds. Strawther shot 49.8% from two, 36.5% from three, and 70.5% from the charity stripe.

Strawther’s athleticism was a great plus for the Gonzaga Bulldogs last season. He’ll work hard this year to improve his draft stock.

Returning players and new faces

Most likely, Coach Mark Few will return Timme, Bolton, and Strawther to their starting positions. Thankfully Few has kept his former bench players Anton Watson, Nolan Hickman, Hunter Sallis, and Dominick Harris. Which of them will Few add to his starting lineup? We’ll have to wait and see.

The Bulldogs welcomed two new players from the transfer portal into their fold. Efton Reid is a 6’11 center from LSU, and Malachi Smith out of Chattanooga is one of the top point guards in the country. Additionally, 6’9″ true freshman Braden Huff joins the team. These young men will be great additions to the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

See you next time when I check up on Gonzaga’s latest NBA players.

Until then, stay safe and healthy out there.

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