Gonzaga Bulldogs could be unstoppable in 2020-21
2020-21 is shaping up to be another banner year for Gonzaga basketball.
In 20 years, Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few has coached some great teams. Last year’s squad were favorites to win the NCAA Tournament before all sports shut down for the coronavirus outbreak. The momentum continues, Few’s 2020-21 team may be his best yet.
From last season’s top six scorers, three are eligible to return this year. Junior forward Corey Kispert 13.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game) as well as sophomores Filip Petrusev (17.5, 7.9, 1.5), and Joel Ayayi (10.6, 6.3, 8.2) can be the veteran leaders of an NCAA juggernaut.
Unfortunately, all three have declared for the NBA Draft. So far, none of them has hired an agent, remaining eligible to return to school. The deadline to pull out of the draft is less than two months away, on August 3.
Ayayi shows up every now and then in mock drafts. Petrusev and Kispert do not. Each member of the trio can improve his draft stock with another good year at Gonzaga. Additionally, they can do something no other Zags team ever has. As a preseason first or second-ranked team, Gonzaga is once again among the favorites to win the school’s first national title.
More super sophs
Rising sophomore forward Drew Timme earned his way into Few’s rotation last season. He played in every game, with an average of 20.5 minutes, 9.8 points, and 5.4 rebounds per contest. Expect Timme to replace Killian Tille’s production in the frontcourt. His scoring and rebound totals should significantly increase with more minutes this year.
Another rising soph is also due to see increased playing time. Local product Anton Watson, from Gonzaga Prep, was limited by injuries as a freshman. As he plays his way back into shape after season-ending shoulder surgery in January, Watson can be a difference-maker as the sixth man.
Five-star frosh
Add Jalen Suggs to the cadre of returning stars. The five-star recruit ranks among the top ten incoming freshmen in college basketball. He committed to the Zags in January. A natural point guard, Suggs can step right in to fill the void left by the graduating Ryan Woolridge. He is explosive to the hoop but is also known as a team-first player. Suggs has an excellent feel for the game with a knack for making the right decisions on the floor.
There is still a decent chance Suggs may go overseas to play professional basketball while waiting to become eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft. Of course, money is important to everyone. He may learn more, however, by playing for Mark Few, whom Suggs said was the best coach in college basketball.
If Few can hold on to his players, 2020-21 has the potential to be Gonzaga’s best season ever.
How do you feel about Gonzaga’s outlook for the 2020-21 season? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.