Zags 360: Can the Gonzaga Bulldogs have another undefeated season?
Last season the Gonzaga Bulldogs were undefeated until the NCAA Final. Then they ran into the Baylor Bears. Will this season be different? Can they take it all?
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have already been rated No. 1 in the AP Top 25 preseason. So is an undefeated run in the cards again this year? As a super fan, I don’t know if my heart can take it. Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Joel Ayayi are now in the NBA. With the new additions, it seems we could be in for some more excitement and heart-stopping basketball. Let’s take a look at the season to come.
The Players
Returning: Drew Timme was awarded the Karl Malone award last season and is ready to lead this squad. Andrew Nembhard, Anton Watson, Dominick Harris, Julian Strawther, and Martynas Ariauskas were all important to Gonzaga’s undefeated ride. Will these returning Gonzaga Bulldogs mix with the new players to form an undefeated team?
Freshmen: Gonzaga signed the ESPN No. 1 ranked player, Chet Holmgren. Holmgren is a 7′ center who has been garnering awards during the offseason as the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup MVP and a FIBA U19 All-Star team member. The Zags also signed No.16 ranked Hunter Sallis, #24 Nolan Hickman, and No. 64 Kaden Perry.
.@ChetHolmgren named to the @Hoophall #AbdulJabbarAward Watch List
📰Press Release: https://t.co/S0lKXt9svV pic.twitter.com/yfmL7NaTEz— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) October 22, 2021
Transfer: Guard Rashir Bolton transferred from Iowa State.
Walk-ons: These are non-scholarship players. Colby Brooks, Abe Eagle, Joe Few, and Matthew Lang. Don’t expect to see these players as walk-ons don’t generally get to play.
The Schedule
This season’s schedule was made a little harder for the Gonzaga Bulldogs as they face some tough non-conference teams. Including UCLA, the team they defeated with a sensational three-point buzzer-beater shot by Jalen Suggs. In addition, the Zags will also be playing Dixie State, Texas, Alcorn State, Bellarmine, Central Michigan, and Duke. Let’s hope these teams will help them when facing tough non-conference teams in the NCAA tournament.
Coach Few
Coach Mark Few was arrested for a DUI in September. As a result, Gonzaga University suspended him for three games, including two exhibition games and the season opener against Dixie State. Few pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence to avoid four days of jail time and paid a $1,000 fine.
I hope that members of the Gonzaga community do not judge Coach Few harshly. In my eyes, Mark Few is a humanitarian. Every year he and his wife Marcy raised over tens of millions of dollars for cancer. In 2014 they raised $25 million. Few and his wife were awarded the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame Nell and John Wooden Coaching Achievement Award in 2008.
Related Story: Updated Gonzaga basketball schedule with times and TV.
That was a bite-sized picture of the upcoming season. I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait! See you soon when ZAGS 360 starts its regular Monday posts beginning November 8. Stay safe out there!