ZAGS 360: Week 1 and the Gonzaga Bulldogs are back better than ever

Teresa Powe   |  

Nov 15, 2021

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The Gonzaga Bulldogs are back and better than ever. This week the Bulldogs took on the Dixie State Trailblazers and the Texas Longhorns. They start the season undefeated making it 53-0 at home since January 2018.

The Bulldogs are back and better. Their ball-handling, their Timme. All back and all better. This week Gonzaga welcomed the Dixie State Trailblazers and the Texas Longhorns to Spokane. I won’t name names, but there were those in my circle who thought the Zags would have a tough time with the Longhorns…not so. So here’s a look at the first two games of the new Gonzaga season.

Gonzaga Bulldogs 97 – Dixie State Trailblazers 63

The Bulldogs picked up where they left off in the regular season. There may not be a Terrifying Trio this season, but Coach Mark Few has put together a Terryifing Team! Although he didn’t coach this particular game, the team was no less scary.

Drew Timme is more defensive at the rim, and you can see his leadership. He led this team to an impressive win over Dixie State with 11 points and four rebounds. However, he still has to work on his rebounding.

Julian Strawther showed a glimpse of what he could do last season when Jalen Suggs had too many fouls. Strawther plays hard. He stuck it out, waiting for his turn. Julian scored all of his 17 points in the second half. He ended the night by adding ten rebounds (six offensive) and two steals.

The new kid on the block is very quiet. Quiet and deadly. Chet Holmgren, the highest-ranked recruit to grace the Kennel floor, barely had to jump to dunk the ball. He’s not afraid to scrap in the paint, and he has a good basketball I.Q. He contributed 14 points, 13 rebounds, and seven blocks. Yes, seven blocks. Will he be the number one draft pick in June 2022?

Everyone who played contributed in one way or another. The new guys are confident and play as Gonzaga Bulldogs play. To win! Nolan Hickman is very confident, giving his team 11 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Rasir Bolton is someone to watch. He is great beyond the arc, shooting three of four from outside. He was one of the high scorers with 15 points and three rebounds.

Gonzaga Bulldogs 86 – Texas Longhorns 74

The Number 5 Texas Longhorns are the highest-ranked school to ever play at the Kennel. Lots of folks held their breath during this contest. After what happened with Baylor in the NCAA Tournament Final, this game would test Gonzaga’s mettle. Many wondered if the Zags could win against a more challenging non-conference opponent. The answer is yes.

Drew Timme scored a career-high 37 points! The Longhorns looked as though they could do nothing once he was in the paint. Timme was a monster, scoring 22 points in the first half alone. The Gonzaga Bulldogs are 17-0 when Timme scores twenty plus points. Along with his 37 points, Timme added seven rebounds.

Rasir Bolton, I like this kid! He showed what he could do in the game against Dixie State, and in this contest, Bolton showed he paid attention during practice. Bolton threw up a half-court shot at the end of the first half and made it at the buzzer. Remind you of anyone? Bolton added another 13 points to this win with three rebounds and one block.

Texas fought hard and made a comeback in the second half. Gonzaga however didn’t allow the lead to go under double-digits. More than individual stats, it was a team win. A terrifying team. A team that wants to win it all and shows it by making the needed changes.

What’s next?

On Monday, 11/15, the Zags will face the Alcorn State Braves (0-3), and on Friday, 11/19, the Bellarmine Knights (0-2). Neither team should pose a threat to the Zags but know that Gonzaga will be ready.

Next week should be another great show of Gonzaga’s defense, superior ball-handling, and confidence. It is so good to have Gonzaga Men’s Basketball back. Let’s go Zags!