No. 1 Gonzaga starting over after COVID-19 break

In a way, Mark Few feels like No. 1 Gonzaga is starting over.

The Bulldogs finally got back on the court to practice this week following a twoweek break due to COVID-19 cases within the program.

It looked like the first practice of the year to the Gonzaga head coach.

“We were able to get together last night. It looked like our first practice in the fall, balls going everywhere and people leaning over and grabbing their shorts because they were gassed,” Few said Thursday.

The Bulldogs haven’t played since Dec. 2, when they beat West Virginia in Indianapolis. Two days later, Gonzaga’s showdown with No. 2 Baylor was abruptly canceled just a couple of hours before tip-off after one player and one staff member in the Bulldogs program tested positive for COVID-19.

That led to a complete shutdown of the Bulldogs program and the cancellation of four home games.

“I just tell you this is probably, in the 20 years I’ve been coaching, the biggest challenge I’ve faced as a head coach,” Few said.

Gonzaga (3-0) opened the season spending more than a week on the road in Florida and Indiana for games against Kansas, Auburn and West Virginia. The matchup with Baylor was going to be the showcase event for the early portion of the college basketball schedule.

The Bulldogs may still get an early showcase game. They’re scheduled to return to the court Saturday against No. 3 Iowa in a game scheduled in Sioux Falls, S.D.

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