What to look for next year from Gonzaga,
GLENDALE, ARIZ . Though Gonzaga’s first trip to the Final Four was a long time coming, its second might not be too far behind. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see the Bulldogs right back in the Final Four next season, as its roster is well positioned to make the transition into a slightly new era.
Gonzaga coach Mark Few has repeatedly said the most underappreciated aspect of his current team is how well so many new pieces came together so quickly. Barring a surprise defection, that won’t be the case going forward as Gonzaga is set to return three starters, including West Coast Conference player of the year Nigel Williams- Goss, guard Josh Perkins and defensive force Johnathan Williams III at power forward. Sixth man Silas Melson, who shot 39% from the three-point line, also will return.
If 7-footer Zach Collins chooses to come back for a sophomore year, when he would move into the starting lineup in place of graduating Przemek Karnowski, Gonzaga could even be in the conversation for preseason No. 1 heading into 2017-18. Though it’s certainly possible Collins will want to return for an expanded role and another chance at the national title, the conventional wisdom is he will go ahead and cash in on his potential in the NBA draft, where many analysts project him to go somewhere between 15 and 20.
Collins and Karnowski departing certainly would leave a hole in the frontcourt for the Zags, who will also lose sharpshooter Jordan Mathews, a one-year rental for them as a graduate transfer from California.
Fortunately for Gonzaga, its reputation in recruiting and developing international players should continue to pay dividends. Killian Tillie, a 6-10 freshman from France, has been firmly in the rotation this season at 12.3 minutes per game. He’ll certainly be asked to step up to a larger role. The Zags also got a glimpse this season of Rui Hachimura, a 6-8 forward from Japan who spent much of the year adapting to the culture and language while playing 4.6 minutes per game. Jacob Larsen, who came over from Denmark, spent the year as a redshirt because of a knee injury but had high major-college offers and will provide size at 6-11.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga will add two fourstar recruits to its rotation next season in shooting guard Zach Norvell, who is already on campus but spent the year as a redshirt, and swingman Corey Kispert.
The Zags won’t lack for talent, but if Collins leaves, they’ll also have a scholarship available to perhaps get in on the graduate transfer market if any obvious needs pop up.
While Gonzaga’s frontcourt will certainly have questions to answer next season, its backcourt will be as steady and experienced as anybody’s in the country. Though another one-loss regular season shouldn’t be expected, the Zags will be right in the mix to get to San Antonio next year.