Gonzaga Basketball: Unleash Mark Few's Bulldogs

Gonzaga basketball has a more balanced roster entering the 2016-17 season.

Mark Few’s Gonzaga Bulldogs entered last season with one of the best front courts, if not the best front court, in all of college basketball.

Between the scoring of Kyle Wiltjer, power of Domantas Sabonis and defense of Przemek Karnowski (before he got injured), no opponent in the WCC could match their level of production.

The problem for the Bulldogs consisted in the backcourt, where the team had no Kevin Pangos, Gary Bell Jr. or Byron Wesley. They featured players that never contributed with major minutes and the most talented guard, Josh Perkins, was coming off a broken jaw that ended his freshman season.

Gonzaga improved over the course of the season and eventually made the Sweet 16, but the 2016-17 version of the Bulldogs will have a much more balanced roster. Few’s unit is deep, talented and supports a combination of youth and veteran returning players that can drastically impact a team in March.

In the painted area, Karnowski returns following his back surgery and will protect the rim and rebound. Former Missouri Tiger Johnathan Williams III is eligible after sitting out last season. He should give the Bulldogs athleticism and solid rebounding skills (he does need to improve his efficiency though).

Gonzaga has two seven footers with junior 7’1″ center Ryan Edwards joining Karnowski. Edwards doesn’t have much experience, but size is tough to come by at the college level and could make a difference in the WCC.

Four-star recruit Zach Collins is excellent in transition, has solid mobility and offers rim protection, while the Zags also add a trio of international forwards, Killian Tillie (Paris, France), Jacob Larsen (Denmark) and Rui Hachimura (Japan).

More from Busting Brackets

The backcourt is not an area of concern this season. Silas Melson and Perkins are back and should provide a major lift after the improvements and developments they made over the course of the 2015-16 year.

Washington transfer Nigel Williams-Goss is eligible and has good size, is a dynamic passer and can score the ball (15.6 points per game in his sophomore year with the Huskies).

But it doesn’t end there.

The Zags have shooting! Four-star guard Zach Norvell has a smooth release and can make shots consistently from the perimeter. Norvell can hit from the mid-range and is capable of drilling catch-and-shoot jumpers.

Most importantly, the Bulldogs are close to adding former California guard Jordan Mathews. The graduate transfer has experience and shot 42 percent from long range in his final season with the Golden Bears.

One problem for the Bulldogs is their hole at the three position. Their versatility can counteract that – they can play big and play a pinch of small ball – but they don’t exactly have the perfect match.

Is it possible for them to play Williams at the three? Did he improve his outside shot during his year off?

Is Mathews or Norvell capable of playing on the wing even though they might be a bit undersized? Can they go with three guards? And what about Hachimura and Tillie? Can they offer anything from day one or will there be a significant adjustment to the speed of the college game?

Overall, Gonzaga’s roster is much-improved and this may be one of Few’s most talented teams ever (especially if Mathews does indeed commit).

Next: Top five Big Ten/ACC Challenge games

They should win the WCC – although Saint Mary’s has talent and experience as well – and expect the Bulldogs to be in the mix for their first ever Final Four.

Gonzaga Basketball: Unleash Mark Few’s Bulldogs

By Carmine Carcieri | Jun 1, 2016

Gonzaga basketball has a more balanced roster entering the 2016-17 season.

More from Busting Brackets