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Gonzaga Basketball: 2019-20 season preview for the Bulldogs

By Lukas Harkins

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 23: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on during their game against the Baylor Bears in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 23: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on during their game against the Baylor Bears in the Second Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 23, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Kispert of the Bulldogs reacts. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – MARCH 23: Kispert of the Bulldogs reacts. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Projected Backcourt Starters

Ryan Woolridge | 6-foot-3 | 175 lbs | Senior

There might not be a player in the country filling bigger shoes than Ryan Woolridge this year. The former North Texas guard is hoping to replace Josh Perkins, one of the best point guards to ever take the court in Spokane and that will be incredibly difficult. It is not reasonable to expect that Woolridge will be a perfect replacement but he should be a strong floor general during his final collegiate season. Although not a tremendous perimeter threat, Woolridge excels in up-tempo systems and attacks the basket with the best of them.

He should be a strong leader in Gonzaga’s scheme with his driving and passing abilities. Additionally, Woolridge does a superb job reading passing lanes and coming away with deflections on the defensive end. He averaged 12.2 points (.484/.325/.533), 5.5 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game over his last two seasons with North Texas as a full-time starter. Woolridge is taking a leap in level of competition so his numbers will not be as strong but he should be a capable leader.

Admon Gilder | 6-foot-4 | 200 lbs | Senior

Alongside Woolridge in the backcourt will likely be another incoming graduate transfer in Admon Gilder. A true shooting guard with tremendous 3-point shooting ability, Gilder should be a dynamic scorer from the opening tip during this coming season. He also does a nice job taking his defender off the dribble when necessary. As a full-time starter for Texas A&M over the past two seasons, Gilder posted strong averages of 13.0 points (.442/.385/.778), 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.

Gilder is also a harassing perimeter defender that will likely cover the opponent’s top scorer night in and night out. He should pair extremely well with his former middle-school teammate in Woolridge and their long-time relationship is a fun note about Gonzaga’s projected starting backcourt. Gilder already has plenty of experience playing at the high-major level and his experience will be vital to the team’s success. He should be one of the top scoring options on the team.

Corey Kispert | 6-foot-7 | 220 lbs | Junior

One of the lone returning upperclassmen for Gonzaga, Corey Kispert looks poised to reprise his role as a full-time starter while also taking on more responsibility as a scorer and leader. The 6-foot-7 swingman is a strong perimeter threat and above-average rebounder for his position. Although not one of the top offensive options for the Bulldogs last season, Kispert still managed to post efficient averages of 8.0 points (.437/.374/.875) and 4.1 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game.

With regard to this coming campaign, Kispert will be asked to be a key scorer for the team. Gonzaga’s offense performed at an elite level last season and that will be tough to replicate without several players taking leaps in their overall production. Kispert is already a proven offensive threat with the ability to score at all three levels. It is now Kispert’s time to shine and he could be Gonzaga’s leading scorer this year.