Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: Early look at Bulldogs 2020-21 roster with Jalen Suggs

By Tristan Freeman

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: Jalen Suggs #1 of Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks looks on after the game against the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers at Target Center on January 04, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - JANUARY 04: Jalen Suggs #1 of Minnehaha Academy Red Hawks looks on after the game against the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers at Target Center on January 04, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OREGON – JANUARY 02: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON – JANUARY 02: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Projected frontcourt rotation for 2020-21 season

Starters: Filip Petrusev and Drew Timme

If he does return next season, Petrusev will be a heavy favorite for next year’s WCC Player of the Year and an All-American candidate. He has his flaws but is already one of the best post scorers in the country. The Serbian big man is highly effective down low with a soft touch and is a good rebounded and passer. Not as good as Domantas Sabonis but is the go-to player for the Bulldogs when they need a bucket.

Timme’s playing time fluctuates in close games when Coach Mark Few leans in on Petrusev and Tillie in clutch time but the 6’10 big man has been a plus-player whenever he’s on the court. A sound defender who can score as well, Timme has been productive as a freshman and should have his own breakout campaign next year as well.

Reserves: Oumar Ballo, Anton Watson, Pavel Zakharov

Both Petrusev and Timme are interchangeable at the forward positions but Ballo is a clear center who plays in the paint. He’ll get 10-15 minutes (more if he shows real promise early on) and should be paired with Petresev mostly to keep the offensive balance. Watson can play with anyone and has been as good as you can ask for this season, dealing with an ankle and reoccurring shoulder injury that could end his season at any time. The 6’8 forward is clearly skilled and even hurt, is a real defender. But it’s clear that both his confidence and overall development for this season has been hampered with the injury.

That leaves Zakharov, a 6’10 freshman ranked in the top-60 coming in. He hasn’t played outside of garbage time due to the depth the team has. But neither did Petrusev, who sat behind Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke last season. He clearly has a lot to work on in the next 10 months to garner a rotation spot on the team next year and if certain things happen on the recruiting trail, could be a transfer candidate this offseason.