NCAA Basketball: Analyzing the 4 teams in 2020 Phil Knight Invitational
By Andy Patton
Phil Knight Invitational participant – Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are losing at least three key contributors from last year’s squad, Killian Tillie, Ryan Woolridge, and Admon Gilder, and could lose as many as three more with Filip Petrusev, Joel Ayayi and Corey Kispert all currently in the NBA Draft pool.
Even with the potential turnover, the Zags are heavily being considered preseason favorites for the 2020-2021 season. Why?
Well, the 2020 recruiting class is the best in school history, with guards Dominick Harris and Jalen Suggs and forward Julian Strawther, AKA the Tricky Trio, expected to all contribute meaningful minutes in year one.
Suggs, in particular, is almost certainly going to be the second one-and-done in school history, behind Zach Collins, after committing to the Zags instead of going pro overseas or even pursuing an opportunity to play both basketball and football at numerous prestigious universities.
The trio of freshmen will be joined by big man Drew Timme, who is poised for a massive breakout, as well as forward Anton Watson, who missed most of his freshman season with a shoulder injury. Add in redshirt big man Oumar Ballo, who missed last year due to academic ineligibility, and you have a formidable, albeit young, core of six very talented players.
If that’s what Gonzaga is bringing next year, along with graduate transfer Aaron Cook, they will be good. Maybe not final four good, but good. If they also bring back all three of Ayayi, Kispert, and Petrusev, which is increasingly likely, then they are arguably the deepest, most talented team in the entire country.