Busting Brackets
Fansided

Gonzaga basketball: Analyzing 2020-21 frontcourt without Filip Petrusev

By Andy Patton

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 18: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs battles for control of a loose ball against Zac Seljass #2 of the BYU Cougars in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center on January 18, 2020 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 18: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs battles for control of a loose ball against Zac Seljass #2 of the BYU Cougars in the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center on January 18, 2020 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 04: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 04: Drew Timme #2 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /

Drew Timme

The loss of Petrusev can really be summed up by two words for the Zags in 2020-2021 – “Timme time”.

Drew Timme is the next great Gonzaga big man, poised to follow in the footsteps of many others who have broken out in their second season with the Zags.

One could argue Timme already broke out in 2019-2020 after he averaged 9.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 blocks per game in 20.5 minutes per game coming off the bench.

He shot a blistering 61.8% from the field, demonstrating an absolutely elite ability to finish around the rim, often getting easy dunks off rebounds or even out on the break – another area he excelled.

While it’s hard to imagine Timme replicating Petrusev’s 17 points and eight rebounds per game, he may actually be a better fit for what Gonzaga wants to do in 2020-2021.

Jalen Suggs will be the focal point of the offense, an offense that figures to get out in transition even more with Suggs and Joel Ayayi, along with graduate transfer Aaron Cook and freshman Dominick Harris, handling the ball.

Timme has proven capable of getting out on the break, and he’s more capable of knocking down a 15-foot jumper or even a three-pointer if called upon. This should open up the lane for Suggs and Ayayi on offense, giving Gonzaga even more room to work with.

Timme is also a more capable defensive big man than Petrusev, with good footwork, physicality, and timing on his shot-blocking.

All told, the Zags will recover without Petrusev just fine with Timme stepping into what should be a huge, potentially NBA creating a role for the sophomore in 2020-2021.