Gonzaga Basketball: Analyzing Bulldogs 2020-21 projected rotation

Centers

It’s Timme time in Spokane. Drew Timme excelled in a well-utilized backup role last season, averaging 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in 20 minutes of action behind Filip Petrusev.

Now, Timme is expected to be Gonzaga’s go-to on offense, and there’s little reason to doubt his ability to follow Petrusev’s example and become an All-American candidate in year two.

Timme is an efficient low-post scorer, demonstrating brute strength and agility under the basket, using a variety of low-post moves which helped lead to a 62.3% field goal percentage on two-point shots.

We’ve seen glimpses of a mid-range jumper as well, and it’s not out of the question the big man could extend all the way to the three-point line this season – making him an absolutely lethal offensive player.

Timme will be a huge part of the offense in 2020-21, but it will be up to Oumar Ballo, nicknamed ‘Baby Shaq’, to step into his old role as the valuable backup center.

Ballo has a tremendous wingspan and excellent athleticism, which should make him a good offensive player in time. For now, however, his expected contribution is primarily on the defensive side of the ball, where he could easily develop into one of the best shot-blockers in Gonzaga history – especially when he learns how to control his footwork.

Timme and Ballo will soak up 90% of the minutes at the five, but don’t discount rising sophomore Pavel Zakharov either. Zakharov showed glimpses of being a more than capable backup center last season, and he could easily step into a slightly increased role this year – priming him for a potential breakout in 2021-2022.