Gonzaga Basketball: Why the 2021-22 Bulldogs will be even better than last season

Returning Players

Gonzaga may have lost Jalen Suggs, Corey Kispert, and Joel Ayayi from their team but they were still able to retain Andrew Nembhard, who would be a starter on almost every team in the country and would get a lion’s share of the minutes anywhere he was to play. He is back to run the offense and is going to lead a potent offense that is likely going to be near the top of many offense rankings again this year.

Anton Watson is another player who returns this season and may be one of the most important players for Gonzaga every time they step on the floor. Watson doesn’t score a ton but he brings a toughness and defensive presence in the paint that not many others can provide. He is a huge boost to Gonzaga whenever he comes into a game even when he is not scoring. When he doesn’t play it is noticeable on the defensive end for the Bulldogs.

The last contributor returning may be the biggest one in the country as this player is one that many have as the preseason Player of the Year in Drew Timme. Timme is an extremely skilled big man who can hit shots from anywhere, he can rebound and he plays good enough defense.

I know the narrative is that he doesn’t perform well against other really good big men, but do yourself a favor and go look at his numbers against other really good big men and then forget about that narrative because it simply isn’t true.

Timme is the player to beat for the Wooden award and he is likely going to win it. TImme is the best returning player in the country and much like Luka Garza last season Timme has this award pretty well wrapped up already.

In addition to the three returning players, Gonzaga has a ton of really quality depth returning as well. Dominick Harris, Julian Strawther, and Ben Gregg are three players who were all extremely highly ranked recruits and didn’t get much playing time last year. Those three guys are going to factor into the rotation at some point next year and are going to put their stamp on a Bulldogs’ victory.

Gregg left high school early and enrolled at Gonzaga after Christmas. He forced out Oumar Ballo and is going to serve in a backup role this year but is likely going to be one of the better players in the West Coast Conference.