Gonzaga Basketball: 5 takeaways from 2022-23 non-conference campaign

1. Drew Timme’s case for National Player of the Year

Because Gonzaga Basketball isn’t blowing teams out much this season, that’s forced the senior center to remain out there longer than he’s ever had, averaging 33 mpg. But that has also allowed Timme to produce career-high stats of 22.3 ppg and 8.3 rpg on an efficient 64% shooting from the field. And his passing is at an all-time high as well with 3.3 apg.

Outside of nine points in the loss to Baylor, Timme has had at least 16 points in every other game. That includes 22 points and seven rebounds against Kentucky, 29 and 17 versus Kent State, as well as 29 and 10 against Alabama. What might be most impressive is his seven games of at least four assists, helping with the ball-handling duties.

Timme’s offensive impact is second-none in NCAA Basketball and is virtually unstoppable one-on-one in the post. Without Chet Holmgren next to him and instead, Anton Watson, who isn’t as much of a scoring threat, the numbers for the Bulldog veteran have exploded. And now, he enters a WCC that doesn’t have any kind of interior resistance for him.

There’s a really good chance that Timme averages 20+ ppg the rest of the way, giving him All-American numbers. And if centers Zach Edey and Adama Sanogo see their numbers drop and lose games in league play, that’ll open up the opportunity for the star Gonzaga center to make a move for the top individual award.