Busting Brackets
Fansided

Gonzaga Basketball: Impact of landing both Ryan Nembhard and Graham Ike

By Tristan Freeman

Feb 18, 2023; Malibu, California, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few yells to his team during the first half Pepperdine Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2023; Malibu, California, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few yells to his team during the first half Pepperdine Waves at Firestone Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

What about Arizona?

While this is a Gonzaga-centered article, I do think it’s important to talk about Arizona and head coach Tommy Lloyd regarding the Nembhard sweepstakes. When the point guard entered the portal, crystal balls immediately went toward the Wildcats. However, in a classic “master vs pupil” battle, Coach Mark Few took down his former assistant in this recruitment.

In his first two seasons since taking over the program, Coach Lloyd has won a combined 61 games and gotten a pair of top seeds for the NCAA Tournament. They’ve gotten back to the top of both the Pac-12 and the west coast and should be a primed destination for transfers. Still, losing out to a WCC program that looked worst from a roster standpoint has to sting for the program and fan base.

After losing Kerr Kriisa early in the offseason, Arizona will likely be on the lookout for another ball-handler. They have a visit lined up with Latrell Wrightsell Jr., who averaged 16.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg at Cal State Fullerton. Whether they get him or not, all of the pressure will be on Kylan Boswell, a rising sophomore guard that has promise but is unproven in extended minutes.

The Wildcats also are going to be without leading scorer Azuolas Tubelis for next season but still has former Gonzaga center Oumar Ballo, along with guard Pelle Larsson. It’s still a top-15 caliber roster but they now have a hole or two to deal with going forward this offseason.