Gonzaga is the ultimate difference between what the metrics say and what a resume looks like. They have a top-10 NET ranking in most metrics, which is why they’re in the NCAA Tournament because their best wins to this point are to Baylor and Indiana, which is why they’re closer to the bubble than a lock.
After losing to Saint Mary’s on the road, the Bulldogs fell to 0-7 in games decided by seven or fewer points. It put them behind three games in the WCC standings, with the defense being a massive issue, including up 200 points in losses to Oregon State and Santa Clara back-to-back.
They told me Emmanuel Innocenti wouldn't find minutes. They said he'd be cut out of the rotation. Since he's been given 15+ minutes per game, he's had 8 steals and 1 turnover over 7 games. He's an Italian hero! pic.twitter.com/7JUJD85g1N
— House of Krause (@hokcbb) February 16, 2025
That forced Coach Mark Few to change the lineups and overall rotation, with no one safe outside of point guard Ryan Nembhard. One move he made was adding Emmanuel Innocenti, a 6’5 sophomore guard/wing and transfer from Tarleton State, who played very little in the first half of the season, to the starting lineup.
Gonzaga has looked like a very different team ever since Emmanuel Innocenti has played a more prominent role as an off-ball bench guard.
— Joe Budzelek (@stf_ncaa) February 18, 2025
An All-WAC Defensive Team selection last year, the sophomore is a huge boost defensively for the Bulldogs. https://t.co/t6Z3XxEaGO
Gonzaga didn’t need any offense but what they did need was a defensive boost. As an All-WAC Defender in his first year, Innocenti was able to add a spark on that end. And statistically, it has worked, with the Bulldogs allowing just 61.5 ppg in the last four games. Averaging around 20 mpg, Innocenti has scored just 11 total points in that span but it has been the defense and overall effort that he’s brought that has allowed the WCC juggernaut to potentially turn the corner.
Gonzaga’s Mark Few on Emmanuel Innocenti's impact: “I think he’s just a ball mover. Gets us extra possessions. He’s really rounding into a good player and really helping us when he’s out on the floor.”https://t.co/nKFVE0L2zc pic.twitter.com/EbvlDUhWB3
— Gonzaga Bulldogs On SI (@GonzagaOnSI) February 18, 2025
The Bulldogs have four very tough games to close out the regular season, at home versus Saint Mary’s and a trio of road games, starting with at Washington State on Wednesday. We’ll see if Coach Few continues to play Innocenti against the elevated competition, but right now, it looks like the move is paying off for the team.