The Gonzaga Bulldogs wrapped up their pre-Christmas schedule with an 86-65 victory over Bucknell on Saturday evening within the Kennel, a recreation that marked a step ahead in lots of areas but additionally highlighted some nagging inconsistencies. It was an evening of return-to-form performances from some veterans, and another moments which may make Zags followers chunk their nails heading right into a marquee matchup towards UCLA.
First, the Good Information:
Graham Ike was an absolute pressure, placing up 25 factors and 10 rebounds in simply 20 minutes. The massive man appeared each bit just like the powerhouse the Zags know him to be. This was Ike at his offensive finest, utilizing his measurement to create space within the paint and ending with finesse. His bounce shot appears a lot improved, even when his struggles to attain by way of contact and go out of double-teams persist.
Ben Gregg continued his much-needed resurgence with 15 factors off the bench, drilling 3 wide-open triples and offering Gonzaga a significant spark in key, momentum-grabbing moments. Ryan Nembhard additionally did precisely what he’s come to be identified for doing: keping all the pieces transferring in the best course. He contributed 9 factors, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. But, his 4 turnovers (following 5 towards Nicholls State) function a reminder that this group’s ball safety wants work—particularly with UCLA’s tenacious protection respiration down the Bulldogs’ collective necks.
Nolan Hickman deserves a nod, too. After some lackluster outings in latest weeks, he turned it up within the second half, ending with 14 factors on 50% taking pictures from deep. His management, focus, and persistence helped Gonzaga shake off a sluggish first half, and after a few uncharacteristically tough video games, his taking pictures contact appears to lastly be returning.
Opening Woes
The primary half felt like Gonzaga had set issues on cruise management, just some mph below the pace restrict. The power to open the sport was a bit flat as soon as once more, and Bucknell’s half-court protection proved to be way more energetic than maybe the Zags had been ready for. Hopefully these sluggish begins don’t turn out to be a development. 4 of Gonzaga’s main exterior shooters—Stromer, Nembhard, Ajayi, and Battle—mixed to shoot 2-9 from past the arc within the first half, maybe a credit score to Bucknell’s protection or simply the generalized exhaustion many guys appeared to be enjoying by way of.
Ajayi had a tough evening throughout, going scoreless on 0-4 taking pictures from deep and never even making an attempt a shot contained in the perimeter. In the meantime, Bucknell’s Noah Williamson and Joe Basco saved the Bison afloat, combining for 30 of Bucknell’s 65 factors. It was just about these two alone who saved the Bison from falling out of rivalry fully. If not for Gonzaga’s offensive dominance inside and second half defensive changes, this recreation may have been a lot nearer than the rating indicated.
Second-Half Turnaround
The Bulldogs got here out revitalized within the second half and commenced actually taking the sport to the Bison, turning a 10-point lead right into a 20-point cushion shortly, because of some fast scoring from Khalif Battle and an amped-up half-court protection on the opposite aspect of the ball.
Bucknell, to their credit score, saved chucking from deep to remain related, however Gonzaga’s depth and flexibility finally wore them down.
Perimeter scoring from the majority of Gonzaga’s backcourt stays a priority. Though Hickman discovered his contact within the second half, by the top of regulation, Stromer, Nembhard, Ajayi, and Battle had mixed to go 3-15 from deep. Nembhard hit simply 1 three-pointer towards Bucknell and has made a number of threes in solely 3 video games this season—and by no means greater than 2 in any recreation. That form of manufacturing can be problematic towards defenses like UCLA’s, which can be all too completely happy to sag off Gonzaga’s guards and clog the lanes.
Nembhard has additionally had a number of uncharacteristically poor outings by way of ball management, notching 4 turnovers towards Bucknell. That is proper on the heels of a 5-turnover efficiency towards Nicholls State. Whereas the Bison didn’t convert a lot on these free possessions, the UCLA Bruins’ aggressive perimeter protection may flip these errors into simple factors the opposite method.
Khalif Battle additionally supplied followers a number of chest-clutching moments of terror following a pair of arduous falls on performs on the basket. Battle likes to attract contact and he likes to play above the rim, and whereas his toughness isn’t in query, it’s truthful to marvel what number of hits like that he can take earlier than it begins affecting his availability.
Trying Forward
Towards Bucknell, Gonzaga appeared like a squad that’s been grinding by way of an absolute gauntlet in December and will use a breather to rejoice the vacations. Fortuitously, that’s precisely what they’re. If the Zags wish to make a press release earlier than the top of nonconference play, they’ll have to take advantage of their break day and proceed enhancing and cleansing issues in time for UCLA.
Which means fewer turnovers, sharper taking pictures from exterior, and an entire lot extra urgency from the opening tip. UCLA’s entire recreation plan is constructed round utilizing its protection to punish any lapses in judgement from the opposing offense, and their transition recreation will feast on sloppy ball-handling and lazy perimeter passing. Nevertheless, Gonzaga additionally compelled 19 turnovers towards Bucknell, and their very own defensive resurgence within the half-court may present the Bruins lots to deal with themselves.
Remaining Ideas
Saturday’s win wasn’t Gonzaga’s prettiest, nevertheless it as soon as once more confirmed flashes of what this group might be when firing on all cylinders. With Ike asserting himself within the put up, Gregg persevering with to step into a much bigger function, Nembhard dispensing simple buckets left and proper, and Hickman regaining his taking pictures contact, the items that Gonzaga constructed its season round final yr are all falling again into place. However for now, the main target shifts to UCLA—maybe the ultimate probability earlier than March for the Zags to show that they’re extra than simply potential and promise.
