Gonzaga pulls off a narrow win over Arizona State, 88-80

The Zags are again within the Kennel, child! Gonzaga eeks out a slim win of their dwelling opener over a scrappy (and underrated?) ASU squad, 88-80. Like acupuncture, that recreation was scary and solely felt good as soon as it was over.

After an absolute drubbing of the Baylor Bears, the Bulldogs may need felt they’d already made their early-season assertion and will cruise towards an ASU staff that went 14-18 final season. What they failed to contemplate, nonetheless, is that ASU coach Bobby Hurley is an unimaginable recruiter, and this isn’t the identical ASU staff. In no way. The noise of the Kennel and the narratives surrounding this yr’s Gonzaga staff didn’t appear to faze the ASU Solar Devils, who repeatedly refused to roll over and keep down.

The Zags ultimately scraped collectively an 8-point win because of sturdy performances from Khalif Battle, Ryan Nembhard, and Braden Huff, but it surely’s exhausting to go away that recreation feeling just like the post-Baylor jubilation was 100% justified. Most of the strengths that shone towards Baylor (unimaginable bench depth, scoring versatility, distinctive rebounding) had been nonetheless on show towards ASU. Different areas, nonetheless, had been notably missing (perimeter protection, inside protection, crisp defensive rotations, transition protection, protection with out fouling, and so on.). The Zags in the end clutched this one from the jaws of defeat, but it surely wasn’t fairly, and so they’ll have to play significantly better towards Kentucky, San Diego State, and UConn to justify their rating.

First Half

It was a lackluster opening half for the Bulldogs’ beginning 5. Hickman, Battle, and Nembhard had been a mixed 4-13 from the sector and 0-6 from deep. Ike regarded uncomfortable with ASU’s size, leading to some sloppy ball management on one finish and foolish fouls on the opposite. Gregg was held scoreless regardless of getting beauty from deep and was getting run ragged attempting to defend ASU’s distinctive ball motion on the perimeter.

The depth and ability of the Bulldog bench stored the ship afloat. Huff, Stromer, and Ajayi got here off the bench to outscore all starters 23 to fifteen on 10-17 capturing (3-5 from three) by the tip of the primary half. Ajayi grabbed 9 rebounds (he would end with 12 whole), and Huff made a powerful case for himself to earn beginning minutes as he carved up ASU within the screen-and-roll.

The rating was tied at halftime, and whereas the Zags had gained some momentum towards the tip of the primary half, it was clear they’d want a way more impressed second-half efficiency on each ends to win their dwelling opener.

Second Half

They had been capable of muster precisely half of that. The sport’s second half was a narrative of Gonzaga’s distinctive offense competing towards its lack of ability to play protection. Time after time, the Bulldogs would pull off an unimaginable offensive play—a giant three from Battle, an alley-oop slam to Huff, a fast driving layup from Hickman—solely to interrupt down defensively on the opposite finish of the ground (a foolish foul by Battle, poor rim safety from Huff, a blown perimeter task by Hickman, and so on).

This poor protection was particularly irritating after the lockdown precision glimpsed towards Baylor. Followers had practically per week of considering Gonzaga’s protection may need turned a nook this yr, solely to observe them get torched from outdoors and blown by for straightforward layups by an ASU staff constructed with transfers and freshmen. I’m selecting to imagine the defensive points we noticed on this recreation (slightly than the Baylor recreation) had been the precise fluke, and that because the season progresses, we’ll see a return to the poised defensive efficiency from a couple of days in the past. However I’ll want a bigger pattern measurement to say so with confidence.

Fortuitously, the second half was additionally a narrative of ASU competing towards its personal youth and immaturity, as fouls and poor shot choice prevented them from constructing the form of momentum vital to go away McCarthy with a uncommon W. They regarded like a promising staff with a number of inexperience to work by means of. True freshman Jayden Quaintance, the highest-ranking recruit in ASU historical past, was held to 9 factors and one rebound. Although he had some highlight-reel defensive performs and showcased elite athleticism, he was saddled with foul hassle and spent lengthy stretches of the second half on the bench. Freshman Joson Sanon was equally held to a few factors and one help.

Basheer Jihad, nonetheless, performed out of his thoughts, ending with 22 factors and 10 rebounds whereas capturing 7-7 from the free-throw line. The Zags had no reply for the 6’9” senior switch from Ball State, and with out his stalwart protection and stellar one-on-one offense, this recreation wouldn’t have been notably shut.

Gamers of the Recreation

It was as soon as once more the electrifying play of Khalif Battle that helped the Bulldogs take off within the second half. Battle completed with 19 factors on 50% capturing and went 8-8 from the road—an unimaginable stat line. Much more spectacular, he scored all 19 factors within the second half alone. The alley-oop from Nembhard deserves a re-assessment…

Ryan Nembhard as soon as once more regarded like a new-and-improved model of himself. He completed along with his regular 10+ assists but in addition performed extra aggressively on offense, attending to the road in key moments and hitting an enormous three-pointer from deep to present the Zags a much-needed enhance.

However it was Braden Huff who stepped up probably the most for the Bulldogs. Huff led all scorers with 21 factors in 26 minutes off the bench (Ike performed 14 minutes at middle). He regarded unstoppable across the rim and displayed an Olajuwon-esque smooth contact along with his fadeaway hook shot. His distinctive size, nice arms, and chemistry with Nembhard within the excessive screen-and-roll appear to be computerized factors for the Zags already and except Ike can flip issues round in a rush there will likely be dialog available over who deserves these beginning minutes.

Why We Gained / What It Means

Gonzaga was capable of pull this one out as a result of they’d what final yr’s staff lacked: depth. With Hickman struggling to attach and Ike getting bullied within the publish, final yr’s staff would have been uncovered as missing an actual Plan B. This yr, nonetheless, a number of gamers can step up. When issues obtained tight down the stretch, it was Huff’s scoring and Ajayi’s protection that stored the Bulldogs going. Once they wanted buckets rapidly, Nembhard and Battle answered the decision.

Protection stays a piece in progress for this yr’s staff, and so they received’t make it previous the Candy 16 with the protection they confirmed towards ASU. That stated, the depth this yr presents extra assets for turning issues round. It’s nonetheless early within the season, and it’s thrilling to suppose there’s a lot room for progress.