2021 Basketball Preview

Gonzaga’s mix of savvy veterans and wildly talented newcomers eager to try to deliver the program’s first national crown

COLLEGE BASKETBALL 2021-22 Pictured: Gonzaga standouts Drew Timme, left, and Andrew Nembhard.

STARTING WITH THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS

Among Gonzaga’s Top 20-ranked recruits over the past 20 years, nine of them are on the current roster, with three in the top five.

PAGE 7

PHOTO BY COLIN MULVANY THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

EXCITED FOR CHANGES IN THE MENU The rebuilding Gonzaga women were picked second in the WCC, but senior Melody Kempton is eager to prove doubters wrong.

PAGE 10

HELP ARRIVES ON A SILVER PLATTER

As highest-ranked recruit in GU women’s history, the versatile Bree Salenbien ready to step in wherever her team needs.

PAGE 11

COUGARS READY FOR THE MAIN COURSE

After securing big signature wins and some promising recruits, WSU hope the next step will be an NCAA Tournament berth.

PAGE 15

ALSO: ZAGS EAGER FOR SOME HOME COOKIN’ WITH KENNEL CROWDS BACK IN FULL FORCE 8-9 Contact Sports Editor Ralph Walter at: (509) 459-5471; fax (509) 744-5655; ralphw@spokesman.com

S2 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

3-12 13-15 16 17 18-19 GONZAGA

DINING WITH THE ZAGS

WSU

IDAHO

EWU

Gonzaga players dish on guilty pleasures, favorite foods and family recipes Go-to food after a practice or game: From the team meal that’s served to us, our chicken and rice with a little hot sauce.

Favorite family recipe: I love my mom’s nachos. She made them once for my birthday, and now they’re a tradition. They’re special because it’s my birthday.

By Don Chareunsy

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Wheaties has been a longtime breakfast of champions, but for Gonzaga’s current top-tier men’s and women’s basketball players, meals extend beyond mornings.

The following players answered questions during a photo shoot Oct. 28 on campus:

Melody Kempton

Andrew Nembhard

Favorite food: My favorite food is Jamaican food – rice and peas and jerk chicken.

Guilty pleasure food: Ice cream, for sure – Oreo ice cream.

Go-to food after a practice or game: Chicken, steak, mashed potatoes and Caesar salad are probably my go-tos.

Favorite family recipe: One hundred percent, my mom makes these chocolate chip cookies. They are elite, and everyone in the family always asks for the recipe. They just taste so good.

Bree Salenbien

Favorite food: My favorite food is my mom’s cheesy potatoes, and I like traditional cheese pizza.

Guilty pleasure food: Funnel cakes when fair time comes around.

Go-to food after a practice or game: We have these protein packs with cheese and nuts, and chocolate milk.

Favorite family recipe: My grandma’s goulash.

Drew Timme

Favorite food: I like burgers,

WHITWORTH/CCS/NIC

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI

Gonzaga’s Hunter Sallis (10) and Drew Timme enjoy a break during a recent photo shoot. barbecue wings, cheese sticks – those are pretty scrumptious.

Guilty pleasure food: My guilty pleasure is a root beer float. I don’t eat a lot of desserts or drink much soda, so it’s two in one.

Go-to food after a practice or game: I eat based on

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my mood – I’m a moody eater – so whatever I’m feeling that day.

It’s been Chinese food lately, and when I’m back at home, it’s TexMex. It’s just so tasty.

Favorite family recipe: My mom makes Buffalo chicken dip.

It’s one of my favorite things. And my aunt makes banana pudding –

it’s the best I’ve ever had.

Hunter Sallis

Favorite food: My favorite food is pizza. Growing up, I’ve been a pizza fanatic – hamburger pizza, to be exact.

Guilty pleasure food: Fast food from a chain that I can’t say!

Favorite food: I love steak.

Steak, salad, potatoes, honestly, I make them all the time. Bread of any sort – I probably eat bread with every single meal.

Guilty pleasure food: Either pie or cookie dough. It’s not frequent, but when I have a pie, I will finish an entire pie in less than three days. Cookie dough, I always have it in my fridge, and whenever I want something sweet, that is what I’m going for.

Go-to food after a practice or game: I always want something heavy, so pasta – fettuccine alfredo, spaghetti, anything I can eat a lot of to get full.

I really love chicken and, again, steak. If it’s an option, I’m going to take it.

Favorite family recipe: I have so many! But we’ll go with my grandma on my dad’s side, she made a homemade spaghetti. You bake it for 24 hours overnight, and the sauce just slow bakes in the oven. It’s one of my favorite recipes because you can smell it in the house all day.

Spokesman-Review Features Editor Don Chareunsy is a Gonzaga University graduate.

Special Section

November 5, 2021 • Friday • S3

GONZAGA BULLDOGS I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) high-fives center Chet Holmgren as Holmgren heads to the bench during the second half of Sunday’s exhibition game against Eastern Oregon at McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga won the game 115-62.

Drew TimmeChet Holmgren combination vaults talented Gonzaga right back among national title favorites

By Jim Meehan

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Paul Biancardi first saw Chet Holmgren when he was a sophomore during an AAU team practice at a small gym in Las Vegas.

Practice ended, but not for Holmgren.

“First, you see his height and wingspan and his touch on the floor, ability to block shots, those jumped out at me,” said Biancardi, ESPN national director of recruiting. “After practice, he stayed for an hour and a half. He worked on his footwork, layups, shooting, free throws.

I sat there and watched him the whole time.

“It wasn’t because I was sitting there.

It was because that’s what he does.”

Biancardi calls the Gonzaga freshman “the most unique prospect I’ve evaluated in my 13 years at ESPN.” Holmgren and preseason national player of year favorite Drew Timme are two of the main reasons Gonzaga is front and center in the national championship discussion entering the season. The pair should form a unique frontcourt – the 7-foot Holmgren is comfortable on the perimeter, Timme’s deft footwork and polished post moves are unmatched in the college game – seemingly with endless possibilities.

“Both are really skilled players and really unselfish,” Zags assistant coach Brian Michaelson said. “They can play off each other easy, they can play inside or outside. I think it’s a pretty easy and seamless transition as far as those two playing together.”

Timme was a tough matchup for opponents last season with his interior scoring ability. He worked hard in the offseason to extend his shooting range and improve his ballhandling, which could cause additional headaches for defenders.

Biancardi described Holmgren as a

GONZAGA MEN Nov. 5: vs. LC State (Exh.), 6 p.m.

Nov. 9: vs. Dixie St., 6 p.m.

Nov. 13: vs. Texas, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 15: vs. Alcorn State, 6 p.m.

Nov. 19: vs. Bellarmine, 6 p.m.

Nov. 22: vs. C. Michigan, 8 p.m.* Nov. 23: vs. UCLA, 7 p.m.* Nov. 26: vs. Duke, 7:30 p.m.* Nov. 29: vs. Tarleton St., 7 p.m.

Dec. 4: vs. Alabama 5 p.m.** Dec. 9: vs. Merrimack, TBA Dec. 12: vs. Washington, 2 p.m.

Dec. 18: vs. Texas Tech, 10 a.m.

Dec. 20: vs. NAU, TBA Dec. 28: North Alabama, TBA

TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Gonzaga celebrates during the second half of Sunday’s exhibition win over Eastern Oregon. “unicorn” with an uncommon skill set for a 7-footer with a 7-6 wingspan. The Timme-Holmgren combination figures to be problematic for foes.

“It’s been great,” Timme said after Kraziness in the Kennel last month. “We push each other to be better, we try new things together and work on different

Dec. 30: at San Diego, TBA Jan. 1: at LMU, TBA Jan. 6: vs. San Francisco, TBA Jan. 8: vs. Pepperdine, TBA Jan. 13: vs. BYU, 8 p.m.

Jan. 15: at Santa Clara, TBA Jan. 20: at Pacific, TBA Jan. 27: vs. LMU, TBA. Jan. 29: vs. Portland, TBA Feb. 3: at Pepperdine, 6 p.m.

Feb. 5: at BYU, 7 p.m.

Feb. 10: vs. Pacific, TBA Feb. 12: vs. Saint Mary’s, 7 p.m.

Feb. 19: vs. Santa Clara, TBA Feb. 24: at San Francisco, 6 p.m.

Feb. 26: at Saint Mary’s, 7 p.m. *-Played in Las Vegas **-Played in Seattle

moves. It’s been a lot of fun, but it’s fun going against every single guy we have.”

It’s easy to picture a dynamic highlow game, one of the program’s staples over the years, as well as both operating in the team’s ball-screen packages.

“Chet can really space the floor,” Michaelson said. “Both are very good pass-

ers, both are good interior and exterior passers and can feed each other and get it to the guards. Chet’s ability with sheer size to go over people makes him tougher and Drew has improved his range and obviously the way he drives it is really See GONZAGA, 20

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS The Zags are heavy favorites to win the WCC, per usual, and slight favorites to win the NCAA title. The latter will require a roster loaded with talent and depth but short on experience in a Gonzaga uniform to come together to play its best basketball in March, and, GU hopes, in April.

KEY INGREDIENTS F-Drew Timme (19.0 ppg, 7.0 ppg); G-Andrew Nembhard (9.2 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.59 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked sixth nationally), F-Anton Watson (6.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 30 steals), G-Rasir Bolton (15.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.9 apg at Iowa State), G/F-Julian Strawther (3.4 ppg, 70% 2-pt); F-Chet Holmgren (ranked No. 1 in 2021 class by 247sports), G-Hunter Sallis (five-star recruit, led prep team to Nebraska state championship) G-Nolan Hickman (averaged 16 points, 3.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game as a senior), G-Dominick Harris (3.0 ppg, 39.1% 3-point), F-Ben Gregg (18 game appearances, 56 minutes last season)

TAKEOUT

It would be hard to improve on his stats last season, but Drew Timme just might pull it off. He spent months this summer working on his body, perimeter shot and ballhandling, which should only make him more difficult to defend. The 6-foot-10 junior should be a focal point of the offense again. He routinely delivered in that role last season, hitting 65.5% of his shots, sixth nationally.

S4 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

(0) JULIAN STRAWTHER 6-7, SO./GUARD

(2) DREW TIMME

6-10, JR./FORWARD

(15) JOE FEW

6-9, SO./FORWARD

(5) MARTYNAS ARLAUSKAS

6-5, SR./GUARD

(20) KADEN PERRY

6-0, FR./GUARD

(30) ABE EAGLE

(3) ANDREW NEMBHARD

(33) BEN GREGG

6-7, JR./GUARD

(22) ANTON WATSON

6-9, FR./FORWARD

6-7, SO./FORWARD

(45) RASIR BOLTON

6-5, SR./GUARD

Proud to show our support for local College Basketball.

6-2, FR./GUARD

(25) COLBY BROOKS

6-3, SR./GUARD

(35) WILL GRAVES

7-0, FR./FORWARD

(11) NOLAN HICKMAN

6-5, FR./GUARD

(23) MATTHEW LANG

6-8, JR./FORWARD

(34) CHET HOLMGREN

6-10, FR./FORWARD

(10) HUNTER SALLIS

(55) DOMINICK HARRIS

6-3, SR./GUARD

6-3, SO./GUARD

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November 5, 2021 • Friday • S5

GONZAGA BULLDOGS I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Andrew Nembhard looks to cement his place among Gonzaga’s pantheon of point guard greats

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

By Theo Lawson

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say Gonzaga’s basketball program got more than it expected from Andrew Nembhard last season.

For a period of time, Nembhard’s value to the Bulldogs was supposed to be limited to what he’d do as a scoutteam player, a role many ex-Zags have embraced as they’ve undergone redshirt years, either to satisfy transfer rules or make progress in different areas of their game. Nembhard, a Florida transfer who’d played 67 games the two years prior, was prepared to labor through a redshirt season and make the obligatory sacrifices while resisting the itch to get back on the floor.

But in a surprise move, the NCAA approved a late waiver for the transfer guard and Nembhard’s redshirt year vanished two days before the season opener against Kansas. There’s no telling where Gonzaga’s season might have ended otherwise. A 16game starter who finished sixth nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.59), Nembhard won the West Coast Conference’s Sixth Man of the Year

award and helped steer the country’s top-ranked team to its second national championship appearance.

As national pundits continue to heap expectations on the Bulldogs in 2021-22, more will be expected from the veteran Nembhard on a GU team that lost three starters, including two from the much-heralded backcourt that led Mark Few’s program to a 31-1 record a season ago.

Yet, those who think they understand the totality of Nembhard’s value to the Bulldogs after watching him as a junior might be pleasantly surprised by what he’ll offer in another season in which Gonzaga is expected to contend for a national crown.

“I think this year you’re going to see Andrew be able to be himself and play the style he wants to play,” said his father, Claude Nembhard, in a phone interview. “I think his game, his body’s improved, his shot’s improved. I think you’re going to see the real Andrew this year.”

Last year could’ve amounted to a redshirt season for Nembhard, but instead the Ontario native emerged as a key piece for one of the best college basketball teams in recent memory

and in doing so, joined a vaunted list of Gonzaga point guards that includes last names like Stockton, Dickau, Pangos and Williams-Goss.

Unlike many of them, Nembhard didn’t need two or three years under Few’s tutelage to become the quintessential Gonzaga point guard. He arrived that way.

“I can actually see in his play, he plays the way Coach Few wants him to play,” former Gonzaga point guard Quentin Hall said. “I just think he’s a coach’s dream, just looking at him.”

Nembhard isn’t a coach’s dream by accident, either. Claude spent time coaching his sons – Andrew’s younger brother, Ryan, is a freshman point guard at Creighton – and made a business decision early on that would pay major dividends for both in the long run.

“Being a 6-3 center, which is kind of what I was in high school … I said when I had my kids, they were going to have the ball in their hands,” Claude Nembhard said. “So, it was kind of planned, them being points.”

It wasn’t uncommon for a 3-year-old Nembhard to play with kids up to four years older, which inevitably meant

“

he was the smallest player on floor at all times. In those settings Nembhard was dissuaded by his older peers from shooting the ball, so he quickly learned how to distribute.

“I think you have a responsibility to get other guys involved that are better, for sure,” he said. “That can score the ball better than you. At that point they could, so I had to do what I had to do.”

Like many aspiring point guards at the time, Nembhard took his cues from prominent NBA players like Chris Paul and Deron Williams. In the hockey-obsessed town of Aurora, Ontario, there weren’t many local success stories for Nembhard to follow, but that changed sometime between 2009 and 2011 when a prolific point guard from Denison Secondary – a school that was “right down the street,” according to Nembhard – emerged on the scene.

For the small but proud basketball community in the Toronto suburb, Kevin Pangos was already blazing a trail for promising young Canadians looking to further their careers in the U.S. “It’s a lot of hockey, so for me See NEMBHARD, 20

I can actually see in his play, he plays the way Coach Few wants him to play. I just think he’s a coach’s dream, just looking at him.”

Former GU great Quentin Hall, on guard Andrew Nembhard

S6 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

WCC PREVIEW I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Competition simmers in race for second WCC PREDICTIONS Gonzaga Bulldogs Brigham Young Cougars Saint Mary’s Gaels Loyola Marymount Lions San Francisco Dons Santa Clara Broncos Pepperdine Waves Pacific Tigers Portland Pilots San Diego Toreros

Despite Gonzaga’s hold on WCC, there’s plenty of intrigue among top contenders

By John Blanchette

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

And the long goodbye begins.

After 10 years in the West Coast Conference, the Brigham Young Cougars gave their two years’ notice in September, having finally cracked into the big time with an invitation from the Big 12.

So now they have the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons to accomplish what they haven’t managed yet: a league championship.

That surely wasn’t what the BYU faithful envisioned when the Cougars found a basketball life preserver with the WCC after taking their football program independent. Having just watched their heroes pummel Gonzaga in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, they could be excused for seeing cakewalks to conference titles in the church league.

Except again all the signs suggest that there’s another wait-’tilnext-year in the Cougars immediate future.

Whatever despair among its fan base attended the end of Gonzaga’s undefeated-until-the-last-game run through the herky-jerky 2021 college basketball season was quickly replaced by another surge of expectation when coach Mark Few and his staff rounded up the No. 1 recruit in the country – Chet Holmgren – and the No. 2 incoming class.

With national player of the year front-runner Drew Timme and one of the country’s top point guards in Andrew Nembhard joining those glitzy newcomers, it’s clear why the Zags are overwhelming favorites not just to win the WCC – again – but to return to the Final Four.

But even as Gonzaga tends to smother the competition, the WCC has managed to thrive as a collective. Four teams – GU, San Francisco, BYU and Saint Mary’s – showed up in kenpom.com’s preseason top 50, and Loyola Marymount is not far behind at No. 69. As a league, the WCC ranks seventh among college hoops’ 32 conferences, up a spot from where it ended the 2021 season.

If Gonzaga’s dominance isn’t coming to an end, one other WCC trend has – the NBA-pedigree coach – with a split decision.

Damon Stoudamire managed to make Pacific a tough out again in a five-year run before leaving to join the staff of the Boston Celtics. At Portland, Terry Porter was a colossal flop, winning just seven conference games in five years and leaving his successor – former Eastern Washington coach Shantay Legans – to launch a massive makeover.

Brigham Young Cougars

Coach: Mark Pope (44-15), 3rd year 2020-21 record: 20-7. WCC: 10-3, 2nd Key newcomers: Te’Jon Lucas (6-2, G), Seneca Knight (6-7, G), Atiki Ally Atiki (6-11, C) Key losses: Matt Haarms, Brandon Averette, Connor Harding Outlook: Alex Barcello’s decision to take the NCAA super-senior option and return for one more year puts the Cougars in position to make a return to March Madness. The WCC’s sharpest shooter is an underrated passer and improving at finding his own shot, and he has an intriguing cast around him.

Rugged Caleb Lohner is BYU’s next all-league big man, and two transfers – Te’Jon Lucas (Illinois, via Milwaukee) and Seneca Knight (San Jose State, via LSU) – are proven scorers. Two keys: keeping oft-injured forward Gavin Baxter in one piece, and finding a bigger role for athletic Gideon George.

Loyola Marymount Lions

Coach: Stan Johnson (13-9), 2nd year

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

BYU forward Caleb Lohner (33), guard Alex Barcello (13) and guard Trevin Knell surround Gonzaga’s Joel Ayayi at the West Coast Conference Tournament final last March in Las Vegas.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Coach Shantay Legans and guard Michael Meadows moved from Eastern Washington to Portland after the Eagles’ near-upset of Kansas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

2020-21 record: 13-9. WCC: 7-5, 3rd Key newcomers: Cameron Shelton (6-2, G), Kwane Marble (6-5, G), Alex Merkviladze (6-8, F) Key loss: Mattias Markusson Outlook: Stan Johnson managed the rare feat of dislodging one of the WCC’s Big Three – Saint Mary’s – for the third spot in the standings, albeit in an abbreviated league schedule. Gigantic Mattias Markusson is the only personnel loss of note, and there are three proven transfers, led by Cameron Shelton, the Big Sky scoring champ at Northern Arizona. But the heart and soul of the Lions remains Eli Scott, an all-leaguer on the super-senior plan and a terrific passer for a rugged, inside force. Forward Dameane Douglas had a breakout year before injury, and is an underappreciated talent.

Pacific Tigers

Coach: Leonard Perry, 1st year 2020-21 record: 9-9. WCC: 6-7, 5th Key newcomers: Greg Outlaw (6-4, G), Luke Avdalovic (6-5, G), Nick Blake (6-6, G) Key losses: Daniss Jenkins, Broc Finstuen Outlook: It’s been 16 years between head coaching gigs for Leonard Perry, whose first stab – at Idaho – was considerably less than a success. If he can maintain the siccum predecessor Damon Stoudamire injected in the program, that might help overcome some size limitations. Forward Jeremiah Bailey has all-league potential, and no WCC point guard is less turnover prone than

Pierre Crockrell III, though Pacific’s deliberate attack helps that. Among the transfers, high school vagabond Nick Blake (UNLV) was once a top-100 recruit, and former North Idaho standout Alphonso Anderson was the Mountain West’s sixth man of the year at Utah State.

Pepperdine Waves

Coach: Lorenzo Romar (8990), 7th year 2020-21 record: 15-12. WCC: 7-6, 4th Key newcomers: Maxwell Lewis (6-7, F), Keith Fisher III (6-8, F), Braun Hartfield (6-6, G) Key losses: Colbey Ross, Kessler Edwards, Sedrick Altman Outlook: It’s hard to imagine the Waves without do-everything point guard Colbey Ross, or his NBA draft pick sidekick Kessler Edwards. But all Lorenzo Romar was able to goose out of them was a College Basketball Invitational championship, so turning the page isn’t all that traumatic. If the Waves’ holdovers don’t inspire much expectation, they’ll get immediate help from two transfers – steady San Diego swingman Braun Hartfield and forward Keith Fisher III, a starter at both San Jose State and Illinois State. And watch out for forward Maxwell Lewis, a top-100 player who skipped his senior year to train for the NBA before opting for college.

Portland Pilots

Coach: Shantay Legans, 1st year 2020-21 record: 6-15. WCC: 0-11, 10th Key newcomers: Mike Meadows (6-2, G), Tyler Robert-

son (6-6, F), Chris Austin (6-4, G) Key losses: Ahmed Ali, Eddie Davis, Latrell Jones Outlook: After steering Eastern Washington to a near-Cinderella moment against Kansas in the NCAA Tournament, Shantay Legans took about 10 minutes to make the leap to Portland to build from the ashes of the Terry Porter disaster. He brought three ex-Eagles with him, led by Mike Meadows and Tyler Robertson – two of the army of newcomers replacing 12 of 13 scholarship Pilots. While Legans eschewed transfers at EWU, getting the Pilots competitive will require some seasoned hands. Chris Austin was Fordham’s scoring leader, and Moses Wood (UNLV) and Kristian Sjolund (UTEP) can shoot it outside, as Legans likes in his big men.

Saint Mary’s Gaels

Coach: Randy Bennett (454192), 21st year 2020-21 record: 14-10.

WCC: 4-6, 7th Key newcomers: Augustus Marciulionis (6-4, G), Chris Howell (6-6, G) Key losses: none Outlook: The Gaels lost not a single point from the 2021 team through player departure – not that they had any points to spare.

Randy Bennett’s worst offensive team – SMC shot under 40% in half of its games – was also his best defensively, but that sameold, same-old lineup will have to find more scoring. Getting Alex Ducas and Leemet Bockler for a full season will help, as will the arrival of Augustus Marciulionis – son of Sarunas, the Hall of Fame international legend – to play alongside explosive Logan Johnson in the backcourt. A bounce-back year from Dan Fotu up front is a must.

San Diego Toreros

Coach: Sam Scholl (33-49), 4th year 2020-21 record: 3-11. WCC: 2-7, 9th Key newcomers: Jase Townsend (6-3, G), Bryce Monroe (5-11, G), Marcellus Earlington (6-6, F) Key losses: Yauhen Massalski, Jared Rodriguez, Finn Sullivan Outlook: It’s easy to write off USD’s 2020-21 season – four different COVID-19 shutdowns resulted in just a 14-game campaign. Still, Sam Scholl’s influx of Division I transfers – other than forward Josh Parrish – played out as a major disappointment,

so the next wave has to be an improvement. Things figure to revolve around high-scoring Jase Townsend (Denver), who can score from deep and at the rim and should pair nicely with the Toreros’ top returner, Joey Calcaterra. A dreadful rebounding team last year, USD got reinforcements in two Power Six transfers, Terrell Brown (Pitt) and Marcellus Earlington (St. John’s).

San Francisco Dons

Coach: Todd Golden (33-26), 3rd year 2020-21 record: 11-14. WCC: 4-9, 8th Key newcomers: Yauhen Massalski (6-10, F), Zane Meeks (6-9, F), Gabe Stefanini (6-3, G) Key losses: Taavi Jurkatamm, Damari Milstead Outlook: The WCC’s most entertaining backcourt – this side of Gonzaga, anyway – tended to blur USF’s deficiencies up front, which Todd Golden addressed vigorously in recruiting. Four Division I transfers ranging from 6-8 Patrick Tape (Duke) to 6-10 Yauhen Massalski (San Diego) to 7-2 Volodymyr Markovetskyy (Washington State) shore up the inside. They just have to avoid clogging it up too much so that quicksilver guards Jamaree Bouyea and Khalil Shabazz still have room to operate. They’ll have some new company – and a provider – on the perimeter in Gabe Stefanini, who led the Ivy League in assists at Columbia.

Santa Clara Broncos

Coach: Herb Sendek (76-72), 6th year 2020-21 record: 12-8. WCC: 4-5, 6th Key newcomers: PJ Pipes (6-2, G), Carlos Stewart (6-1, G) Key losses: Guglielmo Caruso, Christian Carlyle Outlook: The Broncos’ lack of any notable progress in Herb Sendek’s five years as coach has to be a concern at the school which once took out a full-page ad in Gonzaga’s hometown newspaper proclaiming “Game On.” But these Broncos can put some scorers on the floor, especially if Louisiana high school phenom Carlos Stewart can make a seamless jump to the college game.

Steady super senior Josip Vrankic was the WCC’s rebounding champ and has a nice touch, and Keshawn Justice is rugged inside and out. Green Bay transfer PJ Pipes provides more perimeter pop.

See Gonzaga preview on Page 3

Special Section

November 5, 2021 • Friday • S7

GONZAGA BULLDOGS I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Hunter Sallis is joined by fellow 2021 McDonald’s All-Americans Chet Holmgren and Nolan Hickman to form part of Gonzaga’s most decorated recruiting class.

Gonzaga shows its recruiting chops with McDonald’s All-Americans Chet Holmgren, Hunter Sallis and Nolan Hickman TOP 20 RECRUITS SINCE 2000

By Jim Meehan

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Six of the program’s top nine recruits since 2000 occupy Gonzaga’s roster this season. Or, if you prefer, nine of the top 20.

Remember, too, that standout point guard Jalen Suggs left GU after one season for the NBA and No. 12 Pavel Zakharov and No. 18 Oumar Ballo transferred to other Division I programs.

Senior guard Andrew Nembhard’s .9926 rating, according to 247sports, when he committed to Florida in 2018 would put him in a tie with freshman Hunter Sallis at No. 3 on Gonzaga’s top 20. Iowa State transfer Rasir Bolton’s .8921 rating in 2018 would put him between No. 41 Kyle Dranginis and No. 42 Greg Foster Jr. Add in junior forward Martynas Arlauskas at No. 29 and all 12 scholarship players on this year’s team rank in the program’s top 42.

That collection of talent helps explain Gonzaga reaching last year’s national championship game and starting this season at No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll for the second straight year.

It also represents an evolution in Gonzaga’s recruiting.

“In their lifetimes we’ve literally never missed an NCAA Tournament and in their formative years we’ve literally played in at least every second weekend (of the tournament),” Zags assistant coach Brian Michaelson said. “The kids we’re recruiting are 16, 17, born in 2004 or 2005, all they know is Gonzaga as a national power. Most of their parents only know Gonzaga being in the

TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Gonzaga Bulldogs center Chet Holmgren had 17 points in the exhibition win against Eastern Oregon on Sunday at McCarthey Athletic Center.

NCAA Tournament every year.”

Ask Michaelson how and why Gonzaga has taken a big step forward in recruiting in recent years and prepare to hear much of the program’s pitch to prospects.

He hits all the high points, and there’s so many it takes a while for the ninth-year assistant to recite all of them.

“Success on the court, the Final Fours, the

winning, the historical numbers, amount of No. 1 seeds, the RPI, the NET,” Michaelson begins. “Style of play, guys want to play fast and in ball screens. We’ve led the country in scoring multiple years in a row. The efficiency.

“We’re usually at the top of the country in See RECRUITING, 20

Following is a list of Gonzaga’s 20 highestranked recruits since 2000: 1). Chet Holmgren 2). Jalen Suggs 3). Hunter Sallis 4). Zach Collins 5). Nolan Hickman 6). Austin Daye 7). Drew Timme 8). Anton Watson 9). Kaden Perry 10). Theo Davis 11). Matt Bouldin 12). Pavel Zakharov 13). Julian Strawther 14). Steven Gray 15). Josh Perkins 16). Filip Petrusev 17). Dominick Harris 18). Oumar Ballo 19). Gary Bell Jr. 20). Ben Gregg Source: 247sports rankings

S8 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

GONZAGA BULLDOGS I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Gonzaga guard Julian Strawther shoots over Eastern Oregon with the Kennel Club in the background on Sunday at McCarthey Athletic Center.

With fans in the stands for both men’s and women’s games this year, the Kennel is ready to get its bite back

By Theo Lawson

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Some of them may have been on the unlucky side. Others never stood a chance. Regardless, the 20 teams who traveled to Spokane last season to play Gonzaga’s men and women would be justified if they walked out of McCarthey Athletic Center feeling as though they let an opportunity slip through their hands.

Even when the fans were made of cardboard and the noise in the gym was reduced to the squeak of a rubber basketball shoe hitting a wooden floor, both Gonzaga teams were still untouchable at home in 2020-21, combining to go 21-0 in games played at the Kennel.

If opponents found it difficult to steal a game in Spokane last season, that should be an even greater undertaking in 2021-22 as a basketball-deprived fanbase returns to McCarthey for the first time since February of 2020.

After closing doors to the general public last season – only select family members and friends could attend a handful of games down the stretch – Gonzaga is allowing full capacity this year. A new rule requiring attendees to either show proof of immunization against COVID-19 or provide a negative test taken within 72 hours of the game TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW before entering the arena didn’t seem to discourage the large crowds that took in Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jill Townsend speaks during a Senior Night celebration last February at McCarthey.

Kraziness in the Kennel on Oct. 9 and the Fan Fest event that was held a week en’t common, but they’re even more in- at McCarthey until the season opener hopes to commandeer any men’s tickets later. frequent on the women’s side – part of against Dixie State, but the senior got that become available.

“I’m super excited to watch basket- what makes the McCarthey experience his first sample during the recent Kra“At Kraziness, I was really impressed ball again in person, I missed it so much such a unique and daunting one for vis- ziness in the Kennel event. with the Kennel Club, the student seclast year and I think there’s going to be iting teams.

“First time I had jitters before a game tion,” she said. “It’s going to totally get a sense of that,” said former Gonzaga The most recent women’s sellout – in a little while just because the fans ramped up at the games. It’s going to be women’s standout Heather Bowman, and the 37th in program history – came made the atmosphere so unique,” he wild.” who spent four years at McCarthey es- on Feb. 15, 2020, against Santa Clara. said. “That was exciting, just to see this Peterson, a self-described “old online tablishing the school record for career During the 2019-20 season, Gonzaga atmosphere and it definitely lived up to grad student” was in the student line points (2,165). “I’m guessing for the was one of just 15 teams in the coun- the expectations.” waiting to acquire a ticket for Kraziness coaches especially if some of the players try, and the only non-power conferMany have expressed sorrow for play- in the Kennel when she was approached haven’t played at the Kennel or in front ence team, to average more than 5,000 ers who missed out on the Kennel expe- by arena workers on multiple occasions. of folks yet, it’s going to be ‘Hey, we’re fans per game. Gonzaga’s average at- rience last year, though veteran players “So I’m in the student line waiting to going to take this calm, we’re going to tendance of 5,692 would’ve ranked the like Corey Kispert and Joel Ayayi had get into McCarthey and at least three go into it.’ Because they’ll just be auto- Bulldogs at least top four in each of the already played dozens of games at Mc- people, very helpfully came up to me matically elevated in the best way and six major conferences and the Bulldogs Carthey and returning sophomores, like and told me I was in the student line they’ll get to enjoy it. So I think overall outdrew 62 teams in those leagues.

Yvonne Ejim of the women’s team and and the public line was over there,” she it’s just going to be really exciting.”

“We have this beautiful arena then Julian Strawther of the men’s team, will said. “I’m like, I know.”

Though Gonzaga will never claim once the doors open up, the kids rush get their first opportunities this season.

Peterson wound up finding her famany national records pertaining to at- in, that first group lined up come in,” Only one notable Zag missed out on ily members and sitting elsewhere, but tendance due to McCarthey’s modest Bowman said. “Then you can kind the experience entirely. she’s still pondering what it could be 6,000-seat capacity, the venue has pro- of see opponents who maybe haven’t “That’s the one thing I feel bad for like to sit in the thick of the Kennel at vided a robust homecourt advantage to played in those situations before, which last year’s group that Jalen (Suggs) nev- some point later this season. both teams since it opened in 2004, re- on the women’s side is unfortunately er got to experience it and Corey and “I’m not sure I’m up for standing up placing the old Martin Center. common, they see that and it’s like, ‘Oh Joel to not get their senior year or last and jumping up and down the whole The men’s team has recorded 239 god, people are into this.’ That’s a differ- year that they deserved,” Michaelson game,” she laughed. consecutive sellouts at the new are- ent feeling and they just pack the place. said. “Drew and Anton are the only two If Bowman could pass on any advice na since 2004, and will soon extend a “It was definitely, you’ve got to go up guys that have played in a ‘live’ Kennel, to current GU players, she’d tell them streak of 272 straight sellouts at both and play Gonzaga, play at this really and they’ll tell you it was so much bet- to embrace the atmosphere the Kennel venues. According to NCAA.com, the cool place with these amazing fans and ter their freshmen year. It’s a unique has to offer. It doesn’t last forever.

Bulldogs have the nation’s longest home it’s cold. It’s not Malibu, so we kind of deal that only two guys have played in “It’s tough to go through games or winning streak at 51 games dating back felt like that helped.” it.” even if you go out to play professionalto a Jan. 18, 2018, loss to Saint Mary’s.

Together the men’s and women’s One of the cardboard cutouts that sat ly after, especially overseas, you’re not The second-longest streak, belonging to teams have amassed a home record of stationary in the Kennel for the better used to empty gyms,” she said. “I reLiberty, is 36 games.

450-42 since McCarthey opened in part of five months last year belonged member at Gonzaga even, having to cre“It’s huge. We’ve been just about 2004. The men have pieced together to Anne Peterson, a retired family med- ate that energy (at road games) and it’s everywhere, it’s as good of a home en- six undefeated home seasons while the icine program director who’s working so hard. I remember being on the road vironment as there is in the country,” women have four. toward a master’s degree in theology and we were at a tournament at ASU I longtime men’s assistant coach Brian Senior point guard Andrew Nem- and leadership at Gonzaga. Peterson, think and just having to get the bench Michaelson said. “Sold out every night, bhard was recruited by Gonzaga out of a season ticketholder for the women’s to yell and do all this. It definitely takes passionate fans, especially the Kennel high school, but passed on his planned team, spent the past eight years living in a bit more to have that kind of help from Club, it gets guys excited and gets them visit to Spokane after committing to Southern California and made a point the crowd who’s getting you energized going. It also plays a role on opponents Florida, then transferred to the Bulldogs to see the Bulldogs when they played at and getting you going.” to walk into this building and they’re last season only to learn fans wouldn’t the University of San Diego and Loyola not used to playing in that atmosphere.” be allowed at home games. Nembhard Marymount. She’s back in Spokane now Theo Lawson can be reached at (509) Sellout crowds in the men’s game ar- won’t play a game of real consequence with season tickets for the women and 939-5928 or theol@spokesman.com.

Special Section

November 5, 2021 • Friday • S9

I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

HOME COOKIN’ HOME COOKIN’

By Charles Apple

By Charles Apple

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Both sets of Zags have enjoyed a powerful home court advantage at the McCarthey setsopened of Zagsinhave enjoyed a powerful home courtan advantage at the McCarthey Athletic Center since the NewBoth Kennel 2004.

The women’s team has gone Athletic Center since Newteam Kennel entire season undefeated at home five times.

Thethe men’s hasopened done it in six2004. times.The women’s team has gone an entire season undefeated at home five times. The men’s team has done it six times.

Here’s a look at the numbers behind Gonzaga’s home court advantage: Here’s a look at the numbers behind Gonzaga’s home court advantage: The “home court advantage” figures here show the difference in the average number of “home court advantage” figures the difference in the average number of points scored at home vs. the average The number of points scored on the roadhere eachshow season. points scored at home vs. the average number of points scored on the road each season.

GONZAGA WOMEN 14-0

GONZAGA WOMEN

Home record

14-0

4-4

5.190

10-3 6-11

Road record

14-4

First women’s loss in McCarthey: Dec. 18, 2005 Montana 72, 3.846 Gonzaga 60

Home court advantage Home record

10-3

6-11 Home court

Home record

11-3 Road record

13-7

Home court advantage

0.507 15-1 10-8

8.785

0.267

200910

Home record

201011 20115.570 12

Home record

2012133.694

201213

Home record

201314

201314

Home record

Home record

10.267

Home record

-5

15-0 Road record

14-5

5.779

Home court advantage

15-1

Home record

15-1 Road record

16-4

675

10.675

13-2 4-4

Home court advantage Home record

13-2 Road record 14-4 Home court

4.132

advantage

13-4 14-2

Home record

13-4 Road record 14-2 Home court

3.694

16-0 3-5

advantage

Home record

16-0 Road record 13-5 Home court advantage

13.653 12-2

4.700

5 5-9

201415 4.700 20155-9 16 6.541

Home record Road record Home court advantage

14-1

Home record

2-6

12-6

0.423 12-2

14-1 Road record Home court advantage

Home record

12-2

-4

1.492

Most recent women’s loss in McCarthey: Feb. 16, 2019 BYU 66, 4.632 Gonzaga 64

-4

15-4

Road record Home court advantage Home record

15-4

14-0

14-1 Road record Home court advantage

Home record

14-0 Road record

14-3

2.761

14-3 Home court

9-0

4-4

6.111

advantage

14-4

Road record

5.482 Road record

223-29 218-90 .888 .708 25

(current)

Home record Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage Home record Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

Home record Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage Home record

Home record

Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

Home record Road record Longest winning streak

11-1

Home record Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

9-0

Home record

Road record

13-1

5.482

Home court advantage

223-29 .888 25

(current)

Longest winning Longest streak winning streak

Sources: Gonzaga Sports Information office, The Spokesman-Review files

12-7

3.872

11-1

Home court advantage

17-5

3.378

13-1

13-1

14-6

Road record

14-6

10.036 Home court advantage

10.036

14-2

14-2

11-8

Road record

11-8

13.129

Home court advantage

13.129

15-1 11-6

15-1 11-6

Home record Road record

Home court advantage

5.570

15-1

15-1

17-2

Road record

17-2

13.418

Home court advantage

13.418

15-0

15-0

14-7

Road record

14-7

7.496 Home court

7.496

advantage

15-1

Home record

15-1

20-2

Road record Home court advantage

20-2

2.966

11-4

Home record

11-4

17-4

Road record Home court advantage

17-4

3.162

15-1

15-1

22-1

15-1

Home record Road record

17-4

Home court advantage

22-1

Most recent men’s loss in 6.482 McCarthey: Jan. 18, 2018 Saint Mary’s 74, Gonzaga 71

Home court advantage

17-4

17-0

17-0

16-4

Road record

8.744

Most recent men’s loss in McCarthey: Jan. 18, 2018 Saint Mary’s 74, Gonzaga 71

15-1

6.756

8.744

Home court advantage

17-0 14-2

16-4

17-0 14-2

Home record Road record

7.738 Home court advantage

7.738

11-0

Home record

11-0

20-1

Road record Home court advantage

20-1

4.342 GONZAGA MEN

6.719 Home court

236-14 .944

11-1

17-5

Road record

GONZAGA MEN

Home record Home record

13-1

12-7

Road record

Home record

First men’s loss in McCarthey: Feb. 12, 2007 Santa Clara 84, Gonzaga 73

12-10

4.205

Road record

202021

Home court advantage Home court advantage

12-10

Home court advantage

Home record

Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court 4.342 advantage

14-4

11-1

Home record

201819 201920

Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

First men’s loss in McCarthey: 2.645 Feb. 12, 2007 Santa Clara 84, Gonzaga 73

Home court advantage

201819 4.632 201920 2.761

Home record

15-0

14-4

Road record

2017-6.756 18

Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

10.282

15-0

201718 1.492

Home record

13-5

Home court10.282 advantage

2016-6.482 17

Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

GONZAGA WOMEN Home court advantage

201415 20153.162 16

Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home 2.966 court advantage

Home record

Home court advantage

GONZAGA WOMEN

Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

13-0

13-5

Road record

201617 0.423

202021 6.111

Home record

Road record Home record Home court Road record 3.378 advantage Home court advantage

Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

Home court advantage

6.541

Road record Home record Home court Road record 3.872 advantage Home court advantage

Home record

12-2 Road record

14-5

14-1

201011 2011124.132

Home record

14-6

Home record

Road record Home record Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

200910 5.779

Home court advantage

15-0

200809

Home record

Home record

Home record

12-3 Road record

15-4

Home record

Home record

200809

Home court advantage

8.785

-4

200708

Home record

2005063.846 200607 0.507

Home record

15-1 Road record

12-3

20052.645 06 20064.205 07

Home record

Road record

Home court advantage Home court advantage

200708

Home record

0-8

Home record

Home record

Home court Road record advantage Home court advantage

advantage

GONZAGA MEN

13-0

200405

Road record

Road record

Road record

11-3

200405 5.190

Home record

GONZAGA MEN

6.719

advantage

261-78 236-14 .770 .944

Road record Home record

50

Longest winning (current) streak

Sources: Gonzaga Sports Information office, The Spokesman-Review files

261-78 .770

Road record

50

(current)

S10 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

GONZAGA BULLDOGS I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Senior Melody Kempton, a 6-foot-1 forward from Post Falls, is ready for her turn as the veteran leader of Gonzaga women’s basketball.

In her final season, senior Melody Kempton eager to lead Gonzaga women in their chase for another West Coast Conference title

By Jim Allen

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

This is Melody Kempton’s team now, and she’s ready to lead.

Actually, Kempton has been doing that at Gonzaga for the past three years – leading by example, fighting for the toughest rebounds and diving to the floor for loose balls.

“Just doing what it takes,” Kempton said.

This year it will take a little more.

The Zags are in rebuild mode and Kempton figures to be the cornerstone if they’re to win another West Coast Conference title.

A 6-foot-1 forward from Post Falls, Kempton is raising her game and raising her voice.

“I’ve been trying to grow my leadership skills,” said Kempton, who has taken leadership classes throughout her career at GU. “I think leadership is understanding how everybody takes feedback differently.”

The Zags got a different kind of feedback recently from the coaches of the WCC. The Zags went 23-4 overall last year and have won 16 of the past 17 regular-season titles, but they’re picked to finish second behind BYU. Kempton wasn’t surprised – GU lost the Wirth sisters and Jill Townsend to graduation while BYU has everyone back – but it’s motivation enough.

“We have that gritty feeling of wanting to prove people wrong,” Kempton said. “This team is like no other team I’ve been on … the chemistry is very different, and I would take a bullet for this team.”

That chemistry will be important.

The graduation of forwards Jenn and LeeAnne Wirth and wing Townsend leaves plenty of openings for less experienced players, including five incoming freshmen and several returnees

GONZAGA WOMEN Nov. 6: vs. CWU (Exh.), 2 p.m.

Nov. 11: vs. Montana State, 6 p.m.

Nov. 14: at Montana 1 p.m.

Nov. 18: vs. Idaho State, 6 p.m.

Nov. 21: vs. Stanford, TBA Nov. 26: vs. Utah, 3 p.m.* Nov. 27: vs. Eastern Illinois, 3 p.m.* Nov. 28: at Hawaii, 5:30 p.m.* Dec. 3: vs. Wyoming, 6 p.m.

Dec. 8: vs. Washington St., 6 p.m.

Dec. 12: vs. Stephen F. Austin, TBA Dec. 19: at UC Davis, 2 p.m.

Dec. 21: at E. Washington, 6 p.m.

Dec. 30: vs. San Francisco, 6 p.m.

Jan 1: at Loyola Marymount, TBA

who saw limited minutes last season.

“It’s truly wide open,” coach Lisa Fortier said as fall camp opened. “I know we always say that, and we coach them that way, but we only have two players who have (regularly) started.”

That would be guards Cierra Walker and Kayleigh Truong, though Kempton (6.6 points per game and 3.6 rebounds per game last season) logged big minutes off the bench and also figures to start.

The biggest question: Assuming a three-guard lineup, who will join Kempton in the paint? That could be sophomore Yvonne Ejim, but like Kempton she lacks an outside shot.

That could open the door for redshirt sophomore Eliza Hollingsworth, who showed her versatility after missing almost two seasons.

Another key returnee is Walker, whose 41% shooting from 3-point range will be even more important because the returning GU bigs don’t appear to present a major outside threat.

Also in the mix are 6-5 senior Anamaria Virjoghe and 6-2 Eliza Hollingsworth, who showed flashes late in the season after losing her freshman year to injury. Newcomers include Maud Huijbens, a 6-5 transfer forward from Syracuse; and Esther Little, a 6-2 guard-forward from England with more than 50 games’ worth of international experience.

The backcourt appears more settled, though much will depend on the shooting of Walker, a fifth-year senior transfer.

The Truong sisters, Kayleigh and Kaylynne, appear ready to hold down the point, and both have grown into the role.

Newcomers in the backcourt include Payton Muma, a 5-8 guard from Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and Calli Stokes, a 6-foot guard-forward from

Jan. 6: at Portland, TBA Jan. 8: vs. Santa Clara, TBA Jan. 13: at Pacific, TBA Jan. 15: vs. San Diego, 2 p.m.

Jan. 20: vs. Portland, 6 p.m.

Jan. 22: at Saint Mary’s, 1 p.m.

Jan. 27: at Pepperdine, TBA Jan 29: at San Diego, 2 p.m.

Feb. 3: vs. Pacific, 6 p.m.

Feb. 5: vs. Brigham Young, 2 p.m.

Feb. 10: at Santa Clara, TBA. Feb. 12: at San Francisco, TBA. Feb. 17: vs. Saint Mary’s, 6 p.m.

Feb. 19: at Brigham Young, 1 p.m.

Feb. 24: vs. Pepperdine, 6 p.m.

Feb. 26: vs. Loyola Marymount, 2 p.m. *-Games played in Manoa, Hawaii

DAN PELLE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Gonzaga guard Kayleigh Truong finds the basket during FanFest last month in the McCarthey Athletic Center.

Redondo Beach, California.

The “X’ factor is freshman Bree Salenbien, a five-star recruit who figures to take over Townsend’s spot on the wing, though she also could see action at the point.

Free-throw shooting could be a concern, as returnees averaged only 65.2% last year.

In addition to the WCC snub, the Zags got no votes in the Associated Press poll. That’s nothing new, and like past squads, this one will need a charge to make some noise.

The biggest opportunity comes Nov.

21, when defending NCAA champion Stanford visits the Kennel. Regional rival Washington State is in town Dec. 8, and of course the Zags will have at least two shots at BYU. The Zags will be ready, Kempton promised.

“We have a lot of weapons on this team,” Kempton said. “In any game, almost any of us can be the leading scorer.”

Jim Allen can be reached at (509) 4595437 or by email at jima@spokesman. com

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS Rebuilding is a relative term. Most West Coast Conference rivals would love to have GU’s problem; however, the Zags need better outside shooting from their bigs and a breakout performance from at least one newcomer.

KEY INGREDIENTS G-Kayleigh Truong (3.9 assists per game last year), G-Cierra Walker (.405 from long range), G/F-Bree Salenbien (GU’s first five-star recruit), F-Melody Kempton (.607 FG), F–Yvonne Ejim (52 rebounds in 162 minutes).

TAKEOUT

Now a junior, point guard Kayleigh Truong will have the ball in her hands for much of the game. A good distributor (she averaged almost 4 assists last year), she’s also the top returning scorer (7.8 ppg), but will need to improve on her 38.9% shooting. Her twin Kaylynne is a solid backup who averaged 17.2 minutes per game.

Special Section

November 5, 2021 • Friday • S11

GONZAGA BULLDOGS I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Versatile freshman guard Bree Salenbien will be counted on to do just about everything for the Gonzaga women’s basketball team this season.

Bree Salenbien excited to show the skills that made her the highest-ranked recruit in Gonzaga women’s history

By Jim Allen

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Like most freshmen at Gonzaga University, Bree Salenbien is majoring in time management.

Away from family for the first time, she’s balancing books and midterms and trying to have some fun – the usual expectations for an 18-year-old who plans to be an elementary schoolteacher.

But while staying grounded, Salenbien also is reaching for the stars.

So talented on the basketball court that she was getting Division I scholarship offers in the eighth grade, Salenbien lost count – “36, I think” – by the time she was halfway through high school.

Because of the pandemic, Salenbien signed with GU without having seen the campus or the sellout crowds at the Kennel. Instead, the deal was sealed by a home visit with the GU staff.

“I was impressed with their passion,” Salenbien said.

Now she’s a Zag and the highest-rated recruit in program history, with all the predictable expectations from fans and the media for someone who can play at least two positions at the college level.

Earlier this year, coach Lisa Fortier did little to rein in those hopes.

“I mean, she’s 6-foot-3 and she can do everything,” Fortier said. “She’s a phenomenal shooter. She’s super versatile and she’s feisty. She’s not afraid of the big moment and she’s not afraid of physicality.”

Fortier dialed it back a bit following last month’s Fan Fest. Asked which newcomer was showing the most promise, she singled out Salenbien – “by just a little bit.”

That came after Salenbien won the 3-point shooting contest and did almost everything else with an upperclassmen’s skill during the 16-minute scrimmage.

Time will tell whether Salenbien will be the cornerstone of GU’s rise to the next level; that’s something for fans to dissect on social media while Salenbien is focused on self-improvement.

“It’s so hard to tune those things out, but I think my family has done a great job of explaining to me to what it means to be in that position, but also to do whatever it takes,” Salenbien said.

A recent closed-door scrimmage at UCLA “went

DAN PELLE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Gonzaga coach Lisa Fortier, right, takes time to help freshman Bree Salenbien during practice last month. well,” she said. “But I’m still trying to figure out some things.”

Fortier and her staff could say the same thing following the graduation of half their scoring and rebounding in the Wirth sisters and Jill Townsend.

Salenbien figures to play a big part in filling those holes; in fact, she’s practicing at point guard as well as Townsend’s old spot on the wing.

“I think it’s super important to have that versatility in my game, and I’m fine bringing the ball upcourt,” Salenbien said.

Salenbien’s versatility showed in the stat sheet.

During her junior year at Lewanee Christian, she averaged 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.3 blocks and 3.0 steals.

The season ended with Salenbien tearing an anterior-cruciate ligament and her team losing in the playoffs. Nevertheless, she went into her senior year as a five-star recruit and ESPN’s No. 44 prospect in the country.

“

And the knee “is back to 100% now,” she said.

“Now it’s just the normal college fatigue, and the areas where I need to up my game, because in college everyone is faster and stronger.

“I’m just trying to fight for a spot.”

Given Fortier’s tendency to give upperclassmen more minutes could affect Salenbien’s playing time, but it’s easy to see her getting big minutes off the bench. Not that long ago, Townsend was still coming off the bench yet leading the team in minutes played.

“If we need a third-string point guard, she can fit the bill. If we need rebounding, she can do that. If we need shooting, she can do that,” Fortier said. “We tell our players all the time, ‘Your ability to be the answer to whatever problems we have is going to get you more or less playing time.’ And I think Bree can be the answer to any of the problems we have.”

Jim Allen can be reached at (509) 459-5437 or by email at jima@spokesman.com

I mean, she’s 6-foot-3 and she can do everything. She’s a phenomenal shooter. She’s super versatile and she’s feisty.”

Gonzaga coach Lisa Fortier on Bree Salenbien

S12 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

(0) ESTHER LITTLE

(1) ANAMARIA VIRJOGHE

(3) PAYTON MUMA

(4) ABBY O’CONNOR

(5) MAUD HUIJBENS

6-0, SR./G-F

6-3, FR./FORWARD

6-2, FR./GUARD

6-5, SR./FORWARD

5-8, FR./GUARD

(10) CALLI STOKES

(11) KAYLEIGH TRUONG

(12) ELIZA HOLLINGSWORTH

(13) CIERRA WALKER

(14) KAYLYNNE TRUONG

(15) YVONNE EJIM

(24) MCKAYLA WILLIAMS

(32) KYLEE GRIFFEN

(33) MELODY KEMPTON

(35) BREE SALENBIEN

5-11, FR./GUARD

6-1, SO./FORWARD

5-9, JR./GUARD

6-1, SO./GUARD

6-3, SO./FORWARD

6-2, SR./GUARD

5-8, SR./GUARD

6-1, SR./FORWARD

5-8, JR./GUARD

6-2, FR./GUARD

Special Section

November 5, 2021 • Friday • S13

2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

YOUNG KWAK/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington State guard Charlisse Leger-Walker averaged 18.8 points per game for the Cougars last season.

HUNGRY FOR MORE

Washington State looks to build on momentum of its first NCAA appearance in 30 years

By Jim Allen

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For Washington State women’s basketball coach Kamie Ethridge, rising expectations don’t feel like much of a burden.

On the contrary, they’re just “notches on the ladder,” Ethridge said last month at a Pacific-12 Conference media event.

The Cougars moved up a few rungs last year after being penciled in for a lastplace finish. Instead, the Cougars went 12-12 overall (9-10 in the Pac-12) and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 30 years.

Along with returning its entire starting lineup, that’s good enough to get picked sixth – halfway up ladder, if you will. But that’s still a long way to the top of the Pac-12, which has five teams in the preseason Top 25.

However, the Cougars have some of the ingredients to ascend a few more rungs.

WSU WOMEN Nov. 5: vs. NW Nazarene (Exh.), 7 p.m.

Nov. 9: vs. San Jose St., 7 p.m.

Nov. 12: vs. Northern Arizona, 2 p.m.

Nov. 21: at Idaho, TBA Nov. 25: vs. Miami, 1 p.m.* Nov. 27: vs. NC State, 7 p.m.*

Ethridge was just rewarded with a contract extension that could keep her in Pullman until at least the spring of 2027.

Going into her fourth year as coach, Ethridge gave credit to the players for “taking on our coaching staff’s personality … learning how to move the ball around and create plays for themselves and others.”

“The development of all that leads to high-level basketball,” Ethridge said.

More important, all five starters are back – “so we don’t have to start building that chemistry again,” sophomore guard Charlisse Leger-Walker said.

And while the Cougars might catch fewer teams by surprise, they have a solid shot at a winning season.

“I really liked the energy and maturity of our team,” Ethridge said. “I feel like we are in a really good place, but we have a lot to grow on.”

The talent is undeniable. Leger-Walker was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year after

Dec. 2: vs. San Francisco, noon Dec. 4: at UC Davis, 4 p.m.

Dec. 8: at Gonzaga, 6 p.m.

Dec. 12: vs. Boise St., noon Dec. 18: at BYU, 11 a.m.

Dec. 19: at Cornell, noon Dec. 31: vs. California, 7 p.m.

Jan. 2: vs. Stanford, noon

averaging 18.8 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Her sister Krystal, a fifth-year senior, and Johanna Tedder of Estonia also shot well from outside, and frontcourt starters Ula Motuga and Bella Murakatete are improving.

“She’s probably our most athletic player,” Ethridge said of Murakatete, a 6-foot-3 junior from Rwanda. “This year you will see a night-and-day difference in her.”

Success starts with Charlisse Leger-Walker, whose stats (2.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game) speak to her versatility. National recognition includes her recent nomination to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award watch list and her ranking by ESPN as the 17th best player in the nation going into the season.

The schedule is challenging following the season opener on Nov. 9 against San Jose State. Other nonconference matchups include North Carolina State, Gonzaga, Boise State and BYU. The Pac-12 slate offers nine games against teams ranked in the preseason Top 25.

Jim Allen can be reached at (509) 4595437 or by email at jima@spokesman.com

Jan. 9: at Arizona St., 11 a.m.

Jan. 14: at Southern California, 7 p.m.

Jan. 16: at UCLA, noon Jan. 21: vs. Oregon St., 7 p.m.

Jan. 23: vs. Oregon, noon Jan. 28: vs. Washington, 7 p.m.

Jan. 30: at Washington, noon Feb. 4: at Colorado, 4 p.m.

LOCALLY GROWN No. 3 Stanford, with Hull sisters, leads the way as Pac-12 looks to shine again

By Janie McCauley ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO – The Pacific-12 Conference won’t catch anyone by surprise anymore. Not with the way conference teams shined on the national stage yet again.

Coaches and players throughout the Pac-12 knew well before last spring’s NCAA Tournament that they had one of the most talented conferences in the country.

Then, Stanford – led by Central Valley alums Lexie and Lacie Hull – edged Arizona by a single point in the NCAA championship game,

54-53. The Pac-12 plans to represent in March again, with No. 3 Stanford leading the way in the program’s title defense and Oregon also in the AP Top 25 at No. 10.

Three others are in the poll, too.

Stanford captured its first championship since 1992 and third ever last season, a remarkable finish to a season in which the Cardinal spent nearly 10 weeks away from campus given restrictions in Santa Clara County banning sporting events and practices because of COVID-19.

“Last year feels a little bit like a blur,” Stanford coach Tara

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Stanford guard Lexie Hull grabs a rebound against Arizona in the championship game last April in San Antonio.

VanDerveer said. “But we got through a lot, and congratulations to the Pac-12 to have two teams in the championship game and six teams in the tournament. And we’re going to be greedy, go for more next year.”

The Cougars have some stellar talent, but not enough of it – how else to explain three players averaging 35-plus minutes last year and the late-season fade? A key this year will be developing more depth, especially in the frontcourt.

KEY INGREDIENTS G-Charlisse Leger-Walker (18.8ppg, Pac-12 Freshman of the Year), G-Krystal Leger-Walker (109 assists led Pac-12), G-Johanna Teder (33.6% from 3), F–Ula Motuga (6.8 rpg), F–Bella Murakatete (38 blocks and 8.5 rpg last season)

TAKEOUT High as the expectations were last year for freshman

Charlisse LegerWalker, she exceeded

them. The 5-foot-10 New Zealand international does almost everything well. She averaged 18.8 points, ranked third in the conference in steals and fifth in 3-pointers made. Leger-Walker also played almost 37 minutes a game.

Feb. 6: at Utah, 11 a.m.

Feb. 11: vs. UCLA, 7 p.m.

Feb. 13: vs. USC, noon Feb. 18: vs. Arizona St., 7 p.m.

Feb. 20: vs. Arizona, noon Feb. 24: at Stanford, 8 p.m.

Feb. 26: at California, noon • -Games played in Nassau, Bahamas

Sixth-year Arizona coach Adia Barnes is challenging her team not to relish that runner-up finish given how good the Pac-12 still is and how hard it will be to get back there and triumph this time.

“It doesn’t feel any different,” she said. “I know that people are like, ‘Oh, it was a magical run,’ but it is what it is. That’s last year. The reality is we didn’t win. It was great to get there but our standards are just really high. Now that they’ve had a taste of success they’re just really hungry for more.”

Since leaving Gonzaga, coach Kelly Graves has guided Oregon to four straight Sweet 16 appearances. Now, Nyara Sabally – Oregon’s leading returner – can’t wait to play in front of home fans for the first time.

“They’ve never seen any of our team play live yet,” she said.

Sabally is surrounded by a mix of young players and transfers, so she will be counted upon to lead the way. The 6-foot-5 junior

forward from Germany averaged team highs of 12.9 points and 7.3 rebounds.

“We don’t have one player that’s played in front of the Duck fans,” Graves said.

Graves was in awe taking in the scenes around Pac-12 media day in San Francisco earlier this month.

“Just watching the student-athletes walking around and knowing how good that they are, it’s kind of daunting,” Graves said. “It’s going to be a heck of a year in the Pac-12.”

Five conference teams are in the AP preseason poll for a sixth straight season, leaving the Pac12 tied for the most ranked teams with the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten. Stanford sits at No. 3, Oregon No. 10, Oregon State No. 14, UCLA at 20 and Arizona at 22.

“We know that if we’re able to survive and thrive in the Pac-12 grind that the NCAA Tournament will be, I’m not going to say a walk in the park, but a whole lot easier,” UCLA coach Cori Close said.

S14 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

PAC-12 PREVIEW I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Battle for respect reaches boiling point PAC-12 PREDICTIONS 1. UCLA Bruins 2. Oregon Ducks 3. Arizona Wildcats 4. USC Trojans 5. Oregon State Beavers 6. Washington State Cougars 7. Colorado Buffaloes 8. Stanford Cardinal 9. Arizona State Sun Devils 10. Utah Utes 11. Washington Huskies 12. California Golden Bears

A year after dominating the NCAAs, the march for acclaim starts all over again for Pac-12

By John Blanchette

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The glow from the great vindication of Pacific-12 Conference basketball lingered pretty much all the way through the summer of 2021, or at least until football started messing with the conference’s cred once again.

Now the resurrection narrative has to go on hold until the nation starts paying attention to hoops again. Which is to say, next March.

But there are enough hints that the big splash in last March’s madness wasn’t just a one-off.

There are also hints that the national view of the Pac-12 remains, “Prove it.”

Actually, a look at the preseason Associated Press and coaches’ polls provides more than a hint. Only two Pac-12 teams appear: UCLA at No. 2 and Oregon at 12/13.

“Maybe now we’ll get some damn respect,” Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle groused last March when the Pac-12 made up 25% of the Sweet 16 – for the first time in 20 years – and three teams made the Elite Eight.

That’s as many as the league had in the previous five tournaments.

Well, so much for respect.

OK, nine of last year’s 10 firstteam all-league players moved on, either to the pros or the transfer portal. And, yes, the Pac12 is 17-27 the past two regular seasons against the other power conferences.

But surely that March surge has to count for something, especially when you consider that it could have been even more pronounced if USC and Oregon hadn’t been paired against each other in the Sweet 16 – and that Arizona, Pac-12 royalty since forever, was sitting out the dance altogether under self-imposed sanctions.

Presuming the NCAA doesn’t administer more noogies this year, the Wildcats should be back in the mix under new coach Tommy Lloyd, the longtime Gonzaga assistant who’s bringing some fresh air to that program – with his recruiting acumen, a more up-tempo game and the end of the bunker mentality that had taken hold under Sean Miller.

And there might be another addition to the NCAA contenders if Washington State continues its steady rise under coach Kyle Smith – a distinct possibility considering some of the talent acquisitions of the past two recruiting classes.

Arizona Wildcats

Coach: Tommy Lloyd, 1st year 2020-21 record: 17-9 overall.

Pac-12: 11-9, 5th (tie) Key newcomers: Justin Kier (6-4, G), Shane Nowell (6-5, G), Pelle Larsson (6-5, G), Kim Aiken Jr. (6-7, F)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

UCLA’s Cody Riley drives past Gonzaga’s Drew Timme during their epic NCAA Tournament semifinal game on April 3 in Indianapolis.

Key losses: James Akinjo, Jemari Baker, Jordan Brown Outlook: It wasn’t just the NCAA violations cloud over the Sean Miller regime that got Tommy Lloyd his break; the Wildcats just haven’t been very good for several years. Nonetheless, Lloyd’s remake revolves around two holdovers, 6-7 Bennedict Mathurin and 6-11 Azoulas Tubelis, the latter a skilled young scorer. Lloyd re-recruited point guard Kerr Kriisa out of the portal to run what figures to be a more up-tempo approach, and newcomers Justin Kier (Georgia) and former Utah sharpshooter Pelle Larsson give the backcourt more pop. EWU transfer Kim Aiken Jr. gets a chance to show what he can do in higher competitive altitude.

Arizona State Sun Devils

Coach: Bobby Hurley (10483), 7th year 2020-21 record: 11-14. Pac12: 7-10, 9th Key newcomers: Marreon Jackson (6-1, G), Enoch Boakye (6-10, C), Jay Heath (6-3, G) Key losses: Remy Martin, Josh Christopher, Alonzo Verge Jr. Outlook: Ten new bodies arrive for a much-needed makeover of the Pac-12’s most disappointing team of 2021. Transfers Marreon Jackson (Toledo), Jay Heath (Boston College) and DJ Horne (Illinois State) are quality scorers and Luther Muhammad was a defensive ace at Ohio State, but it’s often a chemistry issue at ASU, and involving the big men will be a must. Marcus Bagley toe-dipped in both the NBA draft and the portal before deciding to stay, and freshman Enoch Boakye figures to be a powerful force underneath. Bouncy Jalen Graham and veteran Kimani Lawrence provide stylistic options as well as depth.

California Golden Bears

Coach: Mark Fox (23-38), 3rd year 2020-21 record: 9-20. Pac12: 3-17, 12th Key newcomers: Jordan Shepherd (6-4, G), Obinna Anyanwu (6-7, F), Marsalis Roberson (6-5 G) Key losses: Matt Bradley, Ryan Betley

Outlook: Losing top scorer Matt Bradley to the portal (and San Diego State) leaves Mark Fox’s rebuild in neutral, despite the return of three starters. Charlotte transfer Jordan Shepherd will try to replace some of Bradley’s offense, and Fox did outrecruit USC for forward Obinna Anyanwu, but the Bears need production jumps from what have been mostly complementary players. Bulky Andre Kelly is reliable, but needs to be more than that, as does super senior Grant Anticevich. This team just lacks firepower, unless youngsters like Marsalis Roberson and Jalen Celestine can play their way into the conversation.

Colorado Buffaloes

Coach: Tad Boyle (233-143), 12th year 2020-21 record: 23-9. Pac12: 14-6, 3rd Key newcomers: KJ Simpson (6-2, G), Quincy Allen (6-7, G-F), Lawson Lovering (7-0, C) Key losses: McKinley Wright, Jeriah Horne, D’Shawn Schwartz Outlook: McKinley Wright’s graduation looms large, but also opens opportunity for the Pac12’s best recruiting class and rising star Jabari Walker, who should land a regular role up front alongside top returnee Evan Battey. Tad Boyle has some veteran leadership at guard in Eli Parquet, one of the Pac-12’s top shooters and an all-defensive player, and George Mason transfer D’Shawn Schwartz. The kids to watch? Three top 100 recruits, led by scoring sensation KJ Simpson, a pickup after the coaching change at Arizona.

Lawson Lovering needs muscle, but he’s skilled for a 7-footer, and Quincy Allen’s scoring will be hard to keep out of the lineup.

Oregon Ducks

Coach: Dana Altman (280110), 12th year 2020-21 record: 21-7. Pac-12: 14-4, 1st Key newcomers: De’Vion Harmon (6-2, G), Jacob Young (6-2, G), Quincy Guerrier (6-7, F) Key losses: Chris Duarte, Eugene Omoruyi, LJ Figueroa Outlook: The usual turnover of elite talent is something Dana Altman takes in stride, even with the inevitable hiccups in the early going. And why not when you can land three double-figure transfers from Power Six programs? De’Vion Harmon and Jacob Young replenish the backcourt alongside sweet-shooting Will Richardson, while Quincy Guerrier will be a dynamic addition underneath where promising 6-11 N’Faly Dante returns from knee surgery. With starter Eric Williams Jr. returning, it could get crowded up there when Altman tries to find room for 6-11 five-star recruit Nathan Bittle, who can run the floor and shoot it outside.

Oregon State Beavers

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington forward Nate Roberts dunks against Arizona State in a game last February in Tempe, Arizona.

Coach: Wayne Tinkle (113109), 8th year 2020-21 record: 20-13. Pac12: 10-10, 6th (tie) Key newcomers: Dashawn Davis (6-3, G), Tre’ Williams (6-5,

G), Xzavier Malone-Key (6-4, G) Key losses: Ethan Thompson, Zach Reichle Outlook: Their shocking run to the Elite Eight was the delight of the NCAA Tournament, but now the Beavers must prove they’re for real – and without the production of departed Ethan Thompson. But there’s nightly double-double potential from Warith Alatishe and guard Jarod Lucas is a proven clutch shooter, and that’s where things start. Maurice Calloo’s postseason surge should land the 6-10 forward starting minutes, and 7-1 Roman Silva lends a strong defensive presence. For additional pop, Wayne Tinkle found Dashawn Davis in the junior college ranks, and Fairleigh Dickinson transfer Xzavier Malone-Key joins the rotation after sitting out 2021.

Stanford Cardinal

Coach: Jerod Haase (82-74), 6th year 2020-21 record: 14-13. Pac12: 10-10, 6th (tie) Key newcomers: Harrison Ingram (6-8, F), Isa Silva (6-4, G), Jarvis Moss (6-4, G) Key losses: Oscar da Silva, Ziaire Williams, Daejon Davis Outlook: The Cardinal feature a top-25 recruiting class which had better develop in a hurry or Jarod Haase may not get a chance to bring in another one. The jewel is 6-8 Harrison Ingram, both a playmaker and a post presence, and the heir to Oscar da Silva’s alpha role. Jaiden Delaire and Spencer Jones are also holdover starters with offensive chops, but the Cardinal look awfully thin at guard after losing Bryce Willis to pro aspirations and Daejon Davis to the portal.

Michael O’Connell will have to make a big jump at the point, and freshmen Isa Silva and Jarvis Moss better be ready to contribute.

UCLA Bruins

Coach: Mick Cronin (41-22), 3rd year 2020-21 record: 22-10. Pac12: 13-6, 4th Key newcomers: Peyton Watson (6-8, G-F), Will McClendon (6-2, G) Key losses: Chris Smith, Jalen Hill Outlook: It took Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs winging in a 40foot Hail Mary to end UCLA’s surprising tourney run from a play-in start, but now the Bruins have expectations – and the best 1-2 combo in the Pac-12 to fulfill them. That would be dynamic Johnny Juzang, who sizzled in March, and Jaime Jaquez Jr., a handful both in penetration and on the perimeter. Perpetually underestimated Tyger Campbell is a terrific distributor who can score when needed. Top 10 prospect Peyton Watson and Rutgers transfer Myles Johnson are welcome additions, but no one’s more important to UCLA’s ambitions than Cody Riley, who gritted his way through a bum ankle all last season.

USC Trojans

Coach: Andy Enfield (157110), 9th year

2020-21 record: 25-8. Pac12: 15-5, 2nd Key newcomers: Boogie Ellis (6-2, G), Harrison Hornery (69, F), Malik Thomas (6-3, G) Key losses: Evan Mobley, Tahj Eaddy Outlook: Isaiah Mobley has played alongside two NBA lottery picks – including brother Evan last season – and now has a chance to prove his bona fides as USC’s lead dog. But if the Trojans are going to replicate last year’s Elite Eight success, other complementary players are going to have to produce, too – notably 6-9 Chevez Goodwin and stretch four Max Agbonkpolo up front, Isaiah White and Ethan Anderson at guard. Drew Peterson is a versatile, reliable playmaker who should take on a bigger scoring role, and the backcourt gets a boost from Memphis transfer Boogie Ellis, an aggressive defender with a work-in-progress shot.

Utah Utes

Coach: Craig Smith, 1st year 2020-21 record: 12-13. Pac12: 8-11, 8th Key newcomers: David Jenkins Jr. (6-2, G), Boslyn Holt (6-7, G), Rollie Wooster (6-3, G) Key losses: Timmy Allen, Alfonso Plummer, Mikael Jantunen Outlook: Larry Krystowiak’s firing sent most of Utah’s major producers scurrying for the portal, so former Utah State coach Craig Smith has filled in with “his guys” – Aggies transfers Rollie Worster and Marco Anthony – and a few others. David Jenkins Jr. was a 15-point scorer at UNLV and figures to be a focal point of the offense, and Both Gach makes an intriguing return after bouncing to Minnesota for one season. The loss of Timmy Allen up front leaves questions, but opportunity for 7-foot shot blocker Branden Carlson, previous starter Riley Battin and juco operator Bostyn Holt.

Washington Huskies

Coach: Mike Hopkins (6860), 5th year 2020-21 record: 5-21. Pac12: 4-16, 11th Key newcomers: Langston Wilson (6-9, F), Daejon Davis (63, G), Terrell Brown Jr. (6-3, G) Key losses: Quade Green, Marcus Tsohonis, Erik Stevenson Outlook: The Huskies’ nosedive from the early promise of Mike Hopkins’ first two years has been ugly, and a slew of last year’s leading players beat feet. But maybe that’s not a bad thing. The restocking began with two veteran transfers, Terrell Brown (Arizona) and Daejon Davis (Stanford), both proven scorers. But the excitement comes up front, where McDonald’s All-American Jackson Grant and one-time Alabama signee Langston Wilson arrive – much-needed help for a team that was absolutely battered on the boards last year.

Still, the Huskies need more production from underperforming Nate Roberts, and a boost from West Virginia transfer Emmitt Matthews Jr. See Washington State preview on Page 15

Special Section

November 5, 2021 • Friday • S15

WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington State guard Noah Williams averaged 14.1 points per game last season while connecting on nearly 38% of his 3-point attempts.

Deep and talented, WSU eager to show it belongs with Pac-12’s best

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Coach Kyle Smith enters his third season at WSU.

By Colton Clark

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

PULLMAN – In the past two years, Washington State’s men’s basketball program ascended from the pits of obscurity. The Cougars pocketed some signature wins over NCAA Tournament qualifiers, inked some promising recruits and got their fan base believing again.

It’s been a steady, encouraging climb for WSU under coach Kyle Smith.

All of a sudden, this team is attracting attention on a scale that hasn’t been seen in Pullman in a decade.

“We haven’t done anything yet, but a lot of people are telling us we’re good,” Smith said. “So, how do you deal with that potential success?

“I feel like our talent is there. But we say all the time: ‘Hard work will beat talent unless talent’s working hard.’ We’re working hard, but it’s a process.”

The Cougars enter Year 3 of the Smith era with outside expectations aplenty. Some pundits have called them a dark-horse contender for the Big Dance.

They’ll debut a deeper, bigger and more balanced lineup when they host Alcorn State at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9 at Beasley Coliseum.

WSU plans to be at full health for Game 1, and that hasn’t been the case leading up to the opener. Mild injuries have kept multiple players sidelined for stretches in the preseason.

Asked if WSU’s staff has settled on a starting lineup, Smith replied, “Not really.”

“We’ve been a little dinged up, but I think we’re finally getting some guys back on the floor playing together,” he said. “I feel we’re a little bit behind, but we’ve got a lot more options, a lot more depth.”

In the backcourt, the Cougars have some whittling to do.

WSU boasts seven capable guards, led by star junior Noah Williams, who Smith said missed some time recently.

The coach couldn’t confirm whether that stemmed from Williams’ incident last month at a Pullman bar.

He is facing potential misdemeanor charges after allegedly getting in a scuffle with bouncers.

The Seattle product is practicing with the team and will be available for the opener. Williams, a defensive stalwart who added an impressive scoring touch last

WASHINGTON STATE MEN Nov. 9: vs. Alcorn St., noon Nov. 12: vs. Seattle, 7 p.m.

Nov. 15: vs. UC Santa Barbara, 8 p.m.

Nov. 18: at Idaho, 6 p.m.

Coming off their first winning season in nine years and an offseason that saw them reel in another nationally notable recruiting class, the Cougars seem to be on the cusp of a major breakthrough. Whether it means they’ll vie for an NCAA Tournament bid, it’s too early to tell.

But Washington State certainly has the talent to make some noise in a deep Pac-12.

KEY INGREDIENTS G-Noah Williams (14.1 ppg, 42 stls), F-Efe Abogidi (8.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 36 blks), C-Dishon Jackson (7.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg), G-Michael Flowers (ranked 15th nationally last season with 21 ppg at South Alabama).

TAKEOUT Noah Williams broke out quickly in 2019

as a gritty defensive ace who had a knack for hounding foes at the perimeter. A year later, the Seattle native had “made one of the biggest jumps I’ve seen from freshman to sophomore year,” coach Kyle Smith said.

Williams transformed into a dangerous scorer, and demonstrated his improvement by pouring in 72 points during a weekend sweep of the Bay Area schools.

year, will likely be at the top of the scouting report for opposing teams.

“He’s getting stronger,” Smith said. “You can see his back has broadened out. He’s a pro athlete, for sure. …

He just covers the court so well. He’s starting to mature physically and he’s growing up on the court, too.”

It’s uncertain who else will take the floor at guard.

Intriguing offseason additions include South Alabama transfer Michael Flowers and Tyrell Roberts, a former Division II All-American at UC San Diego.

Both will be key in WSU’s aims of limiting turnovers and improving its 3-point shooting – problem areas last season.

Freshmen Jefferson Koulibaly and Myles Rice will provide a defensive edge with their length at guard, and the Cougs are expecting significant contributions

Nov. 22: vs. Winthrop, 6 p.m.

Nov. 27: vs. E. Washington, 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 1: at Arizona St. 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 4: vs. USC, 3 p.m.

Dec. 8: vs. Weber St., 7 p.m.

Dec. 11: vs. South Dakota St., 12 p.m.

Dec. 15: New Mexico St., 7 p.m.

Dec. 18: vs. Northern Colorado, 1 p.m.

Dec. 22: vs. Boise St., 5 p.m.

from well-built sophomore T.J. Bamba.

Together, they should fill the void left by the departure of standout point guard Isaac Bonton, who’s now playing professionally overseas.

“They’re all kinda combo guards,” Smith said.

“Mike and Ty are the most experienced. Really good work ethic and good leaders, and I think either one of them with the ball in their hands, they’re going to make good decisions.”

Sophomore big men Efe Abogidi and Dishon Jackson are sure-fire starters down low. The athletic Abogidi broke out last season and Jackson came on as the campaign progressed, supplying WSU a physical interior presence.

Abogidi, who tried out for Nigeria’s Olympic team in the summer, is easing his way back to health after rehabbing a knee injury this preseason.

Smith predicts Jackson’s scoring capabilities will develop this season.

“I think we’ll be a little more balanced and hopefully a little more mature with a few more options to score,” Smith said.

Newcomer Mouhamed Gueye, one of the Cougs’ top all-time recruits, will rotate in the paint. At 6-foot-11, the Senegal native bolsters WSU’s rebounding and rim protection. Junior mainstay D.J. Rodman has proven himself reliable at forward and 6-foot-8 sophomore point-forward Andrej Jakimovski is a multifaceted play-maker.

WSU will probably send out 10 or 11 players in each game early this year and eventually trim that number.

“But we’re not there yet,” Smith said. “We can’t tell.

We’re new.”

Fifteen Cougars played during a recent scrimmage against an experienced Montana team, which took two of three tightly contested periods from WSU. “They return their top eight or nine guys, and they opened our eyes a little,” Smith said of the Grizzlies.

“It felt like we were good defensively, where we need to be, but a lot of room for us to improve.”

The Cougs were a top-30 defensive outfit in the country last season as WSU fielded a winning team for the first time in nine years. In order to take another step, Smith is hammering home the mantra that’s been in place here since he arrived.

“Defend, rebound and take care of the ball,” he said. “I don’t see why we can’t get better in each.”

Dec. 29: vs. Washington, 8 p.m.

Jan. 6: at Colorado, 6 p.m.

Jan. 8: at Utah, 3 p.m.

Jan 12: vs. Stanford, 8 p.m.

Jan. 15: vs. California, 1 p.m.

Jan. 20: at Oregon, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: at Oregon St., 5 p.m.

Jan. 26: vs. Utah, 7 p.m.

Jan. 30: vs. Colorado, 7 p.m.

Feb. 3: at Stanford, 6 p.m.

Feb. 5: at California, 1 p.m.

Feb. 10: vs. Arizona, 6 p.m.

Feb. 12: vs. Arizona St., 7 p.m.

Feb. 17: at UCLA, 8 p.m.

Feb. 20: at USC, 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 26: at Washington, 3 p.m.

March 3: vs. Oregon St., 8 p.m.

March 5: vs. Oregon, 1 p.m.

S16 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

A FULL PLATE OF OPTIONS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Idaho guard Beyonce Bea looks to shoot during the Big Sky Conference championship game in Boise last March.

Inside-out game of Beyonce Bea should help Idaho women find better balance

By Jim Allen

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

JESSE TINSLEY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Idaho’s Tanner Christensen provides the Vandals with size and sturdiness in the paint.

FRESH APPROACH

New home, optimism as Idaho men seek to establish identity

By Peter Harriman

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

For a team that won a single game last year and brought in nine new players, the star of the Idaho Vandals’ early season will be their unique new home, the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena.

Until all the newly minted Vandals can establish an identity equal to their dramatic new venue, the building beats the ballers. Where things go from there, however, is in the hands of a bunch of first-year players and several holdovers who will determine the trajectory of Idaho’s program.

Vandals coach Zac Claus expects this season’s team to be more explosive and to have an easier time scoring and playing at varying tempos than last year’s group that was able to keep many games close but struggled mightily to score points, especially in up-tempo games.

Idaho is also going to be long on experience. The Vandals have added graduate transfers in 6-foot-2 guard Mikey Dixon from Grand Canyon University, 6-5 Jemeil King from Bellevue University and 6-3 Nolan Bertain, a Portland native who most recently played at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

“He’s a great shooter. He can knock down the 3-point shot. He brings maturity, and he’s a great teammate,” Claus said of Bertain.

Grand Canyon also gave the Vandals a junior transfer, Rashad Smith, a sturdy 6-4, 200-pounder.

“He’s arguably our best defensive guy,” Claus said. Also, “he’s the best

IDAHO MEN Nov. 10: vs. Long Beach St., 6 p.m.

Nov. 12: vs. George Fox, 6 p.m.

Nov. 15: at Fresno St., 7 p.m.

Nov. 18: vs. Washington St., 6 p.m.

Nov. 22: vs. Utah Valley, 2:30 p.m.* Nov. 24: Cal Poly/Nicholls St., TBA.* Nov. 27: at North Dakota St., 5 p.m.

Dec. 4: vs. Southern Utah, 2 p.m.

Dec. 8: vs. South Dakota, 6 p.m.

Dec. 11: at CSU Bakersfield, 7 p.m.

Dec. 18: vs. SAGU, 2 p.m.

Dec. 22: at Cal.-Riverside, 7 p.m.

Dec. 30: at Northern Arizona, 7 p.m.

Jan. 1: at Portland St., 7:05 p.m.

Jan. 6: vs. Montana St., 6 p.m.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS The Vandals must outperform their recent history as a determined but limited opponent. Idaho is playing in a brand new building, ICCU Arena, but ironically maturity may be the Vandals’ key characteristic. This year’s team brings a wide array of worldly experience. If these veterans can mesh by March they may have something to say about who represents the league in the NCAA tournament.

KEY INGREDIENTS G-Gabe Quinnett (9.6 ppg, 44% on threes), Mikey Dixon (8.3 ppg, 43.1% from beyond the arc as a junior), Tanner Christensen (4.3 rpg, 14 blks), Rashad Smith (played one season at Grand Canyon University but dominated before that at Pima Community College with 18.8 ppg and 8.3 rpg as a sophomore).

TAKEOUT Idaho expects to have significantly enhanced its scoring. Nothing makes it easier for shooters, however, than a defense that has to sag to the lane. At an agile 6-10, 260 pounds, Tanner Christensen will get everyone’s attention. In his first season back playing basketball following a two-year LDS mission, the former University High standout had season highs of 12 points and 8 rebounds last year. If this is a prelude to what he can do this year, and if he is backed by 6-7, 245-pound Philip Peppl Jr., Idaho’s shooters may really be able to cook.

passer on the team.

“The older guys bring offensive dynamics and physicality to the team,” Claus said.

Jan. 8: at Eastern Washington, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 13: at Weber St., 6 p.m.

Jan. 15: at Idaho St., 5 p.m.

Jan. 20: vs. Northern Colorado, 6 p.m.

Jan. 22: vs. Sacramento St., 2 p.m.

Jan. 27: at Montana, 6 p.m.

Jan. 29: at Montana St., 3 p.m.

Feb. 3: at Southern Utah, 6 p.m.

Feb. 10: vs. Idaho St., 6 p.m.

Feb. 12: vs. Weber St. 2 p.m.

Feb. 17: vs. Montana Feb. 19: vs. Eastern Washington, 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 24: at Sacramento St., 7:05 p.m.

Feb. 26: at Northern Colorado, 5 p.m.

March 3: vs. Portland St., 6 p.m.

March 5: vs. Northern Arizona, 2 p.m. *-Games played in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.

Dixon “is as accomplished a scorer as we have.”

Dixon has been around. He played a season at Quinnipiac, a season at St. John’s and two at Grand Canyon before finding his way to Idaho. He’s a reliable 3-point shooter, who might pair well with sophomore Gabe Quinnett, 6-4, of Moscow, who averaged almost 10 points a game on 43.9% shooting from 3-point range last season. Claus said Idaho will “absolutely rely on” Quinnett for leadership.

The Vandals also return 6-10, 260-pound Tanner Christensen, from University High School in Spokane Valley. He was the leading rebounder last season, averaging 4.3 per game, and he gave the Vandals a presence in the lane, shooting 48.2% from the floor.

“He did a nice job out of the chute,” Claus said.

Christensen gives Idaho experience far beyond his class ranking, since he picked up his basketball career last season following a two-year LDS mission. Another returning player, Ethan Kilgore, 6-5, 210, should build on his 4.1 points per game scoring and 2.3 rebounds as a freshman.

In the paint, the Vandals are also looking to 6-7, 245-pound Philip Pepple, a junior from Shoreline, Washington., who played a couple years of junior college ball at Casper (Wyo.) College and a season at Southern Illinois University before coming to Idaho.

“He’s big and strong. He’s a physical presence who can protect the rim and rebound,” Claus said.

Trevante Anderson, a 6-1 junior transfer from Tacoma who played three seasons at San Francisco, and King, 6-5, give the Vandals an ability to get to the basket from the perimeter.

“I like these guys,” Claus said. “We have guys that have the potential to accomplish really good things.”

IDAHO WOMEN Nov. 7: vs. Whitman College (Exh.), 2 p.m.

Nov. 9: vs. Lewis-Clark St., 6 p.m.

Nov. 14: vs. San Diego, 1 p.m.

Nov. 21: vs. Washington St. 2 p.m.

Nov. 26: vs. San Francisco, 1 p.m.* Nov. 27: vs. Nevada, 2 p.m.* Nov. 28: vs. Drake, 1 p.m.* Dec. 4: at Southern Utah, 1 p.m.

Dec. 11: at Texas, 11 a.m.

Dec. 17: vs. Oregon St., TBA** Dec. 18: vs. Northern Iowa, TBA** Dec. 30: vs. Northern Arizona, 6 p.m.

Jan. 1: vs. Portland St., 2 p.m.

Jan. 6: at Montana St., 6 p.m.

Jan. 8: at Eastern Washington, 5:30 p.m.

Idaho women’s basketball has a new look. It begins with the Vandals’ new digs, the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena, which coach Jon Newlee has called a “huge game-changer” in recruiting.

“Already, the future classes … that we’ve been talking to are all blown away by this,” said Newlee, in his 13th season. “And TAKEOUT the ones we’ve Versatile brought on camenough to play pus already, they guard and post, walk in and their Beyonce eyes get big.”

Bea averaged Expect a few a team-high changes on the 16.2 points to court as well ranked third in when the Vanthe conference. dals tip off the A 6-foot-1 season Nov. 9 junior from against Lewis & Washougal, Clark State ColWash., Bea lege. was versatile The Vandals enough to (17-7 overall and shoot 28% from 13-4 in the Big long range Sky Conference while blocking last year) grad25 shots. uated Gabi Harrington, Gina Marxen and Natalie Klinker, who combined for 52 starts and almost half their points.

Long known for its outside shooting, Idaho appears to offer a more balanced inside-out threat led by all-conference first-team forward Beyonce Bea. Sophomore guard Sydney Gandy is coming off an all-Big Sky tournament appearance after helping the Vandals reach the title game. She averaged 10.5 points and shot 29.9% from 3-point range.

Picked to finish third in both the media and coaches polls, the Vandals got some shooting help from grad transfer Louise Forsyth, who played four years at Gonzaga.

The inside game should get a boost from redshirt sophomore Tiana Johnson, a 6-foot-2 post who made 18 starts last year at Big Sky rival Sacramento State.

Idaho faces a challenging non-conference schedule that includes games against NCAA Tournament participants Washington State, Oregon State and Texas.

Jim Allen can be reached at (509) 4595437 or by email at jima@spokesman. com

Jan. 13: vs. Weber St., 6 p.m.

Jan. 15: vs. Idaho St., 2 p.m.

Jan. 20: at Northern Colorado, 5 p.m.

Jan. 22: at Sacramento St., 2 p.m.

Jan. 27: vs. Montana, 6 p.m.

Jan. 29: vs. Montana St., 2 p.m.

Feb. 3: vs. Southern Utah, 6 p.m.

Feb. 10: at Idaho St., 6 p.m.

Feb. 12: at Weber St., 12 p.m.

Feb. 17: at Montana, 6 p.m.

Feb. 19: vs. Eastern Washington, 2 p.m.

Feb. 24: vs. Sacramento St., 6 p.m.

Feb. 26: vs. Northern Colorado, 2 p.m.

March 2: at Portland St., 6 p.m.

March 4: at Northern Arizona, 5 p.m. *-Games played in Reno, Nev. **-Games played in Maui, Hawaii

Special Section

November 5, 2021 • Friday • S17

2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

STARTING FROM SCRATCH

New-look Eastern Washington can still lean on a championship core despite heavy losses after last season’s NCAA Tournament appearance

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Guard Aaliyah Alexander averaged 10.7 points per game as a freshman for Eastern Washington last season.

TYLER TJOMSLAND/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

As one of six holdovers from last season’s NCAA Tournament team, Eastern Washington guard Casson Rouse will be counted on for scoring and leadership.

EXCITED ABOUT LEFTOVERS

By Dan Thompson

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

David Riley’s tenure as Eastern Washington’s men’s basketball coach began in March, and he had little time to waste.

More than half the roster left when former coach Shantay Legans did, leaving behind six players for Riley, who was promoted from associate head coach to replace his former boss.

Just three of those six could reasonably be considered regular contributors on last year’s NCAA Tournament team, but all of them have formed an important core to this season’s squad.

“We were telling them and teaching them how to lead and how to hold guys accountable,” Riley said, “because when we hit the ground running in late June, with all our guys, they’re the ones who had to set the standard.”

And if anyone understands that standard, Riley said, it’s those six: Austin Fadal, Steele Venters, Isaiah Amato, Casson Rouse, Victor Radocaj and Ellis Magnuson.

“We know what it’s like to win a championship,” Riley said. “Everyone that was on our team last year developed in our program, and they understand the process for us to get better.”

Joining those six returners are 12 newcomers, a collection of transfers and freshmen. They are all at Eastern to prove that the expectation the Eagles will take a step back this year – they were picked to finish eighth and

EWU MEN Nov. 9: at Nevada, 7 p.m.

Nov. 12: at UC Davis, 2 p.m.

Nov. 15: vs. Walla Walla, 6 p.m.

Nov. 19: at Cal. State-Northridge, 2 p.m.

Nov. 20: vs. Texas St./Dixie St., TBA* Nov. 27: at Washington St., 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 2: vs. Southern Utah, 6 p.m.

Dec. 4: at Omaha, 10 a.m.

Dec. 8: at Colorado, 5 p.m.

Dec. 11: at North Dakota, 11 a.m.

Dec. 15: vs. Multnomah, 6 p.m.

Dec. 22: at Texas Tech, TBA. Dec. 30: at Portland St., 7 p.m.

Jan. 1: at Northern Arizona, 1 p.m.

Jan. 6: vs. Montana, 6 p.m.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS While all six returners are underclassmen, five of the newcomers are junior or senior transfers. So the team won’t be especially young; it will just be very unproven. This team also won’t carry the weight so often put upon defending conference tournament champions, and with many holes to fill from last year’s team, there could be a new star just waiting for his opportunity.

KEY INGREDIENTS G-Rylan Bergersen (16.9 ppg, 4.6 apg at Central Arkansas), F-Angelo Allegri (7.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg at UNC Greensboro), F-Linton Acliese III (17.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg at San Francisco State), G-Casson Rouse (5.2 ppg, 1.5 apg, 34.3% on 3s career at EWU)

TAKEOUT

Guard Rylan Bergersen, whose father Roberto is an assistant coach for the Eagles, has played 104 games of Division I basketball, and his should fill in for some of the experience that the team lost after so many players transferred in the spring. Last season, Bergersen – a Boise native – led UCA in minutes, points, 3-pointers made, assists and steals.

seventh by the coaches and media, respectively, in the 11-team Big Sky Conference – is unfounded.

The 12 new players hail from five different states and three foreign countries, but each is somehow connected to the program, Riley said, and the connotation is that each was specifically pursued. Recruiting was done over video calls and phone calls, and Riley was seeking three key traits beyond basketball skills: high character, high IQ and high motor.

“Those are the three most important things for us, and you don’t get to see that based on watching a game,” Riley said.

When the team first convened for a dinner in June, they talked about their goals both as a team and as indi-

Jan. 8: vs. Idaho, TBA. Jan. 13: at Idaho St., 6 p.m.

Jan. 15: at Weber St., 5 p.m.

Jan. 20: vs. Sacramento St. 6 p.m.

Jan. 22: vs. Northern Colorado, 2 p.m.

Jan. 27: at Montana St. 6 p.m.

Jan 29: at Montana, 6 p.m.

Feb. 5: at Southern Utah, 6 p.m.

Feb. 10: vs. Weber St., 6 p.m.

Feb. 12: vs. Idaho St., 2 p.m.

Feb. 17: vs. Montana St., 6 p.m.

Feb. 19: at Idaho, 2 p.m.

Feb. 24: at Northern Colorado, 2 p.m.

Feb. 26: at Sacramento St., 7 p.m.

March 3: vs. Northern Arizona, 6 p.m.

March 5: vs. Portland St., 2 p.m. *-Game played in Northridge, Calif.

viduals, and it was clear to Riley that everyone on the roster has a chip, he said, that they were overlooked somehow, whether in college or in high school.

But together now at Eastern, Riley said, “they have an opportunity to show the world what they can do.

That’s a fun mindset to have.”

Lately, then, the focus has been on bringing together the old with the new and developing team chemistry as Eastern prepares for a road-heavy nonconference schedule.

The Eagles will play just three of their first 12 games at home. They host Walla Walla on Nov. 15, Southern Utah – the Big Sky preseason favorite – on Dec. 2, and then Multnomah on Dec. 15.

EWU WOMEN Nov. 5: vs. Whitworth (Exh.), 6 p.m.

Nov. 11: vs. San Jose St., 6 p.m.

Nov. 14: at Pepperdine, 2 p.m.

Nov. 16: at Grand Canyon, 6 p.m.

Nov. 21: vs. Evergreen, 2 p.m.

Nov. 27: vs. Multnomah, 2 p.m.

Dec. 2: at Southern Utah, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 10: vs. Boise St., 6 p.m.

Dec. 18: at Washington, 6 p.m.

Dec. 19: vs. Nevada, 2 p.m.* Dec. 21: vs. Gonzaga, 6 p.m.

Dec. 30: vs. Portland St., 6 p.m.

Jan. 1: vs. Northern Arizona, 2 p.m.

Jan. 6: at Montana, 6 p.m.

Jan. 8: at Idaho, 2 p.m.

New coach Joddie Gleason will lean on host of new players as rebuild begins at EWU

By Jim Allen

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Perhaps no college basketball coach in the Pacific Northwest faces a bigger rebuilding job than Joddie Gleason at Eastern Washington.

Following a 6-17 season and the abrupt departure of several players, the Eagles dismissed 20year coach Wendy Schuller.

On May 21, Eastern announced the hiring of Gleason, the winningest coach at Division II Humboldt State and more recently an assistant at Seattle University.

In quick order, Gleason assembled a new staff and added eight new players to the eight returnees.

“The team is working hard to learn our new system and I have no doubt that we will be ready for our preseaTAKEOUT son games in early NoThree years vember,” Gleason said. ago, Jacinta Expectations are Buckley helped low – no surprise, as lead Lewis and the offseason deparClark High School tures accounted the to second place at bulk of the scoring and state. Now she’s rebounding. Also, the with the Eagles Eagles have just four after two years upperclassmen on the at UNLV, where roster. last year the 5-8 Eastern was picked guard played by coaches to finish in all 24 games last place in the 11and averaged 2.5 team Big Sky Conpoints. ference. The media picked them 10th.

The Eagles open the regular season at home against San Jose State on Nov. 11. The Eagles also get Gonzaga and Boise State at Reese Court.

Guard Aaliyah Alexander, who averaged 10.7 points per game as a freshman, is EWU’s top returnee. Others – all underclassmen – include Nuria Cunil, a 6-foot-1 forward from Spain who had 17 blocks last year; Gabrielle Jung, a 5-10 guard (3.4 ppg); Kallie Schaplow, a 5-10 wing who saw action in 18 games last season; and Milly Knowles, a 6-1 forward from England.

Two graduate transfers figure to contribute immediately in the backcourt. They include Jordyn Boesel, a former Okanogan, Washington, star who played four years at Saint Mary’s; and Bria Rice, a Federal Way product who played at Arizona and UNLV. Jim Allen can be reached at (509) 459-5437 or by email at jima@spokesman.com

Jan. 13: vs. Idaho St., 6 p.m.

Jan. 15: vs. Weber St., 2 p.m.

Jan. 20: at Sacramento St., 7 p.m.

Jan. 22: at Northern Colorado, 1 p.m.

Jan. 27: vs. Montana St., 6 p.m.

Jan. 29: vs. Montana, 2 p.m.

Feb. 5: vs. Southern Utah, 2 p.m.

Feb. 10: at Weber St., 5 p.m.

Feb. 12: at Idaho St., 1 p.m.

Feb. 17: at Montana St., 6 p.m.

Feb. 19: vs. Idaho, 2 p.m.

Feb. 24: vs. Northern Colorado, 6 p.m.

Feb. 26: vs. Sacramento St., 2 p.m.

March 2: at Northern Arizona, 5 p.m.

March 4: at Portland St. 6 p.m. *-Game played in Seattle

S18 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

BRINGING ENERGY TO THE TABLE

After transferring from EWU, Groves brothers look to make impact at Oklahoma

From staff and wire reports So much has changed with the Oklahoma basketball program.

And much of that begins with brothers Tanner and Jacob Groves.

The former Shadle Park and Eastern Washington standouts were among several transfers the Sooners brought in to make up for the talent lost from a squad that went 16-11 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Porter Moser arrived from Loyola-Chicago to replace retired coach Lon Kruger. And last year’s top three scorers have moved on. Austin Reaves is now with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Brady Manek has transferred to North Carolina and De’Vion Harmon transferred to Oregon.

With holes to fill, Moser looked west.

Tanner Groves, a 6-9 forward,

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Forwards Tanner Groves (35) and Jacob Groves battle for a rebound in Eastern Washington’s loss to Kansas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis last March. was the 2021 Big Sky Conference Player of the Year for EWU last year. He averaged 17.2 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting

56.0% from the field as a junior last season. Jacob is a 6-7 forward who averaged 9.3 points and 4.2 rebounds for EWU last season

while shooting 55.2% from the field as a sophomore.

The Groves’ brothers were dominant in the Eagles’ 93-84

first-round NCAA loss to Kansas last March, combining for 58 points. The pair announced their intentions to transfer last April.

“I think that in terms of March Madness and in terms of last season, I think that it had me in a mindset where it doesn’t matter who I play,” Tanner Groves said at a recent press conference.

“I’ve just got to go out there with as much confidence as I can and we’ll see what happens.” “(Tanner’s) got an energy about him,” Moser said. “He’s one of our loudest guys in practice every day. He’s communicating, he’s talking. He’s been a sponge to learn, watching tape, comes up, watches a ton of extra tape. He wants to be good.”

That’s part of the winning culture the Groves brothers brought with them from Eastern Washington.

“I’m just looking forward to stepping into a role of leadership and helping out some of the younger guys get on the same page and understand what needs to go into what it means to be part of a winning program,” Tanner said. “And so I’m just looking forward to all of that.”

After a season condensed by COVID-19, it’s full speed ahead as CCS and NIC men seek NWAC supremacy

A DASH OF EXCITEMENT

By Justin Reed

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

In a COVID-altered season, the Northwest Athletic Conference’s schedule was adjusted many times over as teams played between six and 17 games with two teams having their seasons canceled – Olympic and Shoreline.

The Community Colleges of Spokane played 17 games while North Idaho College was on the opposite end of that spectrum, playing six.

Now, with a full schedule ahead for both programs, the Sasquatch are hoping for a more normal schedule and the Cardinals will be thankful for a full, non-condensed season.

But, the opportunity to have a preseason not impacted by COVID has paid dividends for CCS basketball.

“We’re feeling great that we have a normal process, you could call it, a normal season coming up, where we had preseason workouts, conditioning, normal practices,” ninth-year coach Jeremy Groth said. “And so, we’re thankful we have an opportunity to compete normally this year and kind of a normal schedule.”

Yet, the impact of COVID is still present this season as college athletes were granted another year of eligibility.

“We have four guys that are basically called like super sophomores,” Groth said. “Technically, this would be their third year playing, so we have three guys who have played big minutes for us these last two years, starters basically.”

It starts with Kobe Reese, their

COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Community Colleges of Spokane center Kobe Reese grabs a rebound away from North Idaho College forward Akeyse Rice during their game last April at NIC. big man who played at Shadle Park. Then, two players from Alaska, wings Jaron Williams and Kaeleb Johnson. Those three were starters two seasons ago when CCS earned the No. 1 seed out of the East Division.

But the division will be tough sledding again for the Sasquatch as they will go against North Idaho, who Groth said always battles them hard.

“It’s going to be a good fight, night in and night out,” Groth

CCS MEN Nov. 6: at Yakima Valley (Exh.), 11 a.m.

Nov. 12: Alumni Game, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 19: vs. Gonzaga Club (Exh.), 4 p.m.

Nov. 26: Red Devil Classic, 6 p.m.

Dec. 3: Bigfoot Classic, TBA. Dec. 10: at Everett, 7 p.m.

Dec. 11: at Shoreline, TBA. Dec. 17: vs. Grays Harbor, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 18: vs. Clackamas, 6 p.m.

Dec. 19: vs. Edmonds, 3 p.m.

Dec. 29: at Chemekata, TBA. Dec. 30: at Portland CC, 2 p.m.

Jan. 5: at Blue Mountain, 7:30 p.m.

said. “Gotta bring it, gotta be ready. And hopefully our preseason schedule allows us to (get rolling) as we go on the road quite a bit, playing good teams.”

The Sasquatch have lofty goals for this new season, but they will focus on themselves first and foremost and the rest will take care of itself.

“We are just taking care of business every day trying to be trying to get better,” Groth said.

“It’s just one day at a time, give

Jan. 8: vs. North Idaho, 4 p.m.

Jan. 12: at Walla Walla Jan. 16: vs. Treasure Valley, 4 p.m.

Jan. 17: vs. Wenatchee Valley, 4 p.m.

Jan. 19: at Yakima Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: vs. Big Bend, 4 p.m.

Jan. 26: at Columbia Basin, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2: vs. Walla Walla, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 5: at Big Bend, 4 p.m.

Feb. 9: vs. Blue Mountain, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 12: at Wenatchee Valley, 4 p.m.

Feb. 16: vs. Yakima Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 19: at Treasure Valley, 3 p.m.

Feb. 21: vs. Columbia Basin, 4 p.m.

Feb. 23: at North Idaho, 7:30 p.m.

it our best effort every day. And that’s that’s the first thing we kind of focus on or worry about.

And then the goal for this winter is to compete at a high level. Just enjoy the journey, enjoy being together, enjoy competing and we’ll see where that takes us.”

Spokane’s first games will be at the Red Devil Classic, which begins Nov. 26 at Lower Columbia College.

Its first conference game is Jan. 5 at Blue Mountain.

CCS WOMEN Nov. 6: vs. Gonzaga Club, 2 p.m.

Nov. 12: vs. CCS Alumni, 5:30 p.m.

Nov. 13: vs. Carroll Col. JV, 2 p.m.

Nov. 19: at Whatcom, 4 p.m.

Nov. 20: at Green River, 1 p.m.

Nov. 21: vs. Peninsula Col., 11 a.m.

Dec. 3: vs. Skagit Valley, 5 p.m.

Dec. 4: at Everett, 6 p.m.

Dec. 5: vs. Clackamas, 12 p.m.

Dec. 10: vs. South Puget, 7 p.m.

Dec. 11: vs. Edmonds, 5 p.m.

Dec. 28: at Skagit Valley, 8 p.m.

Dec. 29: vs. South Puget, 6 p.m.

North Idaho has its first game at Green River on Dec. 9 and the Cardinals will host Columbia Basin for their first conference game Jan. 5.

The two play each other twice, first at Spokane on Jan. 8, then North Idaho welcomes Spokane on Feb. 23.

2021-22 schedules for the North Idaho College men and women were not made available at press time.

Dec. 30: vs. Douglas Col., 2 p.m.

Jan. 5: at Blue Mountain, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 8: vs. North Idaho, 2 p.m.

Jan. 12: at Walla Walla, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 15: vs. Treasure Valley, 2 p.m.

Jan. 16: vs. Yakima Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 17: vs. Wenatchee Valley, 2 p.m.

Jan. 19: at Yakima Valley, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 22: vs. Big Bend, 2 p.m.

Jan. 26: at Columbia Basin, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 2: vs. Walla Walla, 2 p.m.

Feb. 5: at Big Bend, 2 p.m.

Feb. 9: vs. Blue Mountain, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 12: at Wenatchee Valley, 2 p.m.

Feb. 21: vs. Columbia Basin, 5:30 p.m.

Special Section

November 5, 2021 • Friday • S19

2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL

WHITWORTH/CCS/NIC WOMEN

READY TO SPICE THINGS UP

Pirates, Sasquatch, Cardinals excited to return

By Justin Reed

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

DAN PELLE/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

Forward Miguel Lopez returns to lead the Whitworth Pirates. He averaged more than 12 points per game last season.

SEASONED CREW

Veteran Whitworth team sets sights on NWC crown, tournament run

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS The Pirates will be a favorite to win the NWC and to return to the NCAA Tournament. They boast a conference Player of the Year candidate in 6-6 forward Liam Fitzgerald, whose all-around abilities make him a difficult matchup. Graduate student Jordan Lester gives them leadership and depth.

KEY INGREDIENTS

By Dan Thompson

F-Miguel Lopez (12.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg), G-Garrett Paxton (11.6 ppg, 40.5% on 3s), F-Liam Fitzgerald (11.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 24 steals), G-Rowan Anderson (11.2 ppg, 5.3 apg)

FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW

The core of Whitworth’s men’s basketball team has been through a lot together these past couple seasons.

There was the Division III NCAA Tournament run that ended with a victory – but not a championship – when the pandemic abruptly ended the event after the Round of 32 in March 2020.

Then there was last season, when the Pirates played a modified Northwest Conference schedule and lost multiple games due to COVID-19, while the NCAA cancelled the postseason tournament entirely.

So when Damion Jablonski looks at a schedule that includes not just the full complement of NWC opponents, but also some marquee nonconference matchups as well, the third-year coach welcomes the normalcy.

“It should be refreshing that we have a more normal season,” Jablonski said. “At the same time, we learned a lot about adaptability last year, so the lessons we learned will help us keep things in perspective.”

The Pirates return all five of their regular starters from a season ago, when they went 12-5 overall and 8-2 in a NWC schedule that included a lot of games (four each) with Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran.

TAKEOUT

Point guard Rowan Anderson started all 15 games he played last season, and while his scoring average went down slightly on a per-minute basis, his assist rate increased slightly and his turnover rate dropped significantly. If he can continue that improvement and be a steady hand at the point for the Pirates, their offense should hum as well as any in the NWC.

They also welcome back graduate student Jordan Lester, whose eligibility has been extended multiple times due to injuries and the pandemic. He is joined by fellow graduate student Miguel Lopez, who transferred to Whitworth before last season and led the team in minutes per game (24.9) and scoring (12.6 points).

“Probably the first word that characterizes our team is experienced,” Jablonski said. “Jordan and Miguel are guys who really want to make the most of this final opportunity. A lot of stuff’s been taken away from them the last few years, so it’s great to have some senior leadership that has a sense of urgency. And we have six seniors, so we have a lot of urgency.”

The other four are JT McDermott, Liam Fitzgerald, Garrett Paxton and Rowan Anderson, who each started every game they played last season and finished as the team’s next four

WHITWORTH MEN Nov. 5: vs. Greenville, 3 p.m.

Nov. 6: vs. Redlands, 8 p.m.

Nov. 12: at Wisconsin-Platteville, 5 p.m.

Nov. 13: at Wisconsin-Whitewater, 5 p.m.

Nov. 20: vs. Whitworth Alumni, 4 p.m.

Nov. 26: at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 8 p.m.

Nov. 27: at Pomona-Pitzer, 6 p.m.

Dec. 4: at Willamette, 6 p.m.

Dec. 7: vs. Whitman, 8 p.m.

Dec. 12: vs. Colorado Col., 12 p.m.

Dec. 17: vs. Schreiner, 7 p.m.

Dec. 30: vs. Wisconsin-River Falls, 7 p.m.

Jan. 7: vs. Pacific (Oregon), 8 p.m.

Jan. 8: vs. Linfield, 6 p.m.

Jan. 14: vs. Puget Sound, 8 p.m.

Jan. 15: vs. Pacific Lutheran, 6 p.m.

Jan. 21: at Lewis-Clark Col., 8 p.m.

Jan. 22: at George Fox, 6 p.m.

Jan 25: at Whitman, 8 p.m.

Jan. 28: vs. Willamette, 8 p.m.

Feb. 4: at Linfield, 8 p.m.

Feb. 5: at Pacific (Oregon), 6 p.m.

Feb. 11: at Pacific Lutheran, 8 p.m.

Feb. 12: at Puget Sound, 6 p.m.

Feb. 18: vs. George Fox, 8 p.m.

Feb. 19: vs Lewis-Clark Col., 6 p.m.

top scorers behind Lopez. Lester, when healthy, has averaged double-figures in scoring.

That gives the Pirates a core to build around, and they also return contributors like junior Jerry Twenge, a Mt. Spokane High graduate, and sophomore Jake Holtz, who showed promise as his role increased throughout last season.

Whitworth starts this season ranked No. 19 in the d3hoops.com national poll, in which they received one first-place vote. The Pirates open at home on Nov. 5 and 6 with games against Greenville and Redlands, part of the Tip-Off Classic, with fellow NWC team Pacific rounding out the event.

“They’re extremely ready, and they really want to play in front of fans again,” Jablonski said of his team.

“That sure adds enjoyment for every college athlete.”

A veteran-laden Whitworth women’s basketball team returns 11 players from a season ago with three newcomers peppered in.

With a challenging and testing schedule that begins with an exhibition against Eastern Washington on Nov. 5, fourth-year coach Joial Griffith is excited to see what her Pirates can do.

“They’ve been around the block a little bit, for lack of a better phrase, just in terms of my expectations for the team and for them,” Griffith said.

“And I think we have a pretty challenging schedule that will help us well, once we get into conference play.”

In a COVID-shortened season, the Pirates went 4-4 in a Northwest Conference-only schedule. The goal for the Pirates is to get into the conference tournament and vie for a spot in the conference championship.

The three seniors who will help try to reach that pinnacle are fourth-year starter Megan Dorney, Quincy McDeid and Talia Brandner.

Griffith said Dorney is one of the premier posts in the conference due to her flexibility on the defensive end and her high efficiency on offense – she has shot more than 50% in her career.

McDeid, a North Central graduate, was the Pirates’ leading scorer (12.1 points per game) and rebounder (7.1) from a season ago. She can stretch the defense with her shooting.

Hawaii-native Brandner returns as Whitworth’s primary ball-handler but is working to become a dangerous off-ball guard. Griffith called her one of more creative players on the roster.

The regular season kicks off Nov. 12 against Whitman at home in the Quality Inn Whitworth Classic. Conference play starts Jan. 7 against Pacific at home.

Community Colleges of Spokane

With 17 women on the roster, CCS is seeing itself get better each practice as players are fighting for more floor time.

“I feel like we’re deep at a lot of positions,” second-year coach Jessica Kramer said. “And everybody has just been very bought in so far. And practice has been competitive every day, which is exciting for me as a coach, because I know that we’re getting better with each practice. No matter who we put together, it’s competitive.”

Starting point guard Lizze Perry – a sophomore from Oakesdale – is the gym rat of the team. Her effort on both ends of the floor show up on tape and help push her teammates to match her pace.

Sophomore Dejah Wilson is one of the best athletes on the team. She snagged 19 rebounds against Yakima Valley last year and will play more as a wing player who can also post up.

On the outside is sharpshooter Emma Main (Mt. Spokane), one of the quicker players on the team, who can knock down transition threes.

“When she’s hot, she’s hot,” Kramer said.

Many local freshman joi the roster, including Mt. Spokane’s Gracey Neal, East Valley’s Ellie Stowell, Deer Park’s Taylor Lyons, Clarkston’s AJ Sobotta and Liberty’s Delaney Goodwin.

The Sasquatch have multiple exhibition games scheduled, but their regular season starts on Nov. 19 at Whatcom Community College.

North Idaho

After filling in on an interim basis a season ago, Korina Baker returns as the coach of North Idaho.

Baker is building the Cardinals with nine freshmen, many from the Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Rathdrum area.

But the first-year player to keep an eye on is Ephrata’s Payton Hagy.

Baker said the point guard is a quick floor general who sees passing lanes very well. She is still learning how the Cardinals want to play, but she is quickly acclimating.

“She’s going to get quite a bit of minutes for us,” Baker said.

Down low is sophomore Maggie Graves, who is a powerful threat near the basket.

“She played big minutes for us last year when we had seven players, and she’ll see a lot of them this year,” Baker said.

On the perimeter is Kaylee Banks, a Sandpoint graduate who is also expecting decent floor time.

Her ability to attack the basket and split the defense will make her one of the top guards for the Cardinals this year.

The Northwest Athletic Conference is a guard-powered league, so Baker wants her Cardinals to run the floor and attack in transition.

WHITWORTH WOMEN Nov. 5: at E. Washington (Exh.), 6 p.m.

Nov. 12: vs. Southern Oregon, 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 13: vs. Montana Western, 4 p.m.

Nov. 19: at Carroll (Mont.), 5 p.m.

Nov. 24: at Whittier, 4 p.m.

Nov. 26: vs. Pomona-Pitzer, 1 p.m.

Nov. 27: at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 3:30 p.m.

Dec. 4: at Willamette, 4 p.m.

Dec. 7: vs. Whitman, 6 p.m.

Dec. 11: vs. Colorado Col., 4 p.m.

Dec. 12: vs. Walla Walla, 3 p.m.

Dec. 30: at Central Washington, 5 p.m.

Jan. 7: vs. Pacific (Oregon), 6 p.m.

Jan. 8: vs. Linfield, 4 p.m.

Jan. 14: vs. Puget Sound, 6 p.m.

Jan. 15: vs. Pacific Lutheran, 4 p.m.

Jan. 21: at Lewis-Clark Col., 6 p.m.

Jan. 22: at George Fox, 4 p.m.

Jan. 25: at Whitman, 6 p.m.

Jan. 28: vs. Willamette, 6 p.m.

Feb. 4: at Linfield, 6 p.m.

Feb. 5: at Pacific (Oregon), 4 p.m.

Feb. 11: at Pacific Lutheran, 6 p.m.

Feb. 12: at Puget Sound, 4 p.m.

Feb. 18: vs. George Fox, 6 p.m.

Feb. 19: vs. Lewis-Clark Col., 4 p.m.

S20 • Friday • November 5, 2021

Special Section

GONZAGA BULLDOGS I 2021-22 COLLEGE BASKETBALL NEMBHARD Continued from 5

(Pangos) was definitely the guy in town for sure,” Nembhard said. “… I used to watch his games a lot. My dad used to bring me to his high school games and stuff.

We used to love his games, love his family.”

Little did Nembhard know Pangos would become a central figure in his decision to transfer from Florida to Gonzaga. Twice he teamed up with Pangos at the international level, wearing the Canadian flag for the senior national team for FIBA World Cup qualifying games in the summer in 2018 and at the FIBA World Cup in 2019. Pangos could lend insight into playing point guard for Few, while Canadian teammates and former Zags Kelly Olynyk and Kyle Wiltjer could offer Nembhard anecdotes from their redshirt years at GU – the route he was supposed to take before getting a waiver approved last fall.

“That was a big reason I wanted to come here and get better last year,” Nembhard said. “Obviously I got the opportunity to play and that was great, but they just kind of taught me how Gonzaga’s culture was and how their player development was and it was just really attractive to me.”

Instead Nembhard developed in real time, from Gonzaga’s “sixth starter” to the Bulldogs’ go-to option at point guard, where he started 13 of the final 14 games and furnished an impeccable assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.12 in six NCAA Tournament games.

Nembhard’s poise has been a major weapon for a Gonzaga team that tends to find itself in more high-pressure moments the deeper it goes in the NCAA Tournament and his vision should continue to be a crucial asset for a program that returns one of the country’s premier lowpost players in Drew Timme and brings in a highly-skilled shooter in freshman Chet Holmgren, a five-star recruit.

“He knows the game, he has a high IQ, he moves the ball unselfishly. He plays at a fast pace,” Claude Nembhard said. “These are all things Gonzaga’s guards need to do. He’s an ideal fit for that system. He’s got some size.

He’s just an ideal fit for what Coach Few does over there.”

Nembhard sees some Pangos in his own game, drawing parallels to his countryman’s “poise” as well as “just the way he sees the game.”

Gonzaga assistant Brian Mi-

chaelson points to Nembhard’s frame – the Bulldogs’ official roster lists him at 6-foot-5, 193 pounds – as something that separates the veteran from a handful, though not all, of the decorated point guards who’ve come through Spokane during Few’s 22-year run.

“It’s hard to set yourself apart from all the great ones we’ve had last 20-something years under Coach Few,” Michaelson said. “Obviously his size is really unique. We’ve had good big point guards, you think about Blake (Stepp), Nigel (Williams-Goss), (Matt) Bouldin, Jalen (Suggs).

He’s every bit as big as those

RECRUITING Continued from 7

ball screens. Guys like the way we share the ball, the chemistry and the culture we have. And obviously, the proof that you can come here and be drafted in the lottery, top 10, top five.”

Wait, there’s more.

“From a scheduling and television standpoint, it’s at the peak,” said Michaelson, noting November games against Texas, UCLA and Duke, and Gonzaga routinely playing in premier holiday tournaments like the Maui Invitational and Battle 4 Atlantis. “Coach (Mark Few) is a Hall of Famer, he works with USA Basketball, he covers each box you can think about checking. And the guys that are here love it. They hear from Corey (Kispert) and Jalen (Suggs) what a special place this is.”

It’s been a steady rise in Few’s 22 seasons at the helm as the Zags scaled the ladder from NCAA Tournament party crashers to tourney regulars to consistent championship contenders.

ESPN director of national recruiting Paul Biancardi said the first step was becoming a consistent winner in Few’s early years and the program started to take off with talented international imports.

“When I was in coaching, Gonzaga was a name you were concerned about when you had to play them,” said Biancardi, who has been at ESPN for 13 years. “They were going to places others weren’t going as much and getting really good players on the international scene.

“Then the last five or so years, they’re getting really good talent from the States and you combine that all together and the culmination was the 2017 Final Four. I’ve

GONZAGA Continued from 3

good.”

Timme is an elite scorer, which occasionally overshadowed his knack for feeding open teammates. The 6-10 forward had at least two assists in each of the final nine games last season, including five games with four assists. He averaged 2.3 assists per game in addition to a team-high 19.0 points.

“I think Chet will drag his defender from the basket, 17 to 19 feet away,” Biancardi said. “He’s not just a big man that shoots an occasional jumper. He has

guys, bigger than Nigel.”

Michaelson said only one other Gonzaga point guard has proven to be as adept at reading and making the right play out of ball screens, which have become a staple of Few’s offense.

“Him and Perk (Josh Perkins) are the first two that come to mind with the ability to pass out of those,” Michaelson said.

Nembhard’s frame might look leaner than it did last year. Because of COVID-19 regulations in Ontario, he spent the offseason in Spokane and worked diligently to trim his body fat to 4%, noting “my body feels probably the best it’s been.”

been to a Final Four. Once you go to a Final Four it really helps recruiting down the road, not necessarily that next year but in the future. And when you get to that level it starts to attract the five-stars, the top 100s, the transfers.”

Gonzaga’s past three recruiting classes – 13th in 2019, sixth in 2020 and third in 2021, according to 247sports – rank as the highest in program history. That doesn’t factor in grad transfers that have been impactful essentially every season since Byron Wesley helped the 2015 team reach the Elite Eight.

And it doesn’t factor in sit-out transfers such as Kyle Wiltjer (Kentucky), Nigel Williams-Goss (Washington), Johnathan Williams (Missouri) and Brandon Clarke (San Jose State).

The Zags’ 2021 class – Chet Holmgren, Hunter Sallis, former Kentucky commit Nolan Hickman and Kaden Perry – is ranked ahead of blue bloods Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina and Kansas. GU’s 2020 and 2019 classes trailed Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina.

“They’re not competing with them, they’re beating them,” ESPN college basketball analyst Sean Farnham said. “When you look at what Mark has been able to build over a sustained period of time in Spokane, that once they get over this hurdle of winning a national championship – and it will happen – when it does happen, it’ll even put it more in another stratosphere.

“The most remarkable component of what Gonzaga’s been able to accomplish, or the most impressive component of what Gonzaga has accomplished during my 11 years of covering that conference at ESPN, has been the fact this program continues to recruit at a high level.”

instincts growing up from high school and travel ball that he’s going to shoot it (when open).

“Timme can obviously feed him on high-lows because Chet is going to get some mismatches. He’s not a low-post, seal-you guy like Timme, but he’ll fight for position and he’ll simply catch it and shoot it from 8, 9, 10 feet over you. He’ll be easy to find for lobs.”

Holmgren has world-class shot-blocking ability and usually makes smart, swift decisions with the ball, Biancardi said. Opponents will probably try to bully the 195-pound Holmgren.

“Adam Finkelstein, who works with us (at ESPN), made a great point when he saw Chet for the

Gonzaga coaches have other instructions for Nembhard this season: talk more and shoot more. Departing players Corey Kispert, Joel Ayayi, and to some extent Suggs, weren’t shy when it came to either during GU’s run to the national championship game last season, and as the most experienced college basketball player on the Bulldogs’ new roster, Nembhard is expected to help the voids left behind by his teammates. “(I) just have to remind myself I have a good understanding of the game and I have a lot of experience I can give to some of these young guys on the team,” he said.

Biancardi underscored the importance of the Zags’ approach to recruiting, whether it’s a top-10 high school player or a grad transfer.

“They do a really good job of knowing which players to get involved in,” he said.

“They find out who fits their culture, who fits in with their players and on campus.

It’s the right type of talent. One of the keys to recruiting: it’s not who you get all the time, it’s how you evaluate.”

Gonzaga’s style of play, fast pace and efficiency featuring versatile guards and bigs is a major selling point.

“For each kid I’m sure it’s different,” Michaelson said. “For me, I’d want to play in a fun style that fits the way the NBA is playing, more spread out and playing fast.”

The Zags probably won’t recruit globally as much as they did when Tommy Lloyd was on the coaching staff. Lloyd, now the head coach at Arizona, was largely responsible for GU’s international pipeline.

“Roger (Powell Jr., assistant coach) does (recruit overseas) so there’ll still be some involvement,” Michaelson said. “I don’t think it will ever reach where it was at one point where we’re talking about half the roster.”

Suggs joined Collins as Gonzaga’s only one-and-done freshmen, but his influence on the program’s recruiting continues.

Suggs and Holmgren were high school and AAU teammates.

On the day Sallis committed to Gonzaga, he said he was impressed watching Suggs seamlessly fit with the Zags last season.

“That was also a big part of it,” Sallis said of his decision.

“The gift that keeps giving, that’s a great way to phrase it,” Biancardi said of Suggs.

“You have to win but you also have to have talent that succeeds. When guys come

first time,” Biancardi said. “He said, ‘You know, he’s really skinny but he’s really tough and plays with an edge,’ and at that time Chet was even skinnier. He’s highly competitive and a team player.”

There’s much more to the Zags than just their formidable frontcourt duo. Senior Andrew Nembhard is poised for a breakout year. The team is thin on Gonzaga game experience other than Timme, Nembhard and junior forward Anton Watson, but packed with young talent, though sophomore guard Dominick Harris (foot surgery) is sidelined indefinitely.

The Zags could require a matu-

“It would be doing me and them a disservice if I didn’t kind of vocalize it.”

Nembhard shot 34.7% from the 3-point line during his freshman season at Florida, but regressed as a sophomore (30.4%) before improving slightly as a junior at Gonzaga (32.3%). He maintains most haven’t seen his ceiling as a long-range shooter.

“I think my shot is honestly underrated,” Nembhard said. “I think I just need to keep shooting it with confidence.”

Theo Lawson can be reached at (509) 939-5928 or theol@ spokesman.com.

in and get the accolades, all-conference, All-America, get drafted, other players look at them and say, “You know what, I have a game similar to his. I can go to that program.’ They take notice.”

Some blue blood programs have relied on one-and-done talent but their rosters usually don’t include many older players – a key to Gonzaga’s success for two-plus decades and for numerous recent national championship teams.

Is it a slippery slope if Gonzaga continues landing one-and-dones and moves away from what’s been the program’s backbone for so long?

“No,” Farnham said. “I’ve talked to every Gonzaga player that’s walked through those doors and I will tell you they all understand the program is bigger than them.

“So it doesn’t matter whether you’re recruiting five-stars or three-stars. It doesn’t matter whether or not it’s a five-star transfer (from) a Power Five conference when he comes onto campus and all of a sudden goes, ‘Hold on, so this is what it’s supposed to be like?’ Because the experience itself and the place itself is different.”

Asked if recruiting is easier now than when he was promoted to assistant nine years ago, Michaelson said, “It’s just different. It’s really hard no matter what level you’re at, team 350 or team 1. It’s very public and dynamics are changing, NIL, is the NCAA going to exist, transfers not having to sit out. The biggest challenge is battling the elite of the elite that have other great things to offer.

“It’s continuing to find guys that fit here, fit the culture. That’s helped us stay as consistent as we’ve been.”

Jim Meehan can be reached at (509) 4595500 or at jimm@spokesman.com.

ration process that wasn’t necessary with last year’s team, which hit the ground running with an impressive 102-90 win over Kansas in the season opener. The catch is Gonzaga doesn’t have much time to mesh and begin defining roles with showdowns looming against No. 5 Texas, No. 2 UCLA, No. 9 Duke and No. 14 Alabama in the first month of the season.

“The age factor and experience factor is so crucial at this level,” Michaelson said. “Obviously this year’s group is a lot younger with five freshmen (counting Ben Gregg). Rasir (Bolton, Iowa State transfer) is experienced, but new to our system. That’s six new

bodies. Dom and Julian (Strawther) have some experience, Andrew has one year here.

“Drew’s the only guy that’s completed two seasons (Watson missed the second half of his freshman season following shoulder surgery). I can’t think of a year where we didn’t have a fourth-year guy, which is crazy.”

Nonetheless, it hasn’t dampened expectations for the Zags, ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll as they try to earn the program’s first national title.

Jim Meehan can be reached at (509) 459-5500 or at jimm@ spokesman.com.