The No. 15 Gonzaga Bulldogs, rocking *eleven* newcomers on their roster, just rolled into Las Vegas and walked out with a 78-72 win over the Purdue Boilermakers. What’s wild? They looked like they’d been playing together for years, not weeks.
This Is Not Your Daddy’s Roster, And It’s Working
Coach Mark Few had a squad that’s basically brand new, but you wouldn’t know it from how they played. They were comfortable, they were clicking, and they were in charge for nearly 35 minutes of that 40-minute showdown. Oh, and against a supposedly “larger” Purdue team, the Zags still won the rebounding battle 34-31. That’s a huge early statement! Purdue, on the other hand, is deep into a post-Braden Smith rebuild, with Coach Matt Painter rolling out a roster missing serious veteran presence like Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Oscar Cluff. It’s early, but Gonzaga’s chemistry is already something special, and that’s a terrifying thought for opponents.
The Big Man Battle Was Brutal, But The Defense Answered
Everyone had their eyes on the big man showdown, and it did not disappoint, even if it didn’t go how Purdue wanted. Their 7-4 junior Daniel Jacobsen tied for the game-high with 22 points and grabbed seven boards, but the Zags were relentless. They put Jacobsen in all sorts of dribble-handoff and pick-and-roll situations, forcing him to move and getting him into foul trouble early. Three fouls in the first half? Yeah, that’s a problem for a guy that size. Gonzaga even matched Purdue’s points in the paint at 28, which is a massive statement when you’re going up against a behemoth like Jacobsen. Massamba Diop, the 7-1 sophomore transfer from Arizona State, had his own foul issues and struggled to finish near the rim against Jacobsen, just like Braden Huff did. But the overall defensive effort? It was something else. This Zags squad showed they can be way more defensive-minded than fans in Spokane might be used to seeing.
‘Spider-Man’ And Fogle Just Stole The Show
But let’s be real, the true show-stoppers were the backcourt: fifth-year point guard Xaivian Lee, our new “Spider-Man,” and sophomore wing Davis Fogle. These two were electric, especially in the open floor. Fogle was a beast going baseline, using that insane wingspan to finish at the rim. Together, these two combined for a ridiculous 40 points on efficient shooting, adding nine rebounds and five assists. They were the absolute backbone that kept Purdue from completing their second-half comeback. Coach Few even spoke about Lee, the Florida Gators transfer, making his official debut against a “no-slouch opening opponent” like Purdue. It’s clear: “Spider-Man” and Fogle are ready to lead.
What’s next for this revamped Gonzaga squad? If this first outing is any indication, they’re not messing around. They showed a level of chemistry and defensive grit that Zags fans in Spokane haven’t always seen, especially with so many fresh faces. Keep an eye on “Spider-Man” Lee and Fogle; they’re already clicking, and that’s a dangerous sign for any team lining up against them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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