EvanMiya’s preseason rankings just dropped, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs are sitting pretty at No. 5 overall. That’s a huge statement before a single game is even played, showing the kind of respect this program commands. It tells you exactly what the pollsters think about Coach Mark Few’s ability to reload every single year.
The Ineligible Elephant in the Room
But hold up a second, because that No. 5 ranking comes with a serious asterisk. The Zags are actually No. 9 without their four currently ineligible players. Yeah, you heard that right! We’re talking about some serious talent on the sidelines. Fifth-year forward Chauncey Wiggins, a transfer from Florida State, isn’t cleared. Neither is Izan Almansa, a forward/center coming from Spain’s Real Madrid, or point guard Nathan de Sousa from France’s Cholet Basket. And add fifth-year point guard Javon Bennett, a transfer from Dayton, to that list. That’s a huge chunk of potential players unable to hit the court, and it makes you wonder how long the “ongoing lawsuits across the country against the NCAA” will keep these guys sidelined. While the team’s offensive rating is projected at a solid No. 4 and their defensive rating not far behind at No. 11, you just know those numbers could be even stronger if everyone was cleared to play.
New Faces, Key Returns, and a Glaring Hole
So, with those critical players out, what does Coach Mark Few’s projected starting five look like? The backcourt features fifth-year point guard Xaivian Lee, a transfer from Florida Gators. Sophomore guard/wing Isiah Harwell, who transferred from Houston, and sophomore wing Davis Fogle are also in the mix. Up front, redshirt senior power forward Braden Huff is a key returning piece, joined by sophomore center Massamba Diop, an Arizona State transfer. The projected core bench also looks good, with redshirt freshman forward/small-ball center Parker Jefferson, freshman combo guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa from France’s JL Bourg, true freshman wing Luca Foster, and true freshman center Sam Funches rounding out the depth. There’s definitely good depth in the frontcourt with this group, but the biggest red flag right now is the missing support at the lead guard position. That’s a critical gap everyone will be watching closely.
This team is clearly loaded with potential, blending seasoned transfers with some solid young talent, but those eligibility issues loom large. Everyone’s going to get their first public look at this new-look squad during Kraziness in the Kennel on October 3rd at 2 p.m. PT. It’s happening at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, and you can grab complimentary tickets starting October 1st at 1 p.m. PT. If you want to see how this squad is shaping up, especially with those questions at point guard and the missing players, you won’t want to miss that first glimpse.
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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