Transfers shine for Gonzaga in an absolute bloodbath at the Kennel.
That was perhaps the most fun I’ve had watching a game since Baylor, back in early November. In their crushing 98-60 win over Oregon State, Gonzaga looked brand new, even better somehow than they did against hapless Portland. Once again, the Zags are turning things around in the new year—it’s inspiring, invigorating, and just plain fun.
Last night’s game was never really close, either. The Beavers tried to hang with the Zags for the first 10 minutes, but by halftime, they were already down 50-30, and Gonzaga didn’t ever look back. In a perfectly executed display of consistency, the Zags kept rolling, securing a decisive 38-point victory over the same Beavers who had throttled them in Corvallis just 12 days before.
So, what’s different? What’s got this week’s Zags looking so remarkably different from last week’s?
We can assume Mark Few had some harsh words for the team after their embarrassing losses at Oregon State and Santa Clara, but beyond that, we don’t know for sure. They seem to be playing with more effort, more urgency, and more competitiveness. These are, however, difficult things to notice in a box score. Either way, it’s clear that the Zags of this week took a long, hard look in the mirror and decided to adapt.
So what are the differences we can for sure see in that box score?
Emanuel Innocenti’s big minutes
It’s hard to imagine Innocenti coming off the bench again after his performance this week. Not only is he the team’s best on-ball defender, but he also anticipates the opposing offense’s movements, minimizing the need for help defense from Nembhard, Hickman, Stromer, and Battle. He fights over screens without losing his man, denies penetration, clogs passing lanes, and always seems to be in the right place at the right time to disrupt the flow of the opposing offense. In short, he’s Gonzaga’s best defensive asset.
Innocenti played 17 minutes against Oregon State and 23 against Portland, making invaluable contributions in both games. Starting each half with him in the lineup allows Gonzaga to establish their high-low game while preventing opponents from retaliating on the other end. He also helps the Zags run a trap press. With 9 different players playing 15+ minutes per game, Gonzaga has the fresh legs needed to run a full-court defense, forcing turnovers (they forced 13 on Oregon State and 15 on Portland) and getting buckets on the other end (23 points on turnovers against Oregon State and 26 against Portland).
Innocenti didn’t score any points last night, but his 17 minutes on the floor were arguably the most vital of any player. He set the tone for the defense early in both halves, allowing the offense to find its rhythm without scrambling to catch up.
Khalif Battle off the bench
Battle has spent most of his career coming off the bench. He led Arkansas in scoring last year as a 6th man, and based on his performance against Oregon State, it might be the role he’s most comfortable in.
His stat line against the Beavers was ridiculous: 23 points on 4-5 shooting, 3-4 from 3, and 12-13 from the free-throw line. While the Zags lose some offensive firepower without him in the starting lineup, bringing him off the bench forced Oregon State to adjust their defense just when they thought they had figured out how to stop Gonzaga’s high-low offense.
Khalif did exactly what he was brought to the Zags to do: apply foul pressure, hit back-breaking deep shots, and dominate on all three levels, demanding the full attention of the defense and preventing the Beavers from finding a defensive scheme that could stop the bleeding.
Michael Ajayi is back in action
Ajayi is a new man. Over the last couple of weeks, he’s finally found his offensive rhythm. Against OSU, he finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, including going 2-3 from outside. In the last two games, he’s been using his athleticism to muscle away contested rebounds and finish through contact. He grabbed 4 offensive boards against OSU. He’s also been more aggressive in his one-on-one game, attacking off the dribble and finding his way to the basket in iso-ball situations.
Now that his outside shot is coming back, the WCC’s reigning scoring champion is working his way toward becoming that 7th Zag on the list of Bulldogs averaging 10+ points per game.
Ajayi is doing exactly what he was brought to Gonzaga to do: clean up on the glass, finish at the rim, connect from outside, and use his length and motor to neutralize opposing ball handlers.
Other Praiseworthy Performances
- Ryan Nembhard: 9 assists in 23 minutes
- Nolan Hickman: 4-6 from 3 (he’s now 21-36 in the last 5 games)
- Graham Ike: 22 points on 10-12 shooting, plus 7 rebounds in 20 minutes: Ike looks like a man playing with controlled emotion, finally. He’s not talking to refs, he’s not shouting at opponents, he’s just playing his game and dominating his opponents.
- Team Defense: After allowing Oregon State to shoot 58.5% from the field in Corvallis, the Zags held the Beavers to just 38.2% from the field and 26.1% from 3 in the Kennel.
The change in this team from last week is complex, but part of it is simple: the Zags are now running 9-deep, and the transfers are settling into their roles. Kudos to Mark Few for his willingness to keep tweaking lineups and giving players space to figure out how they can best contribute on their own terms—especially when this team’s stagnation was starting to look more like a feature than a bug.
With Innocenti, Gonzaga’s defense is revitalized. With Khalif coming off the bench, the offense gains speed and versatility in key moments. And with Michael Ajayi actively seeking his shot, there’s a freak athlete on the floor who can score at all levels. His effort and enthusiasm are contagious and between him and Gregg, the Zags will never be without an energizing spark on the floor.
I don’t know what else to say except that Gonzaga’s revenge effort against Oregon State has given fans plenty to look forward to in their upcoming showdown with rival Saint Mary’s. Like Ike said in the Oregon State postgame, “…can’t wait to get to Moraga.”