A little tune-up for the Zags before a trip to San Diego State on Monday.
The #4 Zags (2-0) look to put on a convincing show in front of Virginia transfer Jalen Warley who will be making his first college visit to the Kennel on Friday at 6 PM PT on ESPN+. He’ll check out campus on Saturday and then make the trip over to Iowa State to find out what the Cyclones have to offer him on Sunday through Monday. A busy weekend is planned for the defensive-minded guard who decided to leave the Cavaliers after head coach Tony Bennett unexpectedly retired before this season. Warley will redshirt this season no matter where he decides to go, keep that in mind.
As for Gonzaga’s matchup on Friday, UMass Lowell (2-0) out of the American East Conference are going to have a tough time with Gonzaga’s offensive pedigree. Mark Few truly has 8 potential starters in his key rotation, about 10-11 pieces who are all deserving of 30+ minutes but that’s just not feasible. It’s a luxury to have and something that the River Hawks aren’t going to be ready for.
Ben Gregg and Graham Ike (more due to his West Coast Conference Player of the Year expectations) haven’t wow’d you so far but that’s to be expected out of a multitude of players at times on this stacked roster. It doesn’t mean that they each aren’t doing the job that is asked of them from Gonzaga’s coaching staff. Both big men will have their time to shine as it will be someone new for the Zags it seems like in each opportunity this season.
Gonzaga’s Ryan Nembhard is tied for 1st in the nation with 11.0 assists per game (Buffalo’s Tyson Dunn). Will that trend continue against UMass Lowell and into Monday’s matchup at the Viejas Center against the Aztecs? His poise when pushing the pace and when trying to operate in ball-screens seems to be unmatched against the nation’s best at the lead guard position so far. His vision and patience with the ball in his hands can scare any sort of defense in college basketball, you don’t know what he’s going to do next.
Player to Watch For:
Quinton Mincey (senior, guard) – 23.5 PPG on 54.5 FG%/40.0 3PT%/87.5 FT%, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.0 SPG
Entering his fourth and final season with the River Hawks, it looks to be a career campaign for the 6’6 Maryland native. Mincey is tied for 24th in the nation in scoring and is looking to get over the hump in the American East. Since 2021, UMass Lowell has lost in the tournament championship three times and two of those are coming against Vermont.
This could be a high scoring affair as UMass Lowell is averaging 98.0 PPG and Gonzaga at 94.5 PPG through the first two games for each. This will be a solid tune-up for the Zags before Brian Dutcher and co. welcome Mark Few’s squad to San Diego on Monday at 7 PM PT on CBS Sports Network. It’ll be interesting to find out if Miles Byrd (right ankle) will be out along with Reese Waters (right foot fracture) for the Aztecs.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho