Gonzaga Basketball: Complete Roster, Season Preview for 2014-15 Bulldogs

If I told you that Gonzaga could lose just one game this season, would you believe me?

Probably not when you consider that the Bulldogs enter this season after a series of letdowns with a roster of players that have never been past the second weekend of the NCAA tournament.

This year's team, however, is incredibly talented and, more importantly, incredibly deep.

Led by a senior-laden backcourt that features Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell Jr. and a dynamic frontcourt that could lead the nation in scoring, Gonzaga is primed for a deep run in March.

Key Newcomers

James Crisp/Associated Press

Kyle Wiltjer is just one of the key newcomers for Gonzaga this season.

Byron Wesley (Small Forward)

Byron Wesley, a senior transfer from USC, decided to come to Gonzaga because of its winning culture. 

Last season, Wesley averaged 17.8 points per game and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Trojans.

Wesley brings a level of athleticism to the Gonzaga backcourt that has not been seen in several seasons.

What Wesley can do is get to the basket at will, and he has showed the ability to shoot the ball confidently out to the three point line as well.

Kyle Wiltjer (Power Forward)

After a redshirt season spent improving his physical frame, Kentucky transfer Kyle Wiltjer carries with him some immense expectations.

Some are comparing Wiltjer to former Zag breakout Kelly Olynyk.

While expecting Wiltjer to play at an All-American level this season is probably a stretch, Wiltjer could be an incredible addition to Gonzaga’s frontcourt.

His ability to stretch the floor and face up his defenders should allow him to form a deadly high-low combination with Przemek Karnowski.

Domantas Sabonis (Power Forward)

The supreme bright spot in Gonzaga’s first exhibition game against Thompson Rivers was Domantas Sabonis.

Sabonis, a freshman from Lithuania, looked incredibly natural on the court for the Zags, and his maturity in the frontcourt will be much needed for the Zags.

Sabonis looks to be a gifted passer, a great back-to-the-basket threat and an above-average shooter.

There will likely be some growing pains, but Sabonis should prove to be a standout for the Bulldogs in his freshman season.

Key Returners

Associated Press

Kevin Pangos is the leader of this Gonzaga team and the most important of its key returners.

Kevin Pangos (Point Guard)

Kevin Pangos is receiving national attention before his senior season.

A perennial leader for Gonzaga and one of the best shooters in the nation, Pangos is set to cap off what has been an amazing college career.

Pangos spent much of last season injured, but he managed to average 14.4 points per game on 41.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

If Pangos is able to continue scoring at the level he has over the past three seasons and add to his playmaking ability, he could vie for All-American honors.

Gary Bell Jr. (Shooting Guard)

Gary Bell Jr. is one of the best perimeter defenders in the nation.

While he has been largely lost in the shadow of his backcourt partner Kevin Pangos, Bell Jr. has had a very special career with the Bulldogs.

With Byron Wesley now in the backcourt with him, Bell Jr. should be freed up to do what he does best: shoot three-pointers.

Last season, Bell Jr. made 42.7 percent of the three-pointers he attempted.

Przemek Karnowski (Center)

At 7’1”, Przemek Karnowski is an absolute beast in the post. 

He is one of the most difficult matchups in all of college basketball.

Last season he showed glimpses of excellence, but he needs to play at a high level consistently this season.

If Karnowski can play with more maturity and awareness on the floor, he could draw the attention of NBA scouts this season.

Roster and Projected Rotation

USA TODAY Sports

This is Mark Few's deepest team in years, and he will have his work cut out for him in setting a rotation.

Gonzaga’s entire roster can be found here, via GoZags.com, and the team’s expected rotation is listed below.

Starting Lineup

PG: Kevin Pangos

SG: Gary Bell Jr.

SF: Bryon Wesley

PF: Kyle Wiltjer

C: Przemek Karnowski

Key Bench Players: Domantas Sabonis (PF), Josh Perkins (PG), Kyle Dranginis (SG/SF)

This is easily Gonzaga’s deepest team under Mark Few.

The veteran leadership in the backcourt is matched by the experience in the frontcourt. 

Pangos and Bell Jr. combine as arguably the best backcourt in the nation. The blend of Pangos’ offensive ability and Bell Jr.’s defensive ability can often overwhelm opposing teams.

Look for newcomers Wesley and highly touted freshman point guard recruit Josh Perkins to complement what has been an incredible backcourt over the last three seasons.

With Karnowski, Wiltjer and Sabonis rotating in the post, the Bulldogs should find more success down low than they did a year ago.

Biggest X-Factors

Denis Poroy/Associated Press

Przemek Karnowski must improve his defense and rebound at a higher rate this season.

Post Defense

Kyle Wiltjer and Przemek Karnowski are great offensive players, but the two of them leave a bit to be desired on the defensive side of the court.

Wiltjer and Karnowski are both slow to get back on defense, and neither is renowned as a rim protector.

One of the two is going to need to step up and improve defensively in the post if the Bulldogs want to stop anyone.

Rebounding, Rebounding, Rebounding

Last season, Gonzaga’s biggest weakness was its team rebounding.  The Bulldogs ranked a dismal 123rd in rebounds per game last year.

This came as a result of having a dearth of frontcourt depth. 

This season, the Bulldogs must do a better job keeping opposing teams off the offensive glass, and with the addition of Sabonis—who appears to have a great motor for rebounding—the Bulldogs should be able to do just that.

Freshmen Depth

A key factor for Gonzaga this season will be the depth that its key freshmen will provide.

Sabonis appears to be ready to push Karnowski for minutes this season. This competition can only be a positive for a team that was in desperate need of frontcourt talent last season.

If Josh Perkins can run the show and allow Kevin Pangos to move to shooting guard, where he is often more deadly as a scorer, it will open up some intriguing possibilities for the Zags.

Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios

USA TODAY Sports

Gonzaga basketball's best-case scenario could be cutting down the nets in March.

Best-Case Scenario: Final Four Appearance

Gonzaga has the experience, the talent and the depth to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament this season.

Two years removed from an early exit to Wichita State as a top seed, the Bulldogs are reloaded and ready for another chance to dance in March.

It seems like the Bulldogs are predicted to go deep in the tournament each year, but this season, with a senior-laden backcourt and an offense that can outscore any team in the nation, is the Bulldogs’ best bet to reach the Final Four.

Worst-Case Scenario: NCAA Tournament First-Round Upset

The worst-case scenario for the Bulldogs this season is a repeat of the early exit two years ago.

This team, like the Kelly Olynyk-led team two years ago, feels very much like a contender.

It is important to note, however, that while Gonzaga is led by a group of seniors, none of the players on its roster have ever reached the second weekend of the NCAA tournament.

If the Bulldogs draw a bad matchup or the team’s offense does not click in March, this could be yet another disappointment in Spokane.

2014-15 Prediction

USA TODAY Sports

Gonzaga could lose only one game this season.

I believe that Gonzaga’s first loss will come on Dec. 6th at Arizona.  The Wildcats will physically be too much for the Bulldogs to handle, and it is incredibly difficult to beat Arizona at home.

That being said, I do not think Gonzaga will lose another game this season.  I truly believe that the talent on this team can take down any other opponent on the schedule.

Gonzaga will face tough opponents such as SMU, Memphis, Saint Joseph’s and Washington State, but all of these games are in the Kennel or Spokane Arena.

The Bulldogs also match up against UCLA on the road, have a matchup with Georgia in Madison Square Garden and a potential NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament championship game against Minnesota.  These are all winnable games for this team, though.

I do not think there is a team in the WCC that can touch the Bulldogs this season, and I believe that Gonzaga will go undefeated in conference play and in the conference tournament.

With one loss on their record, an NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament championship, a WCC regular-season and tournament title and several marquee wins, I believe the Bulldogs will be a top seed in the NCAA tournament, and will make an Elite Eight or Final Four run before being knocked out.