Gonzaga's Post-Huff Struggles: Defense & Offense

0:00On March 25, Gonzaga's basketball season took a clear hit after forward Braden Huff got injured as highlighted in the latest Zags Insiders podcast. Through the first 18 games with Huff Healthy, the Bulldog went 17 wins and one loss. They averaged 91.4 points per game, shot nearly 37% from 3 point range, held upon as to 67.9 and owned a plus 23.5 scoring margin. Huff over the final 17 games, things shifted. The team posted 14 wins and 3 losses, dropping to 76.7 points scored 29% on 3s while allowing. 64.4 points for a plus 13.3 margin. In the last five games, scoring plunged even further to 68.8 points per game. Experts noted how the offense leaned heavily on Huff and Grammike playing similar roles, leaving little room for error when one was out. The supporting cash struggled with consistency, forcing major adjustments.

1:01The early schedule was brutal, facing powerhouses like Oklahoma, Creighton and Kentucky, yet they thrived offensively. Post injury, Gonzaga pivoted to a defensive focus, aiming for 75 to 80 points while grinding out wins. That approach showed cracks in their round of 32 loss to Texas, where late first half surge, but to momentum from an 8 point lead to, trailing by 2. Texas capitalized inside and from deep, turning the tide in a physical matchup. The podcast wraps up the season's big lessons, setting the stage for off-season moves.