How will Gonzaga’s lineup appear in the absence of Steele Venters? Its very disappointing” HC Mark Few lamented on…..

How will Gonzaga’s lineup appear in the absence of Steele Venters? Its very disappointing” HC Mark Few lamented on…..

With fewer than ten weeks until the start of the 2024–25 season, Venters was expected to be a vital player alongside seven of the team’s top eight scorers from the previous campaign, who were back for a deep postseason run, along with a few significant additions who diversified the lineup. However, Venters’ Achilles tendon injury earlier this week means he will miss the full season once more. The 6-foot-7 native of Ellensburg, Washington, who was formerly a walk-on at EWU, was hoping to play for the first time since defeating Lewis-Clark State in an exhibition game in November. However, he will have to wait another year to make his official Gonzaga debut in a regular season game.

The injury’s impact on Venters’ eligibility will depend on whether the NCAA grants him another medical redshirt. He was given one for his ACL injury, which explains why he is listed as a redshirt junior on the official 2024–25 roster. If a student-athlete sustains an ailment that is considered “season-ending” and it happens before the midway point of the season, they are eligible for a medical redshirt.

Venters would have two years of eligibility beginning in 2025–2026 if he is given another medical redshirt. Venters also took a redshirt year as a freshman in 2019–20. Should he fail to do so, the 2024–25 campaign would be deducted from his eligibility.

Regarding the Bulldogs on the court, Venters’ absence should be lessened thanks to the additions made to the transfer site during the offseason. Khalif Battle, a 6-foot-5, 185-pound sixth-year player who can create his own shot and has impressed with his willingness to make plays for others in summer workouts, is an Arkansas graduate transfer who may see some action at the three position. Over his final seven SEC games with the Razorbacks, Battle averaged 29.6 points.

In an earlier this month interview with college basketball expert Seth Davis, Few said of Battle, “He kind of adds that dynamic.” “He’s very skilled at getting himself to the free throw line and can kind of get his own shot whenever he wants to.” Thus, they are some elements that the team from the previous year lacked.

Transfer to Pepperdine and All-WCC wing One possibility to start at small forward is Michael Ajayi. Ajayi, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 228 pounds, has a 7-foot wingspan and a relentless streak when it comes to rebounding (9.9 rebounds per game in 2023–24), which might make him a versatile defender. Since he shown his abilities and athleticism in front of multiple scouts and general managers, his name has gained some attention in the NBA.

Concerning his dedication to Gonzaga, Ajayi remarked, “I felt like it was the place to be.” “Mark Few is an amazing coach, and parents are welcome to attend all of the games.” I want to be where he takes players—that’s the next level.

If Battle or Ajayi starts at the “3” with the four returning starters from the previous campaign (Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Ben Gregg, and Graham Ike), rising sophomore and 6-foot-6 wing Dusty Stromer will have another significant role to play off the bench. Without Venters in the mix, Few and the coaching staff counted on Stromer to play significant minutes right away as a freshman; in his first season, Stromer averaged 28.0 minutes per game.

He played in 16 college basketball games, 15 of which he started, including the Maui Invitational, when he played against UCLA for the full 40 minutes.

After Gregg was added to the starting lineup in the first few days of January, Stromer’s role was diminished. Gregg and Stromer flourished in their new positions, and Gonzaga’s offense became one of the top five in the nation as a result of the shift.

In his second season, Stromer has the chance to make significant progress, particularly in the offensive department, now that he has completed a full season.

According to assistant coach Brian Michaelson, Dusty improved last year. “This summer, he has jumped once more.”

The 6-foot-5 transfer from Tarleton State, Emmanuel Innocenti, might play more than anticipated to improve the team’s defense. With the Texans, Innocenti was named a WAC All-Freshman and All-Defense player. He also had the third-highest number of steals in the league (59) and the ninth-highest overall rebound total (223).

Depending on how deep the coaching staff wants to go with the rotation, Jun Seok Yeo, who was the ninth player in the lineup as a sophomore, can find himself in a similar position once more. Over the past few years, Few and crew haven’t used a lot of nine-man rotations, particularly in relation to the NCAA Tournament. Given that Braden Huff will play a significant amount of minutes off the bench as well, it’s possible that the 6-foot-8 Korean may see little action in the starting lineup in 2024–25.

It may take a few games before the Zags get into a routine for rotation and replacement, no matter how Few and the coaches arrange the minutes for the inaugural game.

Venters was a 40.3% career 3-point shooter at EWU, which made him a dangerous threat on the wing. Without his shooting ability, the Bulldogs struggled in nonleague play, shooting just 31.5% from beyond the arc on 20.0 3-point attempts per game overall.

Hickman, who made 41.3% of his 3-point attempts, was the most reliable outside threat. While Nembhard (32.1%) and Gregg (37.7%) each attempted about three 3-pointers per game, they demonstrated a certain ability to extend the floor. On the other hand, during his final season with the Eagles, Venters attempted more than six triples per game.

Being a career 35.3% 3-point shooter (on 5.1 attempts per game), Battle could help create some spacing. Ajayi did shoot 47.0% the previous season, but his low amount of attempts (2.5 per game) may have contributed to his inefficiency. Though it might not be his greatest asset in any case, he could raise that figure this season.