Gonzaga Basketball Team Experiments in Charity Game Loss

The Gonzaga men's basketball team secured a dominant 109-52 exhibition victory over Warner Pacific, demonstrating improved defensive intensity with a full-court press strategy, following a previous 96-93 loss to USC in a charity exhibition game. Head coach Mark Few, who recently received the 2025 John R. Wooden Award 'Legends of Coaching' honor, praised the team's enhanced defensive effort and rotational experimentation, which will be crucial for upcoming games. Gonzaga's exhibition against USC highlighted areas for growth, particularly in defense and rebounding, as noted by senior guard Ryan Nembhard, who emphasized the need for improved individual defense. The team utilized the USC game to test various lineups, with new players like Khalif Battle getting significant playtime, indicating a focus on adaptability and finding the best team dynamics. Despite some initial challenges, the Bulldogs are leveraging these early games to identify weaknesses and build competitive resilience.