The opening night of college basketball was a showcase of two powerhouse programs, the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Baylor Bears, facing off in the Spokane Arena. The Zags' performance left the nation in awe, as they displayed a level of cohesion and offensive prowess that overwhelmed their highly-touted opponents.

A Masterclass in Teamwork and Execution

Unselfish Play and Relentless Defense

Gonzaga's Mark Few has assembled a roster that seems to be the deepest and most well-connected he's ever had. The Zags' offense was a symphony of continuous, skipping-around passing that left Baylor's Scott Drew and his zone defense scrambling. On the defensive end, Gonzaga's communication was akin to having a microphone in each player's ear, as they suffocated the Bears' attack. The final tally of 25 assists for the Zags, compared to a mere 11 for Baylor, underscored the stark contrast in ball movement and team cohesion.

Emerging Sophomore Duo Shines

The combination of Dusty Stromer and Braden Huff, two Gonzaga sophomores, stood out from the moment they hit the floor. These two young talents have faced pressure since joining the program, but their understanding of their roles has now blossomed. Stromer's three-point barrage in the first half, where he scored 11 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, set the tone. Huff's physical transformation and defensive discipline were immediately evident, as he contributed 14 points, 3 assists, and a crucial block.

Balanced Scoring and Depth

While the facilitator Ryan Nembhard (6 points, 11 assists) and Naismith Trophy candidate Graham Ike (15 points, 8 rebounds) were relatively quiet, the depth of Gonzaga's roster shone through. Nolan Hickman's game-high 17 points, including 3 three-pointers, seemed almost overshadowed by the collective effort. Khalif Battle's 12 points off the bench and Michael Ajayi's 9 points and 8 rebounds demonstrated the Zags' wealth of talent, making it difficult for the Bears to focus on any one player.

Revenge and Historic Blowout

Gonzaga's dominant performance against Baylor was particularly satisfying, as it provided a measure of revenge for the Zags. According to ESPN Stats and Info, Gonzaga's 38-point victory is the largest by any team in a season opener against a Top 10 opponent in the Associated Press Poll history. This emphatic statement sets the tone for the Zags' national championship aspirations, as they prepare to host the Arizona State Sun Devils on Sunday.