Talking Zags: Brian Michaelson on Gonzaga's new-look roster and tough nonconference schedule

Michaelson shared insight on the new faces of Gonzaga's team and who could potentially step up without Drew Timme in the fold

In the ever-changing college athletics landscape, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have had to adjust to the times.

NIL, transfer portal and conference realignment (to a degree) have empowered student-athletes to make their own decisions more freely, resulting in higher roster turnover rates and an influx of fifth-year and graduate students sticking around longer than usual before heading to the pros. The days of "one-and-done" players aren't over, but it's certainly not the norm.

For the Zags, the 2023-24 squad is a culmination of every aspect that has altered how college athletics work. They landed a trio of transfers — Steele Venters (Eastern Washington), Ryan Nembhard (Creighton) and Graham Ike (Wyoming) — to mesh with returners Nolan Hickman (junior) and Anton Watson (fifth-year) in the starting lineup. The coaching staff hit the international recruiting trail hard once again, a route Gonzaga is well familiar with while bringing in just one recruit in the 2023 class in Dusty Stromer.

In the second episode of Talking Zags, men's basketball assistant coach Brian Michaelson joins Dan Dickau and Adam Morrison to talk about the 2023-24 team and much more. 

Produced by Thomas Gallagher.

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