Dusty Stromer on Gonzaga's chemistry: 'We're all starting to bond really, really well, and I think that directly translates on the floor'
A little time together off the court has done wonders on the court for the Gonzaga Bulldogs.
Following an up-and-down start in nonconference play, the Zags rolled through the West Coast Conference and ended the regular season on an eight-game winning streak. In that stretch, they've earned three Quad 1 wins on the road at Kentucky, San Francisco and Saint Mary's to all but guarantee them a spot in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. The offense has been clicking as the third-most efficient in the country since Feb. 4.
"It has a lot to do with the team just coming together as a group on and off the floor. I think we're all starting to bond really, really well, and I think that directly translates on the floor," said Dusty Stromer at Gonzaga's media availability on Thursday. "I think we're playing as a group, now playing as a team and we're kind of all figuring out each other's play styles."
Here's more of what Stromer had to say days before the Bulldogs' WCC semifinal game in Las Vegas:
On adjusting to his role since coming off the bench:
"Just, you know, staying in the gym, working regardless of what's going on. I think coach Few's been so great, just instilling confidence in me, you know, throughout the season regardless of what's been going on, you know, like in the starting lineup, not in the starting lineup, playing well, not playing well. Just staying confident, staying in the gym working and getting better is what I've been kind of been trying to do."
On leaning on Nolan Hickman for his experience:
"Nolan has been a huge help for me throughout the season. I think he's such a great veteran to have, especially you know, being another guard, and just sharing his experiences throughout the years. I think he's done a great job of showing me the ropes and so yeah, he's been the one that's kind of teaching me the ways."
On the biggest learning curve for him as a freshman:
"I think this year I've learned more than I've ever learned in my entire life about basketball. I mean, like coming into this year, being a high school senior, you think you know so much about basketball, you think all this stuff and then you get to college and you realize, oh, I don't know anything. Like I have a lot to learn. So yeah, it's been a huge learning curve, but I'm so grateful. I mean, it's only gonna help make me more successful in the future."
Watch the full interview with Stromer in the video above.
