Gonzaga's loss to LSU reveals troubling concerns and a reason for optimism

Saturday's defeat offered an early look at some difficult decisions Mark Few faces, along with a promising sign for the Bulldogs moving forward

Gonzaga men's basketball coaches Brian Michaelson (left), Mark Few (middle) and Stephen Gentry (right). | Photo by Erik Smith

Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs are now 0-1 all-time against the LSU Tigers, losing the first-ever matchup between the two programs, 81-80, on Saturday afternoon following a game-winning three from former Zag target Donovan Dent.

Gonzaga led for nearly 30 minutes of gameplay, by as many as 13 points in the second half, but poor rebounding and missed free throws doomed the team in the final few minutes and Dent - just like he did to end the first half - hit a three to give LSU a lead in the final seconds.

The Zags fall to 2-1 on the season, and while losing is never fun, it did teach fans a lot about this squad - lessons that hopefully will carry over positively in the coming months:

Gonzaga's closing lineup raises questions about Massamba Diop

Gonzaga Bulldogs center Massamba Diop. | Photo by Myk Crawford

Almost everyone on the Gonzaga roster was in foul trouble on Saturday against LSU, save for Massamba Diop.

However, when Gonzaga was getting beaten badly on the glass late in the second half, Diop - who had just one foul - stayed on the bench, in favor of Braden Huff and Izan Almansa.

It was a decision that caused a lot of frustration among the fanbase, and it's not hard to see why. The team's 7'1 center and prized, reportedly very expensive, transfer portal addition wasn't among the closing five in a game in which the Zags choked away a 13-point second-half lead.

But it's worth noting Huff (18 points, career-high 13 rebounds) and Almansa (eight points, seven rebounds) had outplayed Diop to that point, particularly on the glass. Diop had just three rebounds in 21 minutes played, and his continued struggles on the boards and offensively have overshadowed his good work protecting the rim so far this season - and for now, it looks like Almansa will be favored over him in the closing lineup, for better or worse.

Chauncey Wiggins' debut doesn't solve Gonzaga's shooting concerns

Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Chauncey Wiggins (9). | Photo by Myk Crawford

The highly anticipated season debut of Chauncey Wiggins took place on Saturday afternoon, with the 6'11 sharpshooter playing 12 minutes and scoring three points with three rebounds, while shooting 1-2 from beyond the arc.

It didn't magically turn the Zags into a dominant outside shooting team, however, with Gonzaga finishing an ugly 5-17 (29.4%) from beyond the arc - including 0-7 in the first half.

In fact, Wiggins' make early in the second was Gonzaga's first of the game, with Isiah Harwell adding a pair shortly after, alongside one each from Davis Fogle and Xaivian Lee.

Gonzaga didn't get too trigger-happy from beyond the arc, at least, but on a day when the Zags were struggling to score inside against LSU's big frontcourt, not having a reliable outside shot really killed this team down the stretch.

Isiah Harwell emerges as an encouraging bright spot

Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Isiah Harwell (1). | Photo by Myk Crawford

Huff and Fogle led Gonzaga on Saturday afternoon, but the Zags wouldn't have even been in this game were it not for sophomore wing Isiah Harwell, who battled hard all game long, doing most of his damage in the second half after he took a hard shot under the basket and had to come out of the game.

"I thought he was really courageous," coach Few said after the game. "He really got the wind knocked out on that play. He was really, really hurt. Then to jump right back in there and made some tough minded, veteran savvy kind of shots."

Harwell finished with 14 points, two rebounds, and a block in 32 minutes played, shooting 6-13 from the field but 2-4 from three - with both makes coming at clutch moments in the second half and sending the Spokane Arena crowd into a frenzy.

"He's been playing great for us," Few continued. "A lot of heart and the guys just love that and feed off that. He's been shooting the ball really, really well."

With Harwell stepping up as the go-to third option offensively, Gonzaga becomes a dangerous, difficult-to-defend team - as evidenced by 80 points scored against a tough defensive LSU squad.

Gonzaga has a quick turnaround after Saturday's loss, hosting Montana State on Tuesday night at The Kennel. The game is set to tip at 8:00 PM PT and will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.