Gonzaga guard Nolan Hickman (11) dribbles the ball as Yale guard Bez Mbeng (2) defends during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga guard Nolan Hickman (11) heads to the basket for a layup during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI)
Gonzaga cheerleaders run the perimeter of the court during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga students cover up during Yale player introductions before the start of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Braden Huff (34) reaches for a rebound during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game with Yale, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Anton Watson (22) heads into the key as Yale forward Nick Townsend (42) defends during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI)
Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard (0) is fouled by Yale guard Bez Mbeng (2) as they fall to the floor during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI)
Gonzaga cheerleaders perform for the crowd during a timeout in the second half of a NCAA college basketball game with Yale, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga guard Dusty Stromer (4) grabs a rebound away from Yale forward Casey Simmons (14) during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Braden Huff (34) reaches as he tries to dislodge the ball from Yale forward Nick Townsend (42)during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Braden Huff (34) dives for a loose ball with Yale guard Bez Mbeng (2) during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Braden Huff (34) steals the ball from Yale forward Danny Wolf (1) during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Anton Watson (22) reaches for a rebound with Yale guard John Poulakidas (4) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga guard Nolan Hickman (11) lines up a shot during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game against Yale, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga guard Nolan Hickman (11) heads downcourt after rebounding the ball during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game against Yale, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga head coach Mark Few has words for the referee during a foul call against the Zags during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Ben Gregg (33) puts a tight defense on Yale forward Nick Townsend (42) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard (0) heads downcourt as Yale guard Bez Mbeng (2) gives chase during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game , Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Graham Ike dunks during the second half of Friday’s 86-71 season-opening nonconference win over Yale at the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Graham Ike (13) gets his hand on the ball as Yale forward Nick Townsend (42) tries to take control of a pass during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Yale center Samson Aletan (10) grabs a rebound away from Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard (0) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga guard Dusty Stromer (4) tries to stop a shot by Yale center Samson Aletan (10) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Graham Ike (13) is fouled by Yale center Samson Aletan (behind) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Yale forward Danny Wolf (1) fouls Gonzaga forward Graham Ike (13) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI)
Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard (0) dribbles the ball into the key as Yale forward Nick Townsend (42) defends during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game with Yale, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga forward Anton Watson (22) strips the ball from Yale forward Matt Knowling (22) during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard (0) heads to the basket during the first half of a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI)
Gonzaga forward Ben Gregg (33) points to Gonzaga forward Braden Huff (34) who was awarded MVP of the game with 19-points and 9 rebounds during a NCAA college basketball game with Yale, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. The Zags won the game 86-71 (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
MVP of the game Gonzaga forward Braden Huff (34) has his hair messed up by teammates after the Zags defeated Yale 86-71 during a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. Huff scored 19 points and had 9 rebounds. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Gonzaga guard Nolan Hickman (11) leaves the court after the Zags defeated Yale 86-71 during a NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in the McCarthey Athletic Center. (COLIN MULVANY/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
For those wondering where Gonzaga’s points would come from without Drew Timme and Julian Strawther, the answer in Friday’s season opener was pretty much everywhere. Starters, subs, 3-pointers, in transition, via offensive boards, in the paint, all from expected and unexpected sources.
Gonzaga got better as the game went along, overcoming a slow start to pull away from Yale 86-71 in Friday’s season opener at the McCarthey Athletic Center.