College Basketball 2015-2016

It isn’t just about replacing Kevin Pangos’ and Gary Bell Jr.’s combined 8,512 minutes, 3,115 points, 541 3-pointers, 40-percent plus 3-point accuracy and stellar assist-to-turnover ratios.

In the spring of 2000 – still at the beginning of things, in the modest scope of Millenial Zag – Matt Santangelo, Richie Frahm, Mike Nilson and Ryan Floyd departed the Gonzaga basketball program in the greatest exodus of backcourt achievement in Inland Northwest college basketball history.

The Portland native was pressed into duty last year as a true freshman when Perkins was sidelined. Roughly two minutes into his first game against St. John’s in the NIT Season Tip-Off championship at famed Madison Square Garden, Melson drained a 3-pointer. He made 34 percent beyond the 3-point line and averaged 3.2 points in limited playing time.

The 6-5 senior from Nampa, Idaho, has been a steady contributor the last three seasons. He stepped in as a starter for eight games for an injured Bell two years ago and delivered 12 points and four assists in a rout over Saint Mary’s. He scored in double figures twice in last year’s WCC Tournament. Dranginis had a 30-point outburst in his freshman season against Lewis-Clark State College.

Josh Perkins was off to a nice start as Kevin Pangos’ backup last year but was sidelined after five games by a broken jaw. He scored 13 points against St. Joseph’s. He averaged 20 minutes, 5 points and 3.4 assists as the Zags routed four of their first five opponents.

Eric McClellan became eligible last season at semester break but a foot injury delayed his debut until Jan. 22. He averaged just 8 minutes and 1.9 points per game, but he had 14 assists versus four turnovers.

Washington State basketball coach Ernie Kent doesn’t want an alpha dog. He doesn’t want a DaVonté Lacy.

Ding! Renard Suggs checks his cellphone. He has a text waiting from one of the NFL’s most feared linebackers.