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Last year, Gonzaga's 31-4 record and No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament might seem like a success, but the team grappled with persistent issues throughout the season. The most glaring problem was three-point shooting, where the Bulldogs connected on just 33.3% of their attempts, ranking 212th nationally according to KenPom and marking the lowest full-season rate in Mark Few's 27-year tenure as head coach.
If Saturday's scrimmage at Kraziness in the Kennel is any indication, Gonzaga's perimeter shooting concerns may be a thing of the past for the 2026-27 campaign. The Bulldogs showcased a revamped outside attack, led by sophomore wing Davis Fogle, who put on a record-setting performance.
Fogle, a 6'7" native of Anacortes, Washington, earned clear MVP honors in the Blue vs. White scrimmage, pouring in a Kraziness-record 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-7 from beyond the arc, in just 20 minutes. As a freshman, he shot a respectable 35% from three on 1.3 attempts per game, but Saturday's display suggests he could elevate that percentage into the 40s while significantly increasing his volume. Such a leap would be a boon for the Zags, spacing the floor for interior players like Braden Huff and Massamba Diop.
Huff, a career 32.2% three-point shooter on 1.3 attempts per game, is working to expand his range but isn't expected to become a primary perimeter threat. Instead, the spotlight falls on Fogle and a host of new additions. Gonzaga welcomes 11 new players for the upcoming season, many recruited specifically for their shooting prowess.
In the scrimmage, the team combined to shoot 18-of-32 (56.3%) from deep, with standout performances from Fogle, Houston transfer Isiah Harwell (4-of-5), Florida transfer Xaivian Lee (3-of-6), and Florida State transfer Chauncey Wiggins (2-of-5). Harwell, a 6'6" sophomore and former McDonald's All-American, shot just 27.1% from three as a freshman at Houston, but his offseason work in Spokane was evident. If he can consistently knock down open looks, he solidifies his spot in the rotation and likely the starting lineup.
Lee and Wiggins both face eligibility questions with one month until the season, but their smooth shooting on Saturday offered encouragement. Lee, who shot 29.2% from three last year at Florida after a more successful stint at Princeton, could be a valuable asset if he regains his form. Wiggins, at 6'11", shot 39% on 6.0 attempts per game last season with the Seminoles, providing a towering perimeter threat that will stretch defenses in the new-look Pac-12.
Additionally, head coach Mark Few revealed after the scrimmage that Javon Bennett, who sat out with a shoulder injury, has been the team's most impressive outside shooter this offseason. Bennett could emerge as another three-point specialist if he becomes eligible.
While a 58% team shooting performance won't be the norm, and Fogle and Harwell won't often combine for 10-of-12 from deep, it's clear that improving three-point shooting was a major offseason priority—and it's already paying dividends. The next opportunity to see Gonzaga's sharpshooters in action comes on Saturday, Oct. 24, in a road exhibition against John Calipari's Arkansas Razorbacks. Game time and TV details will be announced later.
Andy Patton is a diehard Gonzaga fan and alumnus who has covered the Bulldogs extensively since 2021. He hosts the Locked On Zags podcast and co-hosts the Locked On College Basketball podcast, bringing years of experience covering Gonzaga, the West Coast and college basketball nationally. Andy also covers the Arizona Wildcats for Arizona Wildcats On SI, where his longtime familiarity with former Gonzaga assistant and current Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd provides a natural connection between two of college basketball's premier programs. Andy has worked in sports media since 2017, with experience covering nearly every major sport. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for USA TODAY from 2017-21, where he also spent time covering the USC Trojans and Oregon Ducks, and previously served as lead writer for College Sports Wire. He has also covered the NBA, NHL and MLB for various TEGNA outlets, including KREM in Spokane, 12News in Phoenix and KING 5 in Seattle. A 2013 Gonzaga graduate, Andy now lives in Spokane, Washington, with his wife, daughter and dog. Follow AndyPattonCBB.