:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62406519/gettyimages_1058417626_1024x1024.0.jpg)
Along with the positive news of the AP Poll naming Gonzaga the #1 team in the nation came some bad news. Graduate transfer from North Dakota, Geno Crandall, will be out for over a month due to a hand injury suffered during Sunday’s practice, per Mark Few’s radio show.
Gonzaga's Geno Crandall suffered a fracture in his right hand during Sunday's practice. Out 4-6 weeks. GU already without Killian Tillie (ankle) for about another month.
— Jim Meehan (@SRJimm) November 27, 2018
First, Jacob Larsen quit the team. Then, before the season even started, Killian Tillie injured his ankle. He is still expected to return before WCC play starts. Now, the backup guard for the Zags will be out for the remainder of the preseason. Geno should be active for either the first game of the regular season (Santa Clara, 1/5) or the second game of the regular season (Pacific, 1/10).
Crandall has had a slow start to his first and final season at Gonzaga. He averages 5.0 PPG, 1.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.3 SPG in 18.2 MPG. Look for either Joel Ayayi or Greg Foster Jr. to jump into his role. How much of an impact they will be able to make is up in the air at the moment. Keep in mind, Gonzaga has their toughest stretch of the preseason schedule with a matchup at Creighton on Saturday, Washington on 12/5, Tennessee on 12/9 in Phoenix, and at North Carolina on 12/15.
*Arden Cravalho is a senior at Gonzaga University... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho