Gonzaga optimistic Killian Tillie, Geno Crandall will return for Santa Clara game

Gonzaga expects to have its entire roster available for the first time this season when it faces Santa Clara on Saturday.

Junior forward Killian Tillie, who had ankle surgery in late October, and senior guard Geno Crandall, who hasn’t played since Nov. 21 in Maui, are expected to play. Crandall has missed nine games mending from a broken bone in his right hand.

Tillie was the Zags’ top 3-point shooter last season (47.9 percent). He averaged 12.9 points and 5.9 rebounds while earning All-West Coast Conference second-team honors.

Crandall should help fortify the guard/wing position that has seen Josh Perkins, Zach Norvell Jr. and Corey Kispert log heavy minutes in close games. The North Dakota grad transfer is averaging 5 points, 2.3 assists and 18.2 minutes.