Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: Evaluating 2017 Final Four teams’ odds of a return trip

By Holden Walter-Warner

CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 30: Joel Berry II
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 30: Joel Berry II /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 21: Silas Melson
SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 21: Silas Melson /

Gonzaga Bulldogs (13-3)

Gonzaga fans will always be able to savor the school’s first trip to the title game in 2017. Expecting a repeat run the following season was always going to be a stretch, though. The Bulldogs lost Przemek Karnowski, Jordan Mathews, Nigel Williams-Goss, and Zach Collins – massive departures.

The rise of Saint Mary’s hasn’t come to pass yet, but the Bulldogs have not filled the void. They lost just three times in non-conference play, but two of those three teams are not ranked today. Outside of games against the Gaels, Gonzaga is going to go unnoticed for the next two months.

Their offense will be able to keep them in any contest come March. They’re averaging 90.2 points per game, ranking top-5 in the nation in scoring. There’s still an open question as to who would take the final shot for the Zags in crunch time, though; six players average at least ten points per game, but no player averages more than 14 points per game.

Stars are not as essential at the college level as they are at the professional level come postseason time. But the Bulldogs need to find some answers during WCC play to ease their transition back into the limelight.

Prediction: Elite Eight