Gonzaga Basketball: Five pros and cons of picking the Zags to another Final Four

Gonzaga basketball enters the NCAA Tournament as one of the top choices to make the Final Four. Why will they get there and what stands in their way?

The NCAA Tournament has finally arrived, and once again the Gonzaga Bulldogs have given their fans reason to be excited for the Big Dance. The Zags will enter the tournament in the West Region, meaning they will play close to home in Boise, and possibly Los Angeles.

The Zags had a strong showing during their nonconference schedule, going 8-3 with wins over Ohio State, Texas, Washington, and Creighton. Their only losses came in double overtime to Florida, in MSG to Villanova, and on the road to San Diego State.

It was in the WCC regular season, however, where the Zags really came into their own and worked out some of their issues. After a loss to Saint Mary’s at home, Mark Few’s young squad seemed to wake up and gain the same level of focus that carried them to last year’s National Championship game.

The question remains, however, as to whether or not the Zags can return to the Final Four after losing four key contributors from last year’s team. Despite the new faces, Bulldog fans are confident that this team has what it takes to make the Final Four and compete for a National Championship.

Analytically, the Zags rank pretty high compared to the country’s other top teams, but their resume does not tell the same story as last season. Will the Zags continue their hot run, or will they fall flat early in the NCAA Tournament?

Let’s take a look at the five reasons Gonzaga will contend, and the five factors that will doom the Zags.