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

By Connor Hope

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Gonzaga Bulldogs players huddle on the court before the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Gonzaga Bulldogs players huddle on the court before the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament against the Brigham Young Cougars at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 74-54. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 06: Gonzaga Bulldogs players and head coach Mark Few (R) celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating the Brigham Young Cougars 74-54 to win the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 06: Gonzaga Bulldogs players and head coach Mark Few (R) celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating the Brigham Young Cougars 74-54 to win the championship game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Why They Won’t: Recent Competition

This is always the story with the Gonzaga Bulldogs: while they play tough teams in November and December, the WCC does not provide the level of competition they will see in later rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

Outside of BYU and Saint Mary’s the Zags have not played a single team in the KenPom top 100 since their December loss to San Diego State. While Mark Few has shown time and time again that he will have his team ready to take on the country’s toughest competition, there is always a concern.

Ohio State, who the Zags beat easily in November, has been playing in a much tougher Big Ten and will want revenge. Xavier finishes first in the Big East, ahead of Villanova, who handed the Zags a 16-point loss in December. They may also have to play North Carolina or Michigan, two teams that are playing well down the stretch and have the bigs to match Gonzaga.

The Zags will always try to shake the concern brought up by their WCC competition, but it will always remain at the top of most people’s lists.