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NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Oklahoma rises, Gonzaga falls

LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Lon Kruger of the Oklahoma Sooners signals in a play during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 88-78. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Lon Kruger of the Oklahoma Sooners signals in a play during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 13, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma 88-78. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 09: Head coach Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 09: Head coach Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

7. Gonzaga Bulldogs

Record: 9-2 (0-0 WCC)

Last Week: No. 3

Gonzaga has now lost two consecutive games for the first time since February 2014 but there is still no need to panic regarding the team. The Bulldogs, who already hold a win over Duke, suffered both losses at the hands of top-10 teams in the nation and they were both, for the most part, hard-fought battles. These were, of course, huge tests for the team but it is important to mention that Gonzaga is still not healthy.

Quite simply, that Gonzaga needs Killian Tillie back in the lineup to be at their best. He is simply one of the most important players in the nation and his health is what could take the Zags to the next level this season. As I have said multiple times so far this season, this is the most talented roster head coach Mark Few has ever had in Spokane and it is one with national title aspirations.

Gonzaga, more than any other year, really went out of its way to play an incredibly rigorous non-conference schedule and that needs to be commended. There are not many teams in the nation that would only have two losses given the level of competition that they have faced. Part of what I think has been lost in the shuffle a bit as of late is how strong Gonzaga’s collection of wins is: Texas A&M, Illinois, Arizona, Duke, Creighton, and Washington.