Bracketology 2021: 10 biggest winners from opening month of season

4. Gonzaga

Gonzaga began the year as the top-ranked team in the nation, so how could they be one of the biggest winners through the first month of the season? Simply put, no team can match their resume or roster and come close to what Gonzaga has done at this point in the season. They were certainly among the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament had it happened last year (and also in a few years in the past), but this year they may be the heavy favorite.

The Bulldogs have defeated #3 Iowa, #6 Kansas, and #16 Virginia by double-digits in neutral site games, while also taking care of #11 West Virginia back in early December. When you throw in their win over Auburn, they have a resume that no team can match in quality or quantity. The biggest disappointment is that COVID issues caused their game with #2 Baylor to be cancelled, though we might see that game happen in Indianapolis come March or April.

There is immense talent all over this roster, from stud freshman Jalen Suggs, to the talented Corey Kispert (who dropped 32 on Virginia’s defense), to stud center Drew Timme; and we’re just scratching the surface. No program can match Gonzaga’s depth and it’ll be harder to find a more talented starting five.

Gonzaga will be heavy favorites in the rest of their games, especially as they overmatch their WCC competition, and it’ll be interesting to see how this potential 1-seed fares in the NCAA Tournament with all eyes on them in March.