Busting Brackets
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All eyes on Gonzaga Basketball as they start the 2021 NCAA Tournament

By Jacob Stevenson

Mar 9, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) poses with the most valuable player trophy after the West Coast Conference Tournament championship game against the BYU Cougars at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2021; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) poses with the most valuable player trophy after the West Coast Conference Tournament championship game against the BYU Cougars at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Gonzaga Basketball
Gonzaga Basketball Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The 26-0 Gonzaga Basketball team is the first since the 2014-2015 Kentucky squad that has finished the regular season undefeated and are trying to be the first team since Indiana since 1976 to win the NCAA tourney undefeated.

Gonzaga rolled through their competition this year, by winning every game besides one by double-digits. The only game Gonzaga won by single-digits was against West Virginia where Jalen Suggs left injured and then later returned. The Zags received the automatic bid from the West Coast Conference after defeating BYU by 10. Gonzaga was down 12 points at the half and stormed back to win the game.

Everything has gone right for the Zags this year with Mark Few doing a great job with this group. Corey Kispert was named 1st team AP-All American and WCC Player of the Year with Drew Timme and Jalen Suggs receiving 2nd team all- American nominations with Joel Ayayi earning an honorable mention. Along with Kispert, Timme, Suggs, and Ayayi were the first team all WCC with Andrew Nembhard earning 2nd team all WCC.

With holding the No. 1 spot in the AP poll the whole year and being the clear number 1 team in Kenpom. The Zags look to finish where they have been the whole year and win the program’s first national championship. In their bracket, the Bulldogs have already beat the 2 seed Iowa and the 3/ 4 seeds in their region as well.

The 3rd and 4th seeds, Kansas and Virginia currently having Covid issues, Kansas won’t be at full strength where Virginia won’t get to Indy until Thursday or Friday. The Zags’ first test of the NCAA tourney will be against the winner of the Appalachian State Norfolk State game. Here are my three keys for the Zags to advance to the 2nd round.