NCAA Basketball: Way-too-early top-25 power rankings for 2021-22 season

Perfection and a national title weren’t in the cards for Gonzaga but don’t think for a second that they’ll be taking a step back. For now, the Bulldogs will likely be losing All-Americans Corey Kispert and Jalen Suggs, as well as do-it-all guard Joel Ayayi. The other two starters (Andrew Nembhard and Drew Timme) are less likely to leave since their draft stocks aren’t as high.

Assuming the starting point guard and center both are back, they’ll be surrounded by a ton of talent. Versatile forward Anton Watson will be back, along with former top-60 prospects Julian Strawther and Dominick Harris. Oumar Ballo and Ben Gregg are talented frontcourt prospects, while top-10 guard commit Hunter Sallis will be looking to replicate the success of Suggs.

Adding to the frontcourt is top-50 forward Kaden Perry and I’ll make the executive decision to add No. 1 overall prospect Chet Holmgren to the projected roster too. He’s reportedly making a decision in the next couple of weeks and every single respected recruiting expect has him following his former Minnehaha teammate Suggs to Gonzaga.

If Timme returns, he’ll be the preseason National Player of the Year favorite. And Nembhard has the potential to be an All-American himself. And this doesn’t even include what Holmgren and Sallis will provide to the team as well, and any potential incoming transfers.

This will be a new-look roster but it’ll be one that’s just as formidable as this past season. And now that they’ll be on a “revenge tour” to get back to the national title game, Gonzaga will be on a mission. And barring some changes among the projected top teams, look for the Bulldogs to start out the 2021-22 campaign as the team to beat yet again.