Gonzaga Basketball: Early predictions for games against top 2021-22 foes

Gonzaga Basketball: Early predictions for games against top 2021-22 opponents

Nov 26, 2020; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Corey Kispert (24), Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1), Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Andrew Nembhard (3), Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2) huddle up against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1 of 7

Gonzaga Basketball Robert Scheer/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports /

While they failed to win the most important game of last season, that doesn’t take away from the excellent overall campaign from Gonzaga Basketball. The team won their first 31 games, including 29 of them by double-digits. One of them that was “close” involved star freshman guard Jalen Suggs being injured (West Virginia), with the other coming against UCLA in the Final Four, where Suggs hit that memorable halfcourt shot to win the game.

Suggs is gone, as he was drafted at No. 5 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft for the Orlando Magic. The other star for the Bulldogs, West Coast Conference Player of the Year Corey Kispert, got picked No. 15 to the Washington Wizards. Another former Gonzaga player who entered the draft was Joel Ayayi, who went undrafted but still got a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite losing all of this talent, Gonzaga Basketball still is as loaded as ever. They brought back All-American big man Drew Timme, along with All-WCC point guard Andrew Nembhard. Joining them is No. 1 freshman player Chet Holmgren, along with fellow five-star guard prospects, Hunter Sallis and Nolan Hickman. Iowa State transfer Rasir Bolton was a 15 ppg scorer last season and provides even more depth for this team.

The Bulldogs are currently viewed as a consensus preseason No. 1 or 2 team for the upcoming season and a national title contender. And while the WCC doesn’t pose much of a threat outside of maybe BYU, there are still some quality non-conference opponents currently set to play Gonzaga before Christmas.

There are still some open slots for Gonzaga to add but barring something unexpected, we know which good teams they’ll play in the non-conference. Right now, there are six power conference opponents, including several that’ll be ranked in the top-15 or higher.

This piece will take a look at how the Bulldogs match up against them, including looking at strengths and weaknesses.

Will Gonzaga run through this gauntlet unscathed? Here’s how I would predict each game.

Home/NCAA Basketball News