NCAA Basketball: UConn, Purdue rise on top 25 power ranking after Feast Week
By Joey Loose
11. Gonzaga (5-2)
These Bulldogs came into the season as one of the prohibitive favorites to cut down the nets in April but have had their fair share of struggles early on. While Gonzaga gets slack for playing in the WCC, this is not a mid-major type program and their difficult nonconference schedule only hammers that point home further.
Gonzaga spent the week in Portland at the Phil Knight Legacy with mixed results. They took care of business with a 102-78 win over Portland State on Thursday, getting a team-leading 23 points off the bench from Malachi Smith. They found far less success on Friday, losing 84-66 to #24 Purdue in a fantastic effort from the Boilermakers despite 22 points from Drew Timme. The Bulldogs’ offense bounced back in their final game, hanging on to win 88-84 against Xavier, getting 23 points from Julian Strawther as all five starters scored in double figures.
It’s two losses pretty early for these Bulldogs, but it’s been a rough schedule to start the campaign. Few teams can say they’ve played this level of opposition, as Gonzaga already has wins over Kentucky and Michigan State as well this season. Timme has played well and there’s talent all over the court for the Bulldogs. It doesn’t get any easier as the Bulldogs head to South Dakota for a neutral site battle with a very tough Baylor squad this coming Friday.