NCAA Tournament 2023: Ranking the surprise Elite 8 teams left in the field

3. 3 Gonzaga

Now in their eighth straight Sweet Sixteen, we’re long past the point of considering Gonzaga as the Cinderella program or even as just a mid-major. Mark Few’s program has played in two of the last six national title games and are one of the few recent powers to stay afloat after a first three rounds full of upsets. Is this the year Gonzaga actually gets the job done and brings a national title to Spokane?

First and foremost, the Bulldogs haven’t looked elite all season long, struggling early in nonconference play and again during a stretch early in WCC play. However, they’ve been on their game in recent weeks, especially on the offensive end. Three-time All-American Drew Timme is fresh off a 36-point, 13-rebound effort in the Sweet Sixteen. Anton Watson is an important presence, while Julian Strawther has been a scoring machine for the Bulldogs.

After surviving an early fight from Grand Canyon, the Bulldogs held on in two great games against TCU and then UCLA, winning against the Bruins on Strawther’s late 3-pointer to get back to the Elite Eight again. Gonzaga won another classic against UCLA and now Timme and company are looking to get back to the Final Four for a second time in three years. This program is the most experienced in these types of important games and we’ll see just how important that veteran experience will be this weekend.