NCAA Basketball: Baylor rises, Kentucky falls in latest 2023-24 WTE power rankings

7. Gonzaga

There are no surprises that Gonzaga is staring at another early Top 10 ranking. Mark Few has been masterful in how he’s built the Bulldogs, even in the changing times of roster construction. There seem to be All-Americans and dynamic playmakers on this roster every season and it’s no different this year, even with some major changes.

Things will look very different without Drew Timme and the Bulldogs also are replacing Rasir Bolton and Julian Strawther. Not only will Nolan Hickman and Anton Watson be back, but Gonzaga landed a couple of the biggest names in the Transfer Portal. Among the additions are former Wyoming standout center Graham Ike, talented Creighton point guard Ryan Nembhard, and wing Steele Venters, last season’s Big Sky Player of the Year at Eastern Washington.

New pieces may need time to gel, but there are no questions about the talent on this roster. Losing someone like Timme is impossible, especially with the other important pieces that Gonzaga lost. Yet, these three transfers alone are a major upgrade to this roster. This starting five is full of talent and the Bulldogs have the rotation to not only dominate the WCC but be in national contention again.