NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2023-24 season

11. Gonzaga Bulldogs

2022-23 season record: 31-6 (14-2 WCC)

It’s a new era for Gonzaga, as they’re without All-American star big and WCC Player of the Year, Drew Timme. He’s one of four of the top five scorers gone, as Julian Strawther, Rasir Bolton, and Malachi Smith are also gone. Plus, the program had a rare transfer exodus as well, with Efton Reid, Hunter Sallis, and Dominick Harris now at other spots.

The team does have three key returning players back expected to have larger roles. Anton Watson is back for a 5th year and is one of the better defenders who also quietly averaged double figures on offense. Stretch forward Ben Gregg also gives Gonzaga more versatility in the frontcourt. And assuming Wyoming transfer Graham Ike has recovered from his past foot injury, he’s capable of giving them nearly 20 ppg and 10 rpg on offense.

The Bulldogs also landed Ryan Nembhard, the starting point guard from Creighton who averaged over 12 ppg and four assists a game. He’s the younger brother of former Gonzaga star transfer Andrew Nembhard and pairing him with Nolan Hickman will be a good backcourt duo. Plus, Steele Venters solidifies the wing position, coming over from Eastern Washington after earning Big Sky Player of the Year honors.

There’s still a lack of depth to be concerned about, as the Bulldogs have just 10 scholarship players. They’ll need some of the unknown guys such as freshmen Jun Seok Yeo and Dusty Stormer to have a nice impact off the bench but the top of the roster, if healthy, should have Gonzaga in the top-10 range once again.