NCAA Basketball: Purdue, Marquette rise in latest top 25 power ranking
By Joey Loose
11. Gonzaga (4-1)
Though players have come and gone in recent years, Gonzaga has maintained their footing not only as the WCC’s best program but as a national power. There was more come and go in the offseason, but these Bulldogs have looked ready for the initial challenges this season. There wasn’t much to talk about during their first few weeks of the season but the Bulldogs were finally challenge at the Maui Invitational.
Gonzaga drew a brutal first matchup and fell 73-63 to an elite Purdue squad. Graham Ike had 14 points and 7 rebounds, though the Boilermakers certainly outplayed them. They’d rebound nicely the following day with a 76-57 win against Syracuse, this time getting 19 points from Nolan Hickman and double-doubles from Ike and Anton Watson. The 5th place game was Gonzaga’s most intriguing performance in Maui, as they held on for a 69-65 win over UCLA. Watson had his best performance of the season with 32 points and 7 rebounds.
Getting that tough initial draw and being bumped into the loser’s bracket ruined the Bulldogs’ chances to really build their resume in Maui, but they still performed about as well as expected in their last two games. This team is a bit different than the last few year’s teams and will certainly lean heavily on Ike and Watson in the frontcourt, though playmakers like Hickman certainly will make matters easier as well. Next week’s notable matchup is against USC on Saturday.