5. Gonzaga (1-0)
Gonzaga has already been established as an elite program in the country and they continue to prove that time and time again. Even without a conference title last season, the Bulldogs still had a nice NCAA Tournament run and have high expectations with their talent this year. A few years away from that highly-anticipated move to the Pac-12, Gonzaga has already showcased why they belong as one of the nation’s premier programs this season.
While many top teams were honing their skills against mid-majors and inferior competition, Gonzaga’s season opened on Monday night against a Top 10 Baylor squad. The Bulldogs put together an amazing performance, sending the Bears packing in a 101-63 blowout win. The interior offense was elite, the defense did their job, and Nolan Hickman was one of five scorers in double figures, leading the team with 17 points.
Gonzaga thrived in their home environment against a fellow top team, making quick work of Baylor in one of the most impressive moments from opening night. With that being said, one performance does not a season make, and we’ll have to see what transpires in the weeks away for these Bulldogs and the new faces in this lineup. It’s been a magnificent start, and they’ll look to continue that with very winnable home dates against Arizona State and UMass Lowell ahead.