Saturday’s action-packed slate in college hoops delivered. After a 12-hour window filled with upsets and hard-fought battles, Gonzaga, Purdue, and Illinois suffered tough losses as the non-conference portion of the 2024-25 NCAA basketball season nears its last leg. With conference play (officially) on the horizon, the question now arises: should we buy or sell Gonzaga, Purdue, and Illinois? Take a look here as we analyze each team moving forward.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga basketball suffered consecutive losses for the first time since the 2018-2019 season in its physical 77-71 loss to UConn at the Madison Square Garden. The Bulldogs got one of its best games yet from Pepperdine transfer Michael Ajayi but have struggled with consistency with Graham Ike and Nolan Hickman through the season -- and that proved to be the culprit last night.
Ike and Hickman totaled 12 minutes apiece and connected on one made field goal combined. Not exactly a recipe for success. The Bulldogs were unable to find an answer for UConn’s freshman star, Liam McKeeley, and gave up a crucial 10-0 run midway through the second half that proved to be its demise down the stretch.
Buy or sell Gonzaga?
For a veteran-laden team that returned over 80% of its minutes entering the 2024-25 season, Gonzaga has faced difficulties closing out games and has come out the second half flat, especially in its losses to West Virginia and Kentucky. On paper, its three losses are not necessarily resume-damaging losses but more so spell missed opportunities with the Bulldogs frontloading its SOS.
As of Dec. 15, the Bulldogs have only four more Q1 games remaining on its schedule. That number, of course, is subject to change and it may even decrease throughout the season. However, even if things have not gone to plan in Spokane, it would not be wise to sell the Bulldogs. Remember when Gonzaga was counted out last season after its loss to Santa Clara then proceeded to make the second weekend? Mark Few has a knack for righting the ship. This season is no different.
The Bulldogs are sixth in KenPom, fourth in the NET and have a resume average of 5.3, according to Bart Torvik. Its string of losses may cost them a seed line, however, history says the Bulldogs will be just fine. But it will need Graham Ike to step up in the second half of the season once again. Buy the Bulldogs.