8. Gonzaga (11-1)
The metrics already look incredibly impressive, but just imagine where this Gonzaga team would be without that stunning blowout loss to Michigan back in late November. The Bulldogs scored double-digit wins over Alabama, Kentucky, and UCLA and also took care of business against teams like Creighton, Maryland, and Oklahoma this season. They’ve proven that despite one bad night that this team is a contender once again.
Fresh off that fine effort against UCLA, the Bulldogs were back in action on Wednesday as they won 98-70 at home over Campbell. There wasn’t a ton to say about this matchup, though Gonzaga shot reasonably well at 58% from the floor. Much of that attack came from Braden Huff, who not only had 37 points but was 16 of 18 from the floor in a career performance.
There’s a brilliant productivity on this Gonzaga team. We’ve seen that both Huff and Graham Ike in the frontcourt can be major game changers but we can’t forget some of those forgotten pieces, like new weapon Mario Saint-Supery. Mark Few knows how to build a winner and might have another one here in Spokane. The final real challenge before league play comes against Oregon on Sunday and after that this team won’t get many chances to prove itself ahead.