NCAA Basketball: Butler, Gonzaga among teams under most pressure to win this week

Gonzaga Bulldogs - 22-6 (12-2 WCC)

After losing at home to rival Saint Mary’s, the Bulldogs’ at-large hopes looked to be as good as dead. They remained without any Quad 1 wins and play in a WCC where there just aren’t many opportunities to gain them. However, things changed for them, beating Kentucky in a true road game to get that signature victory a few weeks ago.

That win, along with the elite metrics, has Gonzaga right on the bubble. There’s plenty of the line, as the program hasn’t missed the NCAA Tournament since 1998, with only Kansas and Michigan State having longer streaks in NCAA Basketball. 

After beating Santa Clara to exact some revenge, Gonzaga has two Quad 1 opportunities to end WCC play. The first is against San Francisco, who nearly pulled off a late double-digit comeback in Spokane a month ago. The Dons are likely to end up as a 3 seed in the WCC Tournament so these teams could meet up 10 days later.

And then there’s Saint Mary’s in Moraga, a game that could single-handily take them to the NCAA Tournament if they get the win. And the Gaels will be missing starting forward Joshua Jefferson, who is out for the season with an injury. He had 16 points and 11 rebounds against the Bulldogs in the first game so his absence will be a major storyline to watch.