College basketball fans, brace yourselves! The preseason AP poll is out, and it's already stirring up excitement and debate. Gonzaga, a perennial powerhouse, kicks off the season ranked No. 21, a slight dip from their No. 23 finish last year but still a strong starting point. But here's where it gets intriguing: led by the dynamic frontcourt duo of Graham Ike and Braden Huff, the Zags are poised to make waves, despite trailing Auburn by 37 points and leading Michigan State by 199 in the poll.
At the top, Purdue claims the No. 1 spot for the first time in program history, edging out Houston in a tight race. The Boilermakers secured 35 of 61 first-place votes, while the Cougars, under the leadership of Kelvin Sampson, garnered 16. Speaking of Houston, they ended Gonzaga's season last March with an 81-76 victory in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Florida in the national championship game. The Gators, now ranked third, are joined in the top 10 by UConn, St. John’s, Duke, Michigan, BYU, Kentucky, and Texas Tech.
And this is the part most people miss: Gonzaga’s schedule is a gauntlet, with matchups against four top-25 teams, including a December 5 showdown with No. 9 Kentucky in Nashville. The Zags also face No. 23 Creighton, No. 15 Alabama, and No. 12 UCLA—all before the new year. Remember last season’s heartbreakers? Gonzaga led Kentucky by 16 at halftime before falling in overtime and nearly upset UCLA before losing by three. Will history repeat itself, or will the Zags flip the script?
Controversially, Gonzaga’s final season in the West Coast Conference could be its most competitive yet, as they battle Saint Mary’s for WCC supremacy before joining the Pac-12. The Gaels, who received two poll points, face the Zags twice in what promises to be a heated rivalry. Meanwhile, the Big 12 dominates with three teams in the top 10, tying the SEC and Big Ten for the most top-25 programs.
KenPom ranks Gonzaga No. 8, with Duke, Houston, Florida, Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, and Michigan State ahead of them. But here’s a bold question: Can the Zags defy the odds and climb higher, or will their tough schedule prove too much? With non-conference matchups against Kentucky, UCLA, Saint Mary’s, Oregon, Creighton, and Oklahoma, Gonzaga’s path is anything but easy.
What’s your take? Is Gonzaga’s ranking fair, or are they being underestimated? Will Purdue live up to the hype at No. 1? Let us know in the comments—this season is shaping up to be one for the books!
