What does the national media think of the Gonzaga Bulldogs?
Expectations for the 2023-24 Gonzaga men's basketball team are mixed.
Given the roster turnover, Drew Timme's departure and lack of proven depth, the perception of how good the Bulldogs can be this season varies depending on the viewpoint. The advanced analytics and metrics are high on Mark Few's team — Gonzaga came in at No. 5 on KenPom to start the year — but that sentiment isn't shared across the national landscape. The Zags came in at No. 11 in the AP Top 25 poll, the lowest preseason ranking since the 2017-18 season.
And of course, the coaches have their own perceptions. Saint Mary's, which was ranked lower than Gonzaga in the AP poll and KenPom ratings, was voted as the favorite to win the West Coast Conference by a majority of the league's coaches. Whether or not preseason polls hold much value, they're indicative of just how perceptions can vary depending on who's asked.
After talking with college basketball analysts across the country, former Gonzaga All-American Dan Dickau summarizes how the national media feels about the Zags heading into the 2023-24 season on a mailbag episode of the Gonzaga Nation podcast.
Produced by Christian Pedersen.
