Gonzaga Will be a Huge Threat in March

I have heard a lot of people tell me their opinions about this Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team, the opinions were a mix of good and bad. I have heard the typical opinion of people when they say Gonzaga is overrated, they will lost in the round of 32, and they shouldn’t be 3rd rank in the nation.

I don’t blame the opinions of people saying they will not do much in the tournament because if we flash back to the NCAA tournament in 2013 Gonzaga went in as one of the number one seeds only to get to the round of 32 and lose to Wichita State.

This Gonzaga team is very different and is better than any Gonzaga basketball team I have ever seen play before.

Some say their success has to do with the strength of their conference. However, I believe 20 consecutive wins is not just the strength of their schedule.

Nobody ever makes the argument about the number 1 rank team Kentucky’s success in the SEC. The teams in the SEC may have had many years of historic success like Kentucky and Florida but Kentucky is the only real threat to anyone coming out of that conference as Florida is a measly 13-14.

Gonzaga is in a situation of championship or bust. They have the most talented roster they have ever had.
One thing that has always held Gonzaga back from making a deep run in March was the fact they were not physically dominate in the paint.

Gonzaga’s Kevin Pangos dribbling.

But this year with a front court that includes Przemek Karnowski, Kyle Wiltjer, and Domantas Sabonis they are considerably strong.

Their back court is even more impressive with: four year starter and John Wooden award finalist Kevin Pangos as well as Gary Bell Jr., and USC transfer Byron Wesley.

Gonzaga’s Head Coach Mark Few even stated earlier this season that this Gonzaga team has been the most balanced team he has ever coached.

Anybody should buy that claim if you have watched Gonzaga play this year. They have the highest field goal percentage and are the most efficient college basketball team in the nation.

This team is battle tested, although they lost in Arizona against the then number 3 ranked Wildcats in early December. The Bulldogs took them to overtime and almost pulled off an upset in Arizona who has won 59 of their last 61 home games.

My final reason for Gonzaga going to the Final Four and beyond is the fact they play team basketball.

They’re 12th in country in assists per game and four out of the five starters average double digits for points. This team is well rounded they play together. They are efficient, and in my opinion they can go as far as they want to in March.