Gonzaga basketball 2025-26 : The Gonzaga Bulldogs have had a remarkable start to their 2025-26 basketball season, currently undefeated at 6-0. Four of these wins came against power conference teams, including a dominating victory over Alabama. This strong performance has propelled the Zags up the rankings, moving from preseason No. 21 to No. 12 in the AP Poll, while top analytics services like KenPom, Torvik, and EvanMiya rate Gonzaga as one of the top five teams nationally. Joe Lunardi, ESPN’s trusted bracketologist, aligns with these evaluations, positioning Gonzaga as a No. 2 seed in the West Region for the NCAA Tournament, with an overall No. 5 ranking.
Gonzaga’s Tournament Projection and Pod Matchups
Lunardi’s latest brackets have Gonzaga playing in Portland, Oregon, where they would kick off the tournament facing No. 15 seed Montana from the Big Sky Conference. Their pod also features a potential rematch between No. 7 seed Ohio State and No. 10 seed Creighton, a team the Zags recently thrashed by 27 points. Gonzaga has historical success against both these opponents in the NCAA Tournament, having beaten Creighton in 2021 and Ohio State in 2018. This familiarity could play a key role as the Bulldogs advance through this challenging region.
Challenging Path to the Final Four
Should Gonzaga navigate their pod successfully, they face stiff competition ahead. Lunardi’s projected bracket places them in a region that includes top-seeded and tough teams such as the No. 1 seed Arizona Wildcats, led by former Gonzaga assistant coach Tommy Lloyd, as well as No. 3 Illinois, No. 4 Tennessee, and No. 5 North Carolina. An Elite Eight matchup between Gonzaga and Arizona would be highly anticipated and potentially the game of the year. Both programs have rich basketball traditions and great talent, making this a must-watch contest if it comes to pass.
Regular Season Key Matchups and Momentum
Throughout the season, Gonzaga is also set to face several NCAA Tournament-quality teams that could impact their seeding and momentum heading into March Madness. Beyond their earlier victories, upcoming games include matchups against Kentucky (No. 5 seed), UCLA (No. 5 seed), and Oregon (No. 9 seed). These high-profile regular-season contests will be pivotal in maintaining their elite seed status and building confidence in the squad under coach Mark Few.
WCC and Conference Tournament Outlook
Within the West Coast Conference (WCC), Gonzaga is viewed as a heavy favorite to earn another NCAA Tournament bid, continuing their remarkable streak of 26 consecutive appearances in the Big Dance. Saint Mary’s, another strong WCC team, earned a No. 7 seed in the East Region with a potential second-round matchup against No. 2 UConn. Meanwhile, teams like San Francisco and Santa Clara, despite solid records, remain just outside the projected tournament field, illustrating the strength and competitiveness of the WCC this season.
Insights on Coach Mark Few and Team Potential
Coach Mark Few has steered Gonzaga through a synonymous era of excellence, with the program consistently in the national conversation. This season’s strong start against power conference foes signals his team’s readiness to contend at the highest level once again. With a deep, talented roster and valuable experience against tough opponents, the Bulldogs have what it takes not just to make the tournament but to make a deep run potentially culminating in the Final Four and beyond
