Will Gonzaga Win the National Championship?

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

It appears they will run the table and enter the NCAA Tournanent with a record of 32-0 or something close to it. Saint Mary's may get 1 more shot at them in the WCC Tourney.

They will get a 1 seed and the Final4 is close by in Phoenix. Bilas loves them.

I haven't seen any better team to this point in the season. The problem of course is how does their schedule translate to the national stage during March Madness?

This is general college hoops discussion but thought it would be interesting to post a new thread because of the rarity of a run like this. Will the Zags win it all?

 

[BUConn10]

No

 

[UConNick]

I think it's very, very difficult to predict a precise winner without seeing the actual games and potential match-ups. However, I think there's little doubt that Gonzaga is on the shortlist for teams that could win the whole thing. Watching them wrap up St. Mary's now, and they are impressive on both sides of the ball, on the perimeter, and in the paint. I think with the right draw they can make the final four easily, and frankly, even with a less than favorable draw (like a team that can match them on the front line - think UNC or maybe Purdue) in the second weekend, they could be tested but still emerge.

Short answer: yes, they're more than capable. But how high the probability will depend on the draw.

 

[Brochacho]

They will get a 1 seed and the Final4 is close by in Phoenix. Bilas loves them.

Fun fact, Storrs is closer to Orlando than Spokane is to Phoenix.

 

[shizzle787]

Elite 8 or 2nd Round exit. Odd, I know but that's what generally happens to soft 1 seeds. However, I would love to schedule them h/h for the next two seasons.

 

[Matrim55]

This is general college hoops discussion but thought it would be interesting to post a new thread because of the rarity of a run like this. Will the Zags win it all?

I think they're the favorites because of two things: They rebound the hell out of the ball, and they have great backcourt play (1.6/1 a/to ratio teamwide). So they don't give up second chance points and they don't give up cheap points.

That said, there are a couple of teams that can probably just run them out of the gym if it turns into a track meet.

 

[superjohn]

I think they're the favorites because of two things: They rebound the hell out of the ball, and they have great backcourt play (1.6/1 a/to ratio teamwide). So they don't give up second chance points and they don't give up cheap points.

That said, there are a couple of teams that can probably just run them out of the gym if it turns into a track meet.

Agreed, my guess they run into a team that just out athleticism's them.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I think they're the favorites because of two things: They rebound the hell out of the ball, and they have great backcourt play (1.6/1 a/to ratio teamwide). So they don't give up second chance points and they don't give up cheap points.

That said, there are a couple of teams that can probably just run them out of the gym if it turns into a track meet.

It seems candidates for that would be UCLA, Kansas or North Carolina?

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

They are this years 2004 St Joes. No. And the Huskies will win it all again too!

 

[Scoe]

The more people talk about Gonzaga winning a national championship the less likely it happens.

 

[Matrim55]

It seems candidates for that would be UCLA, Kansas or North Carolina?

I don't think UCLA play enough defense – they're a second-tier contender.

KU is good but Self is Self in the tourney. UNC have defensive issues IMO, but if they get Pinson back that'll give them a boost and they'll probably be the favorites. UK has a ton of talent (duh) but if Monk can be contained they kind of fall apart. Villanova is really good, really well-coached, but undersized. Virginia is really well-coached but they don't have a guy who can go out and just win you a game, sand same with Louisville & West Virginia.

Baylor & Oregon are legit contenders IMO, and I honestly think Cincy is, as well. Arizona & Duke should be there, but Arizona is soft and Duke doesn't really have a PG.

It's a pretty wild & wide-open field. I just desperately don't want it to be UK, but I have this sinking feeling it'll be them b/c of their length & athleticism.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

I don't think UCLA play enough defense – they're a second-tier contender.

KU is good but Self is Self in the tourney. UNC have defensive issues IMO, but if they get Pinson back that'll give them a boost and they'll probably be the favorites. UK has a ton of talent (duh) but if Monk can be contained they kind of fall apart. Villanova is really good, really well-coached, but undersized. Virginia is really well-coached but they don't have a guy who can go out and just win you a game, sand same with Louisville & West Virginia.

Baylor & Oregon are legit contenders IMO, and I honestly think Cincy is, as well. Arizona & Duke should be there, but Arizona is soft and Duke doesn't really have a PG.

It's a pretty wild & wide-open field. I just desperately don't want it to be UK, but I have this sinking feeling it'll be them b/c of their length & athleticism.

Great response. I just pulled a couple teams off Kenpom adjO ranking based on the run out of the gym statement. . I did not check tempo etc...no question UCLA is weak defensively.

 

[Chin Diesel]

No.

 

[Horatio]

It would be nice .

 

[superjohn]

I don't think UCLA play enough defense – they're a second-tier contender.

KU is good but Self is Self in the tourney. UNC have defensive issues IMO, but if they get Pinson back that'll give them a boost and they'll probably be the favorites. UK has a ton of talent (duh) but if Monk can be contained they kind of fall apart. Villanova is really good, really well-coached, but undersized. Virginia is really well-coached but they don't have a guy who can go out and just win you a game, sand same with Louisville & West Virginia.

Baylor & Oregon are legit contenders IMO, and I honestly think Cincy is, as well. Arizona & Duke should be there, but Arizona is soft and Duke doesn't really have a PG.

It's a pretty wild & wide-open field. I just desperately don't want it to be UK, but I have this sinking feeling it'll be them b/c of their length & athleticism.

Wide open field for sure. I see UCLA as contenders because I think Ball is that good.

 

[Matrim55]

Wide open field for sure. I see UCLA as contenders because I think Ball is that good.

I wouldn't be shocked, but I'm kind of in denial just b/c I think Alford is scum.

Whatever happens this year, I don't want a blue blood to win. No UCLA, Duke, UK, KU, UNC or Louisville. And definitely no repeat from Villanova.

I need the field to come through this year. If that means Gonzaga, so be it. If it's Cincinnati, I'll pretend to be happy for @kobe. If it's Arizona, good enough.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Cincy would be their 3rd title and have been way more consistent than us Lately. Don't need that.

 

[superjohn]

I wouldn't be shocked, but I'm kind of in denial just b/c I think Alford is scum.

Whatever happens this year, I don't want a blue blood to win. No UCLA, Duke, UK, KU, UNC or Louisville. And definitely no repeat from Villanova.

I need the field to come through this year. If that means Gonzaga, so be it. If it's Cincinnati, I'll pretend to be happy for @kobe. If it's Arizona, good enough.

I'm with you on Alford and no blue blood win. Would really like to see Gonzaga do it, Kansas never really bothers me but I love the fact we have more National Championships than them.

 

[shizzle787]

Cincy would be their 3rd title and have been way more consistent than us Lately. Don't need that.

The conference needs that though.

 

[shizzle787]

I'm with you on Alford and no blue blood win. Would really like to see Gonzaga do it, Kansas never really bothers me but I love the fact we have more National Championships than them.

It needs to stay that way.

 

[Matrim55]

Cincy would be their 3rd title and have been way more consistent than us Lately. Don't need that.

Meh, they deserve their moment. I respect them as a rival unlike, say, Syracuse. If we don't make the tourney this year I'll probably be rooting for them.

Plus it would be funny to me if our new rival had as many titles as the entire New Big East combined.

I'm with you on Alford and no blue blood win. Would really like to see Gonzaga do it, Kansas never really bothers me but I love the fact we have more National Championships than them.

Agree on that Kansas part. They never really get to me b/c I can always do "4>3" and that shuts them up.

 

[TRest]

All I know is that if we get in the tourney, I would welcome
St. Marys in our bracket.

 

[Jerry1714]

I don't think UCLA play enough defense – they're a second-tier contender.

KU is good but Self is Self in the tourney. UNC have defensive issues IMO, but if they get Pinson back that'll give them a boost and they'll probably be the favorites. UK has a ton of talent (duh) but if Monk can be contained they kind of fall apart. Villanova is really good, really well-coached, but undersized. Virginia is really well-coached but they don't have a guy who can go out and just win you a game, sand same with Louisville & West Virginia.

Baylor & Oregon are legit contenders IMO, and I honestly think Cincy is, as well. Arizona & Duke should be there, but Arizona is soft and Duke doesn't really have a PG.

It's a pretty wild & wide-open field. I just desperately don't want it to be UK, but I have this sinking feeling it'll be them b/c of their length & athleticism.

By enough, do you mean any? UCLA is a joke defensively. Which is shame because offensively they are far and away the best team in the country and maybe the best offensive team in the last decade.

 

[BugsyCT]

Until the Zags finally get to a Fina Four let alone win the NC, I won't believe they can do it. They're Pitt-level choke artists whenever they're a high seed.

 

[Jerry1714]

All I know is that if we get in the tourney, I would welcome
St. Marys in our bracket.

You know who St. Mary's would love to see? UConn.