Predicting Gonzaga's future:

[ChalkyDog]

They get upset.

There is no sense in trying to believe this Gonzaga team is any different.

Gonzaga has been built on playing teams in major conferences in the Non-Conference, preferably those teams would be dependent on the success of freshman, and as a result - an upperclassman laden Gonzaga team is able to matchup and beat these younger squads at that point in the season.

As a result, they've solidified their resume before conference play even begins (think how asinine that is). They then go about trashing one of the worst Mid-Major conferences in America. (A lot of that conference is questionable D1)

They go into the tournament with a gawdy record, and not having lost in a considerable amount of time, especially in comparison to the other top teams in the nation. Then they get seeded way too high for their ability, and as a result, they get upset way earlier than a top seed should.

This team might make it to the second weekend, but that depends on favorable matchups. If they run into a legit 8/9 in the rd of 32, they're donezo.

Gonzaga would be lucky to find a top 5 seed if they played in a legit conference.

You can copy and paste this post every year going forward, and it will ring true. I am generally a fan of Gonzaga, but them being a 1 seed is a fukkin joke.

My top 4 teams since the start of the season:

L'Ville
Florida
Duke
Michigan

I still feel those are the top teams in the nation, although I'd replace UM with IU at this point.

[Vinnie Paz]

Thanks chalk
I'll keep this in my mind and keep fading them against the ml

[C-Gold]

Could be the first 16 beating a 1.

St. Mary's is decent but the rest of their conference is trash. St. Mary's is a borderline tournament team. Wait until that dazed and confused Canadian big man starts playing basketball against black people. 50% chance they get past the 2nd round. I really doubt they win 3 games.

If they were in the Big East or Big 10 would they be better than Syracuse or Notre Dame? NO.

[k13]

All "mid-majors" will lose, not if but when.

[mtc44380]

I hear ya, and feel the same way. They are a decent squad, but cant match up against the major conference seeds, They WONT lose to the #16 seed, and thats for sure, but I could see them losing an 8/9 seed as well.

[EaglesPhan36]

They certainly haven't had the most difficult schedule. They played a couple of Big 12 teams in OSU & K-State that are ranked high, but just as questionable as most teams. There's really a lot of teams this year that have been ranked in the Top 25 who in other years - maybe even just last year, would have been crushed.

This is going to be a weird year for the tournament. Everyone's rolling out the "it's wide open" theory. Truly no dominant team, at least not one that I think you look at and say that Team B would have to play their A+ game to beat Team A. I think the draw is obviously huge because of the parody this year. The supposed teams with a chance could be in a bracket where their 2nd match is against a team who is a perfect match for them.

As for the Zags, I honestly have not seen enough of them - I think it'll be interesting to see how much respect the committee gives them, ranking doesn't mean shit all when they're filling out lines. So will they get the "group of death" draw or cupcake city?

[Speedy88]

I'm going to be in LA for the Sweet 16/Elite 8. I'm pretty sure they'll lose in one of those rounds.

They are as good as any team in the nation in the paint, but they are very weak in the backcourt. Stockton is a very questionable starting PG for a top 10 team. Only reason he gets so much playing time is because of his dad's legacy.

[ttwarrior1]

everyones picking them to get upset, basing it off there past teams that lost with a good ranking. This year is different. It depends on the matchups of course, but this team doesn' make turnovers, can play d . They can do it all and they are rested up and motivated.

[InTheDrink]

theyre certainly not the best team in the country as the #1 ranking suggests but theres zero chance theyll lose in the first round

theyre too well coached and they have two excellent big men who will flat out overpower a low seeded team

as they get to the sweet 16 their average guard play will be exposed and i agree that id be shocked if they made it through to the FF

[Speedy88]

It's hard to predict they'll get upset before the brackets are released. But if they get matched up with a team with strong guards, they might be in trouble.

[EaglesPhan36]

Gonzaga got a pretty good draw.

[ChalkyDog]

Gonzaga got a pretty good draw.

I think exactly the opposite, I question if they make it to the second weekend with that draw.

[Owls]

Gonzaga vs. Pitt is a coin flip. Pitt got shafted with an 8 seed, they can beat Gonzaga with their B game.

[LT Profits]

Gonzaga loses in the round of 32, and they would actually be a small underdog vs. 8-seed Pitt. Although I thing Zags lose regardless, even to Wichita State

[No coincidences]

Few's been past the first weekend twice since '01, and hasn't advanced through the Sweet 16 since the late '90's.

[pacers101]

lose in the round of 32

[OneTouch00]

all you guys are smoking fairy dust gonzaga is underrated and i dont care if they havent played top teams they just havent had the chance yet they will probably make it pretty far if not win it this year.

[C-Gold]

Pitt is going to be a favorite and beat them.

[YouHave2outs]

About 2 weeks ago Brock Landers said they were pretty underrated, probably going to the Final Four....that's all I need

edit: unless he changes his mind pre tourney

[mcduggly]

I think Kevin Olynyk is one of the best players in the nation and is a great leader of this team. Because of that, I think they go decently far if role guys like Pangos play well.

[InTheDrink]

I think Kevin Olynyk is one of the best players in the nation and is a great leader of this team. Because of that, I think they go decently far if role guys like Pangos play well.

if hes one of the best players in the nation then maybe you should know his name is kelly

[easyliving]

no doubt they will be upset. Probably in the sweet 16

[mcduggly]

if hes one of the best players in the nation then maybe you should know his name is kelly

Sorry, Drinker, I was thinking of what I was going to say about Kevin Pangos.

[C-Gold]

Pitt will beat them in round 2
Wisconsin would beat them
New Mexico would beat them
Ohio State would beat them
Notre Dame would beat them

[InTheDrink]

anyone wanna give me even money odds on a points bet that theyll get to the sweet 16?

[TPowell]

wow what a god awful draw. Best 8/9 matchup in recent history? (minus STL/Memphis last year)

[HOT WINGS]

Pitt beats them round 3

[EaglesPhan36]

Guess I'm an oppo opinion from most. I see a lot of teams in their bracket - especially to the Elite 8 that like to play mashing, physical ball. While that may not be their preferred play necessarily, I'm not scared of any of those teams if I am Gonzaga. Good defense will beat Pitt, Wisconsin and K-State IMO. Whether you think their schedule was legit or not, Gonaga was a top ten defensive FG% team in D1 and #2 offensively in FG%. They can defense and they can score. I don't doubt Pitt can defend with the best. I don't doubt K-State is solid defensively, but I've seen enough of both those teams to know they can be shut down enough to where if you have a better offense and you D is as good or better - you should beat them. Doesn't mean they will, but I think if they make it past that 8-9 winner, they're going to see quite a bit of the same sort of style albeit with some tweaks obviously with Wisconsin, etc. Just my two cents.

[tto827]

Ready for a Gonzaga fun fact............

They have outlasted their seed 2 times since the 01-02 season. 01-02 they beat won their first round match as a 9 seed. The other time they won as an 11 seed and then were blown out in the second round.

[InTheDrink]

Ready for a Gonzaga fun fact............

They have outlasted their seed 2 times since the 01-02 season. 01-02 they beat won their first round match as a 9 seed. The other time they won as an 11 seed and then were blown out in the second round.

looks like that will continue since you cant really "outlast" a 1 seed

[tto827]

looks like that will continue since you cant really "outlast" a 1 seed

They are the 4th number one. I'll say they outlived their seed if they get to the final 4.

[InTheDrink]

They are the 4th number one. I'll say they outlived their seed if they get to the final 4.

only reason i think they have a shot is their shit region

and unlike most i dont see them having a problem getting to the s16

[DOM_Toretto]

Any historic zaga stats DO NOT MATTER. This year's team is special.

I'm laughing at the people saying Pitt will beat them in the 2nd round - I don't even think Pitt makes it past Wichita State actually.

Zaga has an easy draw in my (very educated) opinion.

[tto827]

Any historic zaga stats DO NOT MATTER. This year's team is special.

I'm laughing at the people saying Pitt will beat them in the 2nd round - I don't even think Pitt makes it past Wichita State actually.

Zaga has an easy draw in my (very educated) opinion.

I read the same thing year after year.

[DOM_Toretto]

Maybe, but I've never said this about zaga. Olynyk, pangos, bell... Talented guards and impressive depth down low. They got the recipe, man.