Gonzaga Basketball: The Team to Beat in the Conference
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The Gonzaga Bulldogs are having an incredible season and are currently the top team in the conference. If you’re looking for a team to beat in the conference tournament look no further than the Bulldogs!
Gonzaga’s Conference Record
Gonzaga is an NCAA Division I college basketball team in the West Coast Conference. They are currently ranked number one in the conference, with a record of 12-0.
The Team’s Overall Record
Gonzaga has an impressive record of 18-1 so far this season. They’ve only lost one game, and that was to then-#3 Tennessee. Since then, they’ve won 12 games in a row. Their most recent victory was a dominating 92-62 win over Saint Mary’s. They are currently ranked #1 in the country, and they look like the team to beat in the conference.
Why Gonzaga is the Team to Beat
Gonzaga is looking like the team to beat in the conference this year. They have a strong lineup of players, a Good Coach and they are coming off of a successful season Here are some reasons why Gonzaga is the team to beat in the conference this year.
Gonzaga has a lot of experience on their roster. They have four seniors who have been starters for multiple years, and they also have a number of juniors and sophomores who have significant playing time This experience will be key in close games and late in the season when fatigue starts to set in.
Gonzaga also has one of the best coaches in the conference. Mark Few has been with the program for over 20 years, and he has led them to success in that time. He is a great motivator and he knows how to get the most out of his players.
Finally, Gonzaga is coming off of a Successful Season where they won their conference and made it to the NCAA tournament They will be looking to build on that success this year, and they have the talent to do so.
The Team’s Star Players
Gonzaga University’s men’s Basketball team is currently ranked number one in the nation, and they are the team to beat in the West Coast Conference The Bulldogs have four star players that are leading the way to what could be a historic season.
Forwards Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke are both averaging over 16 points per game while Hachimura is also averaging six rebounds per game Clarke is shooting an incredible 68 percent from the field, and he is also one of the best shot blockers in the country with 2.5 blocks per game.
In the backcourt, Gonzaga has two more standouts in Josh Perkins and Zach Norvell Jr. Perkins is averaging 11 points and five assists per game while Norvell Jr. is averaging 14 points per game both players are excellent three-point shooters, and they have helped the Bulldogs to the best offensive efficiency in the nation.
Gonzaga has all the pieces to make a run at a National Championship this season, and they will be a tough out for any team that comes up against them.
The Team’s Key Wins
In recent years Gonzaga has become one of the most dominant teams in college basketball They have won the West Coast Conference regular season title in 17 of the last 18 seasons, and they have made it to the NCAA Tournament in every season since 1999. Last season, they made it all the way to the Final Four before losing to North Carolina in the National Championship game. This year, they are once again one of the favorites to win it all.
One of the biggest reasons for Gonzaga’s success is their ability to win key games. In conference play they have won 22 straight games against ranked opponents, dating back to 2014. They also have a strong non-conference resume, with wins over teams like Iowa State Florida, and Arizona. Gonzaga’s success starts with their ability to win big games, and that is something that should not be taken lightly.
The Team’s Remaining Schedule
Gonzaga has a relatively easy road to the conference tournament final, as they are set to face the 8-seed Santa Clara in the quarterfinals and the 4-seed St. Mary’s in the semifinals. The biggest challenge left on their schedule is their regular season finale against the 2-seed BYU, which could be a preview of the Conference Tournament final.
The Team’s NCAA tournament Chances
As the conference season winds down, one team stands out as the clear favorite to win the conference tournament and earn an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament the Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have been near-perfect this season, boasting a 26-1 record overall and a 16-0 record in conference play They have won every single game by double digits, and their only loss came against a non-conference opponent early in the season.
The Bulldogs are led by junior guard Nigel Williams-Goss, who is averaging 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game He is flanked by fellow junior guard Josh Perkins, who is averaging 12 points and 5 assists per game In the frontcourt, senior center Przemek Karnowski anchors the defense while averaging 12 points and 5 rebounds per game
With such a balanced and experienced team, it is no wonder that the Bulldogs are heavy favorites to not only win the Conference tournament but also make a deep run in the NCAA tournament
The Team’s Potential NBA draft Picks
In recent years the Gonzaga Bulldogs have become a force to be reckoned with in Division I Basketball The team has produced several NBA Draft picks, including 2017’s number one overall pick, Markelle Fultz With a number of talented players on the roster, the Bulldogs are once again poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament
While nobody is quite sure who will declare for the 2019 NBA Draft just yet, there are a few players on the Gonzaga roster who have a good chance of hearing their names called on draft night. Here are some of the team’s potential NBA draft picks:
Rui Hachimura: A 6’8″ forward from Japan, Hachimura is one of the most exciting players in college basketball He’s an explosive athlete with a high motor and he can score from anywhere on the court. Hachimura is expected to be a first-round pick in this year’s draft.
Brandon Clarke: A 6’8″ forward from Phoenix, Arizona, Clarke is one of the best defenders in College Basketball He’s an elite shot-blocker and he has the ability to guard multiple positions. Clarke is also a very good rebounder and he has improved his offensive game in recent years He’s expected to be drafted in the late first or early second round.
Killian Tillie: A 6’10” forward from France, Tillie is one of Gonzaga’s most versatile players. He can shoot from outside, he’s an excellent passer, and he’s a very good rebounder. Tillie has dealt with injuries throughout his career, but when healthy, he’s one of the best players in College Basketball He’s expected to be drafted in the second round.
The Team’s Fanbase
Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball is one of the most successful programs in the country. They have made the NCAA Tournament every year since 1999 and have advanced to the Sweet Sixteen eight times, the Elite Eight five times, and the Final Four once. But what makes Gonzaga so special? A big part of it is the team’s fanbase.
The Zags have some of the most loyal and passionate fans in college basketball They regularly sell out the 6,000-seat McCarthey Athletic Center, which is one of the smallest arenas in Division I. And when they make the NCAA tournament their fans travel in droves to cheer them on. In 2017, an estimated 10,000 Gonzaga fans made the trip to San Jose California to watch the team play in the West Regional final.
Gonzaga’s fans are so dedicated that they even have their own nickname: The Kennel Club. The club was founded in 1988 and has grown steadily ever since. It now has over 1,000 members who all support Gonzaga Basketball unconditionally.
So if you’re looking for a team to root for in this year’s NCAA Tournament make sure to check out Gonzaga. You won’t be disappointed.
The Team’s Legacy
Gonzaga basketball has been a force to be reckoned with in the West Coast Conference for years. The team has won the conference tournament a record 12 times and has been to the NCAA Tournament 19 times, including five Sweet Sixteen appearances. In 2017, they made it all the way to the National Championship game, losing to North Carolina in a close game
This season, Gonzaga is once again expected to be one of the top teams in the conference. They have a lot of returnees from last year’s team, including leading scorer Rui Hachimura, who was recently named preseason player of the year by the media. With a strong core of returning players and some promising newcomers, Gonzaga looks like they will be contenders for the conference title once again.