The Gonzaga Bulldogs are doing what they do best-winning. And doing it consistently.
After their latest victory over San Francisco, Gonzaga has now extended its streak to 34 straight wins over the Dons. That number might sound lopsided, but if you’ve watched these matchups over the years, you know they rarely feel like blowouts.
San Francisco always seems to push Gonzaga to the edge, but the Zags keep finding ways to come out on top.
That win in Spokane, coupled with a rough week for some top-tier programs-namely, Purdue going winless and Houston falling to Texas Tech-helped Gonzaga climb two spots in the AP Top 25. They now sit at No. 6, their highest ranking of the season. For a team that’s been flying a bit under the radar nationally this year, it’s a timely surge with March creeping closer.
Zooming in on the West Coast Conference, the Saint Mary’s Gaels continue to be Gonzaga’s biggest threat. At 19-3 overall and 8-1 in WCC play, they’re right on the Bulldogs’ heels.
The two will square off in what’s shaping up to be a marquee conference showdown on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN.
That game could have major implications for both the WCC title race and NCAA Tournament seeding.
All eyes will be on Gonzaga’s frontcourt, especially with graduate forward Graham Ike expected to return after missing three games with right ankle soreness. His presence in the paint could be a major swing factor against a physical Saint Mary’s squad.
Elsewhere in the WCC, Santa Clara is quietly hanging around the NCAA Tournament bubble. They didn’t receive any votes in the latest AP poll, but they’re in the conversation. And while the WCC doesn’t always get the national spotlight, it continues to be one of the strongest mid-major conferences in the country-just a step below the Power Five in terms of depth and talent.
With Selection Sunday now just 48 days away, Gonzaga is currently projected on the No. 2 seed line for the NCAA Tournament. Some bracketologists think a No. 3 seed might be more realistic, but either way, the Zags are in a strong position.
The metrics tell a nuanced story. In the NCAA’s NET rankings, Gonzaga holds steady at No. 4, with a 3-1 record in Quad 1 games and an unblemished 5-0 mark in Quad 2. That’s the kind of résumé that committee members notice.
KenPom sees things a bit differently, placing the Bulldogs at No. 9 overall, backed by the No. 19 offense and a stout No. 8 defense. Meanwhile, other advanced analytics sites like Bart Torvik and EvanMiya have Gonzaga just outside the top ten.
But rankings aside, this team is peaking at the right time. With a healthy roster, a deep rotation, and a coach in Mark Few who knows how to navigate the stretch run, Gonzaga is once again positioning itself as a legitimate national contender. The numbers may vary depending on where you look, but the eye test-and the win column-say this team is very much for real.