Hold onto your seats, Gonzaga Bulldogs fans – the Zags have stormed into the spotlight at No. 21 in the very first Associated Press pre-season poll for the 2025-2026 men's college basketball season! If you're new to college hoops, the AP poll is like the ultimate popularity contest run by sports journalists, ranking the top 25 teams based on their potential to dominate the court come game time.
Hailing from Spokane, Washington, Gonzaga stands alone as the sole representative from the West Coast Conference (WCC) in this elite list – think of the WCC as a tight-knit group of West Coast schools known for producing some gritty, underdog stories in basketball. But here's where it gets really exciting (and a bit bittersweet): This ranking marks the Zags' final hurrah in the WCC before they pack their bags and join the revamped PAC-12 conference starting next season. The PAC-12, once a powerhouse league with teams like UCLA and USC, fell apart a couple of years back due to realignment drama, but it's being rebuilt with fresh energy and new members. Will this move catapult Gonzaga to new heights, or will it bring unexpected challenges? That's a question that's sure to stir up debates among fans.
Kicking off the top spots are heavy hitters Purdue at No. 1, followed by Houston, Florida, UConn – the defending champs with back-to-back titles – and St. John's rounding out the top five. For the full breakdown of the poll, check out this link from AP News: (https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll). And this is the part most people miss: Pre-season rankings like this aren't set in stone; they're more like a sneak peek that can shift dramatically as the season unfolds with upsets and breakout performances.
To whet your appetite for the action, Gonzaga will tip off their pre-season preparations with an exhibition matchup against Northwest University on October 19th. It's the perfect chance for the team to shake off any rust and build chemistry before the real games begin. Want to map out the entire adventure? Dive into their full schedule right here: (https://gozags.com/sports/mens-basketball/schedule).
As Gonzaga eyes that conference switch and a potential deep run in March Madness, one can't help but wonder: Is No. 21 underrating the Zags' talent, especially with stars like their returning players and coaching wizardry? Or does the top five look unbeatable this year? Drop your thoughts in the comments – do you see Gonzaga cracking the top 10 by season's end, or is this ranking spot-on? Let's discuss!
