BREAKING: Gonzaga surges back into the national title frame after a blistering week that puts the Bulldogs at No. 8 in the AP Top 10. I can confirm the jump comes after dominant wins over Kentucky and North Florida, a breakout from Braden Huff, and a milestone night for Mark Few. This is a statement, not a blip. The Zags look like Gonzaga again.
The Bounce Back That Matters
A month ago, Gonzaga wore a 101 to 61 loss to Michigan. That was the worst defeat under Mark Few. It looked like a crack in the armor. The response has been ruthless. The Bulldogs flattened North Florida 109 to 58. They muzzled Kentucky with force and control. Their tempo, spacing, and rim pressure popped off the floor.
The polls reflect it. So do the computers. Gonzaga sits No. 4 in the NET, No. 3 at KenPom, and No. 3 at Torvik, with balance on both ends. The numbers match the eye test. This team defends early in possessions and finishes strong at the rim. The rotations are crisp. The depth is real.
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Gonzaga’s efficiency profile now reads elite on offense and defense, a blend that travels in March.
Braden Huff Changes the Ceiling
The week belonged to Braden Huff. The redshirt junior forward seized the moment and never gave it back. Across Kentucky in Nashville and North Florida in Spokane, he stacked 44 points on 21 of 28 shooting. He added nine rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block. He moved like a player who knows the ball is his friend.
Huff’s touch inside is soft. His footwork is steady, not rushed. He punishes switches, seals with power, and faces up with control. Most important, he connects Gonzaga’s offense. Post touches become kickouts. Cuts become layups. When he screens, the paint opens. When he pops, defenders freeze. This is the growth Gonzaga needed to unlock the roster.
Graham Ike still draws attention in the post. Nolan Hickman organizes the game. The wings defend with length and energy. Huff lifts the ceiling because he can win a game on efficiency alone. That is the trait of a contender.
Huff earned West Coast Conference Player of the Week after that two game burst. It is his first, and it will not be his last.
Few at 750, The Standard Reaffirmed
Mark Few reached win No. 750 in Spokane in his 904th game, the second fastest climb to that mark in Division I history. The number is massive, but the meaning is larger. It marks a program that knows who it is in December as much as in March. Stability matters. So does accountability.
The Zags fan base felt it. This program teaches players how to win, then demands it every trip down the floor. Execution is their brand. There is flash when needed. There is control when it counts. Few’s presence sets the tone, and the roster is echoing it right now.
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Few’s 750th arrived in a 109 to 58 rout. It looked like a celebration and a reset at the same time.
What It Means Next
The jump to No. 8 is validation. It also raises the stakes. Gonzaga’s defense has sharpened since Las Vegas. The offense now mixes force in the post with pace in space. That blend will be tested in every high profile game, starting with the Pac 12 showcase in Seattle and rolling into West Coast Conference play.
The message is clear. This group can earn a top four seed if it keeps the throttle down. The analytics like them. The film loves them. The locker room looks aligned.
Here is what I will be watching next:
- Defensive glass control against bigger front lines
- Hickman’s late clock decision making in tight games
- Huff and Ike minutes together, spacing and switches
- Bench shooting to punish help on post touches
The Michigan loss still matters. It is the lesson, not the label. Gonzaga has played like it learned it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Gonzaga jump to No. 8 this week?
A: Dominant wins over Kentucky and North Florida, plus elite efficiency numbers, moved the Zags into the Top 10.
Q: What did Braden Huff do to stand out?
A: He scored 44 points on 21 of 28 shooting across two games, adding rebounds and playmaking with almost no wasted motion.
Q: What is the significance of Mark Few’s 750th win?
A: He reached 750 in 904 games, the second fastest in Division I history, which underscores Gonzaga’s sustained excellence.
Q: How do the analytics rate Gonzaga right now?
A: They are No. 4 in NET and No. 3 at both KenPom and Torvik, which signals top tier status.
Q: What are fair March expectations?
A: A protected seed is within reach. With this balance, a second weekend trip is the floor, and a Final Four push is on the table.
The headline tonight is simple. Gonzaga took a punch, steadied itself, and hit back harder. The Bulldogs are not just back in the Top 10. They are back in the hunt.
