The Gonzaga Bulldogs moved to No. 2 in both the Associated Press (AP) poll and the Coaches Poll this week, marking their highest ranking in school history.
Indiana is No. 1 in both polls, but because Indiana plays in the Big Ten, the nation’s toughest conference, Gonzaga may have an opportunity to become the top-ranked team in the nation for the first time in the school’s history in the next couple of weeks if the Hoosiers stumble.
Gonzaga, the perennial mid-major powerhouse, may also receive a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, and has a legitimate shot to win the national championship. They may be the first mid-major to win the title if they do so.
“The polls mean a lot more this time of year than they do in November, December, even January,” Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said. “All of us are being judged on the true body of work. It’s definitely rewarding.”
Kelly Olynyk, perhaps the most improved player in the nation after Indiana’s Victor Oladipo, is a contender for national Player of the Year honors. He leads Gonzaga along with the versatile Elias Harris.
Rounding out the top five in the AP poll are Duke, Michigan, and Miami. Rounding out the top five in the Coaches Poll are Duke, Michigan, and Kansas.
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