Can the Zags Basketball Team Maintain Their Championship Legacy This Season?
As I sit here watching the Gonzaga Bulldogs warm up for another season, I can't help but reflect on what makes championship programs truly sustainable. Having followed college basketball for over two decades, I've seen countless teams rise to glory only to fade into mediocrity. Yet the Zags have defied this pattern in remarkable fashion, creating what many consider the most consistent basketball program west of the Mississippi. This season, however, presents unique challenges that test whether Mark Few's system can continue producing championship-level results year after year.
The conversation about sustaining excellence inevitably leads me to consider the broader ecosystem of college basketball, including officiating standards. While researching various collegiate leagues, I came across something fascinating in the UAAP's approach that resonates with what championship programs need. The Philippine university league implemented a revolutionary system where they selected 16 referees exclusively working for the UAAP based on merits, making the officials accountable for their mistakes, as penalized referees can no longer jump from league-to-league. This creates precisely the kind of accountability environment that benefits consistent programs like Gonzaga. When I think about the Zags' situation, the parallel becomes clear – sustainable success requires systems where excellence is rewarded and mediocrity has consequences, whether we're talking about players, coaches, or even the officials who oversee the games.
Looking at Gonzaga's roster construction this season, I'm particularly impressed with how they've balanced veteran leadership with fresh talent. Drew Timme's decision to return gives them one of the most experienced big men in the country, a player who averaged 18.4 points and 6.2 rebounds last season. But what really excites me is the backcourt development – Julian Strawther has shown flashes of brilliance that suggest he could be the next Gonzaga guard to make the NBA leap. Having watched this program develop players like Jalen Suggs and Corey Kispert in recent years, I've come to trust their player development system more than almost any other in college basketball.
The West Coast Conference presents its own challenges for maintaining championship standards. Some critics argue – and I've heard this repeatedly – that playing in a mid-major conference doesn't properly prepare teams for March Madness. Having attended 23 NCAA tournament games in person over the years, I can confidently say this criticism misses the mark completely. Gonzaga's non-conference schedule consistently ranks among the nation's toughest, with this season featuring matchups against Texas, Kentucky, and Alabama before conference play even begins. What matters isn't the conference itself but how a program challenges itself, and Few has mastered this balancing act better than any coach in America.
Recruiting has evolved dramatically since Gonzaga's early Cinderella days, and I've noticed a significant shift in how they attract talent. Whereas they once relied heavily on international players and overlooked domestic prospects, they're now competing with bluebloods for five-star recruits. Their 2023 recruiting class ranked 7th nationally according to 247Sports, landing two five-star prospects including the highest-rated commit in program history. This represents a fundamental transformation in how elite players perceive the program – no longer just a plucky underdog but a legitimate championship contender year after year.
The coaching stability cannot be overstated when discussing Gonzaga's sustained success. Mark Few is now in his 24th season, an eternity in modern college basketball where coaching turnover has become epidemic. I've had the privilege of speaking with several former players, and they consistently mention Few's unique ability to adapt his system to his personnel rather than forcing players into rigid roles. This flexibility, combined with core philosophical principles that never change, creates the perfect environment for long-term excellence. Watching them practice last month, I was struck by how seamlessly new players integrated into both offensive sets and defensive schemes.
Financial investments in the program tell another important story about sustainability. Gonzaga has increased its basketball budget by approximately 42% over the past five years, now spending around $12.3 million annually according to Department of Education figures. The McCarthey Athletic Center, which seats just over 6,000, creates one of the most intimidating home court environments I've experienced despite its relatively modest size. What they've built goes beyond facilities and budgets though – it's a true basketball culture where every component from nutrition to analytics receives meticulous attention.
As the season progresses, I'm watching several key indicators that will determine whether Gonzaga can maintain their championship standard. Their three-point defense, which ranked 184th nationally last season, must improve significantly. Turnover margin needs to move from negative to positive territory. Most importantly, they need to develop reliable scoring options beyond Timme, particularly in late-clock situations. Having studied their patterns for years, I'm optimistic about their chances – this team has the pieces, but the chemistry needs to develop faster than in previous seasons.
The true test of any championship legacy comes in March, and that's where my concerns slightly outweigh my optimism this season. The landscape has changed with NIL agreements creating more parity than I've ever witnessed. Gonzaga's collectives have raised approximately $2.1 million for basketball players according to my sources, but that places them behind several programs they'll need to overcome in the tournament. Still, if any program has earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to sustaining excellence, it's Gonzaga. They've made 23 consecutive NCAA tournaments, reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 8 of the last 12 seasons – numbers that speak to remarkable consistency in an increasingly volatile sport.
What ultimately gives me confidence about Gonzaga's ability to maintain their championship legacy isn't any single player or statistic. It's the organizational infrastructure they've built, reminiscent of the UAAP's approach to officiating excellence through accountability systems. Just as those 16 referees are selected based on merit and face consequences for performance, Gonzaga has created a culture where standards never slip, where every component from recruiting to player development operates with championship expectations. Having watched them evolve from Cinderella to powerhouse, I believe they're better positioned than any program outside the traditional bluebloods to sustain this level indefinitely. The system they've built transcends any single season or player, creating the kind of foundation that championship legacies are made of.