Everyone underrated Gonzaga, and now it looks like Mark Few has yet another team with Final Four DNA

The Bulldogs started off the Players Era strong with a decisive win against the No. 8 Alabama on Monday night, securing a 95-85 victory.

Entering the season ranked No. 21, many considered Gonzaga’s expectations for a Final Four to be overly optimistic given their past season’s struggles, including losing nine games and failing to reach the Sweet 16.

Despite these concerns, the Zags delivered a stellar performance, showcasing their potential and determination to prove critics wrong.

Mark Few’s strategy was evident as Graham Ike and Tyon Grant-Foster led the offense, capitalizing on their experience and skills.

“Our starting 3/4/5 had 16 points, and theirs had 60,” noted Alabama’s coach, Nate Oats, expressing his disappointment regarding his team’s performance against Gonzaga’s physicality and strategic prowess.

With this victory, Gonzaga has risen to No. 12 in the rankings, reflecting their potential to return to glory this season.

Even with an outstanding performance, the team highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in three-point shooting, which was notably less effective during this game.

Overall, the Bulldogs demonstrated that they have a formidable lineup capable of making a significant impact this season, as indicated by Coach Few’s optimism for comparisons to some of his best teams in Gonzaga’s storied history.