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College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 18

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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WCC
Feb 18, 2017; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) attempts a free throw against the Pacific Tigers during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
4

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Last week: 29-1. 17-1 WCC
Last rank: 4

Gonzaga moved on to Tuesday’s WCC Championship Game with a pair of tournament wins this week, although Mark Few’s team certainly hasn’t been in its best form over the past three games.

The Bulldogs struggled in the first half against lowly Pacific before pulling away in the second half for a 32-point win. More concerning was the fact that Gonzaga couldn’t put away Santa Clara in Monday’s semifinal and had to battle hard for a 77-68 victory.

While Gonzaga will certainly want to play better in the NCAA Tournament, it still should earn a No. 1 seed with a win in the final. Nigel Williams-Goss saved the day against Santa Clara with 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting to help overcome a terrific game by Broncos guard Jared Brownridge.

Prezmek Karnowski and Zach Collins also look to have recovered from a poor showing in Gonzaga’s lone loss to BYU in the regular season finale. As long as that continues, Gonzaga is in the mix for a Final Four berth and remains the top team in KenPom’s overall adjusted efficiency ratings with top three marks on both sides of the ball.

The Bulldogs will either get a third shot at Saint Mary’s or a chance for revenge against the Cougars, pending a late semifinal on Monday night.