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Gonzaga basketball: 5 teams that can upset Bulldogs in March Madness

By Mike Phillips

Feb 8, 2021; Provo, Utah, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) reacts with teammate, guard Andrew Nembhard (3) after their win against the Brigham Young Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2021; Provo, Utah, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) reacts with teammate, guard Andrew Nembhard (3) after their win against the Brigham Young Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3. Alabama Crimson Tide

The SEC’s best team has proven that they can shoot the lights out of the gym, an ingredient that would make them very dangerous to the Bulldogs. Alabama scores over 80 points a game and knocks down 36.6 percent of its three-point attempts,  a formula that can lead to an upset if the Crimson Tide comes out of the gate shooting well from beyond the arc.

Nate Oats’ team also has a tremendous blend of youth and experience, which could gain a further boost if key grad transfer Jordan Bruner can return from a knee injury in time for the NCAA Tournament. Alabama also has the nation’s second-most efficient defense according to KenPom, which could help slow down the prolific Gonzaga offense.

2. Houston Cougars

It would be fitting for a high-achieving school from a mid-major league to be the team that takes down Gonzaga and Houston certainly fits the bill. The Cougars have been one of the nation’s best teams all season long, ranking inside the top 20 for both offensive and defensive efficiency in the KenPom rankings, but they haven’t been really tested due to a soft schedule in the AAC.

Head coach Kelvin Sampson brings plenty of NCAA Tournament experience to the table for his team, which made a statement early in the year by picking up a key road win against Texas Tech. Defense is also a key factor for the Cougars, who hold opponents to just 57.8 points per game, and that unit could be enough to slow the Bulldogs down and set the stage for an upset.

1. Michigan Wolverines

Juwan Howard’s team has come the closest to breaking into the Gonzaga-Baylor weight class is Michigan, which has been the clear best team out of the nation’s deepest conference in the Big Ten. The Wolverines made one hell of a statement in their first game back from a three-week COVID pause over the weekend, rallying from a huge first-half deficit to stun Wisconsin at the Kohl Center.

Those guts will be key for any team that needs to go toe-to-toe with the Bulldogs. The Wolverines also have a solid roster from top-to-bottom, featuring an impact post presence in big man Hunter Dickinson alongside experienced players like Isaiah Livers and Franz Wagner. It wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Michigan be the team to knock off Gonzaga.

Next. 20 biggest upsets in the history of March Madness. dark

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