Fansided

NCAA basketball power rankings: Way-too-early college basketball Top 10 for 2021-2022

By Mike Phillips

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Cody Riley #2 of the UCLA Bruins defends a shot by Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 30: Cody Riley #2 of the UCLA Bruins defends a shot by Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Michigan Wolverines during the first half in the Elite Eight round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 30, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 10
Next
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

5. NCAA Basketball Rankings: Gonzaga Bulldogs

It will be nearly impossible for Gonzaga to duplicate its historic 2020-21 campaign but there shouldn’t be a ton of dropoff for the Bulldogs. Jalen Suggs and Corey Kispert are locks to go pro but the upside around this team could increase if Joel Ayayi and Drew Timme remain in school, a possibility that has increased now that the Bulldogs have some unfinished business after failing to win a national championship.

Timme has definitely raised his profile after a tremendous performance in the NCAA Tournament but could benefit from another year in school. The same could be said for Ayayi, who could join Andrew Nembhard to form the core of a solid returning nucleus for the Bulldogs.

Mark Few has a loaded class of prospects simply waiting for minutes in Spokane, including sophomores Dominic Harris and Julian Strawther, four-star recruits from a year ago who barely got playing time thanks to the loaded Gonzaga roster. Transfers will look to flock to Few to bolster their draft stock and it also looks like the Bulldogs have another strong recruiting class coming for this season too.

The current headliner is five-star point guard Hunter Sallis, who should step right in for Suggs as a potential one-and-done star in Spokane. Gonzaga is also favored to land Chet Holmgren, the top player in the class, and if he commits the Bulldogs can make a strong claim to enter the year as the No. 1 team yet again. Given the variables of Timme and Ayayi, however, this spot feels like a safe floor for Gonzaga.