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

NCAA basketball power rankings: Way-too-early Top 10 for 2022-2023

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 17: Oscar Tshiebwe #34 of the Kentucky Wildcats against the Saint Mary's Gaels during the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: Anton Watson #22 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs shoots the ball during the first half against the Memphis Tigers in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2022, in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

9. 2022-23 NCAA Power Rankings – Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Bulldogs have begun each of the past two seasons atop the AP Top 25 but their goal of claiming the program’s first national championship has fallen flat in March. After a disappointing no-show against Baylor in the national title game in 2021, Gonzaga didn’t even get that far this season, getting bounced by Arkansas in the Sweet 16 thanks to extremely poor guard play.

The big X-factor for Gonzaga right now is, once again, the future of forward Drew Timme. The Bulldogs benefitted from Timme’s decision to spurn the NBA after a strong NCAA Tournament performance a year ago and could really use him back for a senior year that could help him solidify first-round status in the NBA Draft.

Chet Holmgren will be in contention to be the top pick in June’s NBA Draft while Andrew Nembhard is graduating but there is no shortage of talent on the Bulldogs’ roster. Anton Watson and Nolan Hickman should be back to help anchor the frontcourt while Julian Strawther is a likely stay candidate even though he has potential to be a second-round pick in the draft.

The incoming recruiting class is a one-man show right now as four-star forward Braden Huff is the only commit at this point. The good news is that Mark Few will have a few scholarships left to play with, giving him the ability to utilize the transfer portal to add an impact guard and depth in the frontcourt.