Why Gonzaga can – and can’t – win a national championship in 2026-27

Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs are two months away from the end of what has been the strangest offseason in program history, and there are still so many questions to answer.

Will international commits Izan Almansa and Nathan de Sousa be eligible? Will the NCAA keep all three class of 202 senior transfers – Xaivian Lee, Chauncey Wiggins, and Javon Bennett – from suiting up this year? Will the Zags fill the final roster spot vacated by Skylar Wicks’ decommitment?

Advertisement

One thing that is clear is the serious level of talent on this roster, should it all come together. Few and the staff built a team that can compete with anyone in the country, thanks to an elite frontcourt, a veteran backcourt, and potential breakout sophomore seasons from wings Davis Fogle and Isiah Harwell.

There are plenty of reasons to believe this team – if everyone is eligible – can lead Gonzaga to a third Final Four, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few concerns with Kraziness in the Kennel just one month away.

Why Gonzaga can win it all

A formidable frontcourt

Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Braden Huff (34). | Photo by Myk Crawford

Huff’s return is one of the biggest, and least talked about, stories in college basketball this upcoming season. The 6’10 big man was in the midst of a breakout year, averaging 17.8 points on 69.7% shooting on two-pointers through 18 games before going down with a knee injury in mid-January.

Advertisement

His return and the arrival of Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop – a hulking 7’1 big man with elite rim protection and a growing offensive game – give coach Few a truly outstanding, well-rounded starting frontcourt that will be a nightmare for opposing teams all year long.

Add in 21-year-old Izan Almansa and two young, high-upside bigs in Parker Jefferson and Sam Funches and you have a group that competes with anyone in the country – and can absolutely lead this team to the promised land in March.

Veteran experience

Feb 7, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Florida Gators guard…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-gonzaga-cant-win-national-015514596.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-09-03 01:55:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.