Where Gonzaga ranks in KenPom’s first college basketball rankings of 2026-27

The 2026-27 college basketball season is three weeks away, with the Gonzaga Bulldogs facing the Purdue Boilermakers in Las Vegas in one of the marquee matchups of Nov. 2.

In fact, it’ll be an opening day matchup between two of the top 25 teams in the country, at least according to the preseason KenPom ratings – which were revealed on Sunday.

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Gonzaga came in at No. 14 overall, sitting at No. 7 in adjusted offensive efficiency and No. 21 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Purdue just snuck in at No. 24.

Duke, Florida, Houston, Illinois, and Arizona make up the top five, with Iowa State, Michigan State, Kansas, Alabama, and Texas rounding out the top ten.

UConn (11), Texas Tech (12), and Vanderbilt (13) are the three other teams ahead of Gonzaga.

Gonzaga maintains high expectations despite offseason uncertainty

Gonzaga forward Massamba Diop (35) at Kraziness in the Kennel | Photo by Myk Crawford

Gonzaga is nearing the end of a ridiculously challenging offseason that saw multiple departures, including Jack Kayil and Mario Saint-Supery in May and July, respectively, and the ongoing eligibility saga for the team’s three class of 2022 seniors in Xaivian Lee, Chauncey Wiggins, and Javon Bennett.

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Even with all the turmoil, the Zags are widely considered one of the strongest teams in college hoops, and KenPom reinforces that with the team sitting just inside the top 15.

The return of potential All-American big man Braden Huff and breakout sophomore superstar Davis Fogle, as well as incoming transfers Massamba Diop and Isiah Harwell, gives this team a very high floor – no matter what happens with the fifth year seniors.

How the new Pac-12 stacks up in KenPom

Mar 4, 2025; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Boise State Broncos forward Pearson Carmichael (6) controls the ball as Air Force Falcons forward Will Cooper (6) guards in the first half at Clune Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Gonzaga is easily the highest rated program in the new look Pac-12, but the conference…

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Publish date : 2026-10-12 16:11:00

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