No matter what the latest projections indicate about the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Gonzaga Bulldogs still very much control their own destiny.
Gonzaga (18-6, 8-2 WCC) certainly helped its at-large resume with an 89-85 upset over then-No. 17 Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Saturday, though one game won’t completely change a team’s fortune unless it can build off that momentum for the latter stretch of the regular season.
The Bulldogs have work to do in West Coast Conference play, as they sit two games back of Saint Mary’s for the top spot in the league table after falling to the Gaels, 64-62, at The Kennel earlier this month. Not to mention, San Francisco sits in second place with one more WCC win than Gonzaga.
The Bulldogs will pay a visit to the Dons (Feb. 29) and Gaels (March 2) to close out the regular season before the WCC Tournament next month. Until then, they can’t afford to slip up in league play.
“The challenge is all the noise. … To eliminate that noise and continue to focus on your team and your prep,” said Gonzaga assistant coach Stephen Gentry. “We’ve got to look at our own mat and handle our own business. … Everyone wants you to look a step ahead and you can’t.”