The Gonzaga Bulldogs have been ranked No. 7 in CBS Sports’ Top 25 and 1 rankings for the upcoming 2024-25 college basketball season. They are expected to have an experienced roster, with most of their 2023-24 squad set to return, although fifth-year senior Anton Watson will be leaving. The team could potentially add 6-foot-7 wing Michael Ajayi, an All-WCC player from Pepperdine, if he decides against entering the NBA Draft. Additionally, Steele Venters, the Big Sky Player of the Year in 2022-23, is expected to return after missing last season due to a torn ACL.
These returning players, along with potential new additions, have led to high expectations for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. According to CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish, Gonzaga is expected to make its 26th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament next March based on the strength of their returning roster. Other reputable sources such as ESPN, The Athletic, and 247Sports have also ranked Gonzaga highly, with some placing them in the top five teams nationwide.
In the previous season, the Bulldogs had a strong finish after an 11-5 start, winning 15 of their last 18 games. During this stretch, they boasted the third-best offensive efficiency numbers in the country. Their impressive shooting percentages, including 59.8% effective field goal percentage
