Jeff Goodman Preseason Top 25 - Zags #12 - 5/11/25

[ZagNative]

From FoxSports:

12. GONZAGA



Record: 27-7 (second round of the NCAA tournament)
Lose: Matt Bouldin
Key Returnees: Steven Gray, Robert Sacre, Elias Harris, Demetri Goodson, Kelly Olynyk, Mangisto Arop
Newcomers: Keegan Hyland


It won’t be easy to replace Bouldin, but the ‘Zags still have plenty to keep them atop the WCC and be a fixture in the Top 25. Gray and Goodson are a talented and experienced backcourt, while Harris and Sacre give Mark Few & Co. a front-line tandem that matches up with just about anyone.

[gozagswoohoo]

They leaved off Carter, and no mention of Dower.




SECRET WEAPONS!!!








hmm...maybe it's just me, but it seems like the word 'secret' should be spelled like this---- 'secrete'. Nevermind. Thats when juice comes out of something...or something like that.

[bullzag23]

They leaved off Carter, and no mention of Dower.




SECRET WEAPONS!!!








hmm...maybe it's just me, but it seems like the word 'secret' should be spelled like this---- 'secrete'. Nevermind. Thats when juice comes out of something...or something like that.

I think it's just you Woohoo.

PS- They 'leaved' off Carter and Dower?

[gozagswoohoo]

PS- They 'leaved' off Carter and Dower?

That is how we do 'shorthand' in Missouri.

[ZagNative]

I don't usually think of Washington Times for hoops news, but they've got a way-too-early top 25 as well:

24. Gonzaga
The Zags only lose one starter but Bouldin was such a huge part of their success due to both his play and leadership. Steven Gray will have to step into that role with Elias Harris being his wingman. Still, they should be one of the elite “mid-majors” once again.

Projected Depth Chart
C: Robert Sacre (Jr)/Sam Dower (Fr)
F: Elias Harris (So)/Kelly Olynyk (So)
G/F: Bol Kong (Jr)/Mangisto Arop (So)
G: Steven Gray (Sr)/ Keegan Hyland (Fr)
PG: Demetri Goodson (Jr)/Marquise Carter (Jr)

Gone: G-Matt Bouldin, C-Will Foster, G-Grant Gibbs (transfer). PG-G.J. Vilarino (transfer)

[ZagNative]

Here's another Preseason Top 25, from Rush the Court:

15. Gonzaga

Starting Lineup: G Demetri Goodson, G Stephen Gray, F Elias Harris, F Kelly Olynyk, C Robert Sacre

Matt Bouldin was fantastic last season, but I don’t foresee his absence derailing such a steady program. It’s scary to think how good Elias Harris will be with a summer to improve. Remember his 31/13 in a win at Saint Mary’s? You could be seeing plenty more performances at that level from the ultra-skilled German. It wouldn’t stun me if Harris is a lottery pick next summer. I’ll be honest, I expected a lot more from Demetri Goodson after bursting onto the scene with his game-winning floater against Western Kentucky last March. 1.8 APG and 14% from three is abominable for a starting point guard on a team with this much talent. Now he doesn’t have Bouldin as a crutch, either. Stephen Gray is so much more than a three-point specialist, but he needs to shoot better from outside this season. Robert Sacre emerging as a legitimate post presence takes a lot of pressure off Gray to produce.

[Psychozag]

LMU and Saint Mary's both mentioned in the "those to watch" list. Definitely will be GU and those two atop the WCC this year.

[NotoriousZ]

Here's another Preseason Top 25, from Rush the Court: Quote:

15. Gonzaga

Starting Lineup: G Demetri Goodson, G Stephen Gray, F Elias Harris, F Kelly Olynyk, C Robert Sacre

Matt Bouldin was fantastic last season, but I don’t foresee his absence derailing such a steady program. It’s scary to think how good Elias Harris will be with a summer to improve. Remember his 31/13 in a win at Saint Mary’s? You could be seeing plenty more performances at that level from the ultra-skilled German. It wouldn’t stun me if Harris is a lottery pick next summer. I’ll be honest, I expected a lot more from Demetri Goodson after bursting onto the scene with his game-winning floater against Western Kentucky last March. 1.8 APG and 14% from three is abominable for a starting point guard on a team with this much talent. Now he doesn’t have Bouldin as a crutch, either. Stephen Gray is so much more than a three-point specialist, but he needs to shoot better from outside this season. Robert Sacre emerging as a legitimate post presence takes a lot of pressure off Gray to produce.

This is Steven's senior year, you'd think they could spell his name correctly. But anyway, I think that with all of the talent on this team we should be a preseason top 10, and this could be the year that we get in the Final Four. Steven, Manny, Harris, and Sacre will have BIG seasons, and I'd say that the rest of the team is just incredible to have as a supporting cast. One or two will most likely have a surprise breakout season for us (Kelly, Dower, Kong, Hyland, Carter, ...Meech?) and I can't wait to watch it all unfold.

[BobZag]

Top-10, or near it, is about right, imo.

[cggonzaga]

If Meech makes the same improvement Pargo did from his sophomore to junior year then I say top 7. If he doesn't then just outside the top 10. I'm very interested to see Carter play and what kind of impact he'll have on this year's team. He's the darkhorse in how the season plays out in my opinion. We have great talent across the board and if our pgs step up...look out!

[ZagNative]

Wow. The hype train leaves the station early this year. Hoping y'all are right, but I'm just happy to wait and see ...

[MDABE80]

Agree...Top-15 anyway. I'd move Manny to the front of the class. Sam becomes a force as a 4-5. Elias as a 3-4. Gray made his bones as a super FT and 3 pt shooter. Hope he gets back to those....3 pt shooting for sure.

Boy...could we use a PG!! New kids might be good but looking at APG and 3 pt shooting makes me nervous. Meech needs a lot of work! FT's too. Hope Few found a dandy. We need one.

These polls will be sprouting over the next few months...as a post draft addendum. Now we'll have a chance to see where the dust settles. Some left, some stayed in school. The fun begins. We'll be there....last year's team was a surprise because of all the player losses and new inexperienced additions. With a full year under thir belts and a full Summer to work together, the Zags should be improved. Matt's going to be missed plenty even though he tailed off due to injury....quite a bit more than we knew about.

[ridgebackzag]

Andy Katz has changed his perspective on the Zags since the dance. He's got us at #9 now.

9. Gonzaga: The Bulldogs are a bit like Villanova. When you digest that they lost Matt Bouldin, you assume they've lost their star and will fade. But the Zags do return a star in the making in Elias Harris. He should be the more featured player this season, and given room to shine, will produce. If Steven Gray can be more consistent on the perimeter, Demetri Goodson can be more consistent as a lead guard and Robert Sacre can be a force inside, Gonzaga will be the top team in the West -- again.

Edit: Duke is going to be scary good next year. Losing Sheyer and a lackluster Zoubek, only to bring in Kyrie Irving and a tranfer in Seth Curry.

[ZagNative]

Andy Katz and Doug Gottlieb have a podcast, where Katz runs his thoughts past Gottlieb about the Top 25 and Gottlieb chips in his opinion. It runs for a while, but it's fun to listen to, especially as they haggle over who should be in or out and where they should be ranked. Interesting for me: Little discussion of the Zags, as if it's a given the Zags will be solidly inside the top 25, whereas, at the end of their interview, they were talking about Butler not making the cut.

Now I have to look at Andy's published Top 25 to see how it all came out in print.

Edited to add: Butler's in at #20.

[MDABE80]

Butler might not. I hope they do but Gordon to leave is huge. Howard will stick around....the rest too. 3 other starters returning and 1 seriously good reserve back should get them in. Not much room for injury though.