Sports
Gonzaga Finishes 15th in Final AP Top 25 Poll After Sweet 16 Run
Following their ninth consecutive appearance in the Sweet 16, the Gonzaga basketball team concluded the 2023-24 season in the 15th spot in the AP Top 25 poll released on Tuesday.
The Zags, with a season record of 27-8, displayed a remarkable performance under coach Mark Few, moving up three positions from the previous poll after a solid showing in the NCAA Tournament.
As the 5th seed in the Midwest Region, Gonzaga secured a convincing 86-65 victory over McNeese State in the first round, followed by an 89-68 win against 4th seed Kansas in the second round, propelling them to their ninth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance.
Although their journey was halted by 1st seed Purdue in a game held in Detroit, Michigan, Gonzaga’s season showcased exceptional coaching by Few, especially after they overcame initial doubts to eventually finish strong.
The two-time reigning national champions, UConn, claimed the top spot in the poll following their victory over Purdue in the championship game, with Alabama and Houston tying for the third position. Meanwhile, Tennessee secured the fifth spot in the final rankings.
NC State, led by standout player DJ Burns, surged from being unranked to No. 10 after an impressive run to the Final Four, clinching the ACC Tournament championship along the way.
On the other hand, Auburn experienced a significant drop from No. 7 to No. 18 after a surprising upset by Yale in the tournament’s first round.
Saint Mary’s, despite a disappointing early exit, landed at No. 21 in the final poll, marking their third consecutive season finishing in the top 25 under coach Randy Bennett.
Furthermore, Washington State made a notable appearance at No. 23, marking their return to the final edition of the AP Poll for the first time since the 2007-08 season.
The AP Top 25 list also featured other prominent teams like Illinois, North Carolina, Duke, Marquette, and Creighton among others, reflecting the season’s competitive landscape in collegiate basketball.
