FanHouse NCAA Hoops BlogPoll: No. 6, Gonzaga Bulldogs

This week, FanHouse is taking an early look at the top teams heading into 2008 with a BlogPoll decided on by our college hoops bloggers. To help with the team capsules, we've brought in some of the top fan bloggers around the internets to give us insights on their teams.

Today, we have enlisted Zach Bell and Max Mandel of the The Kennel Report to break down the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Gonzaga has become one of the most recognizable college basketball programs in the nation. During his tenure, Mark Few has elevated the small, Jesuit institution to the forefront of college basketball. He's had guys like Adam Morrison, Ronny Turiaf, and Dan Dickau but the talent he has for the 2008 season is the best he has ever had at Gonzaga.


Point guard Jeremy Pargo leads an extremely talented back court for the Bulldogs. The Chicago native pulled his name out of NBA Draft consideration over the summer and will be looking for his second consecutive West Coast Conference player of the year award. Senior center Josh Heytvelt is at 100% for the first time since the start of his sophomore season and looks poised for a huge season. If he performs up to his potential, this could be a very promising season for the Zags."

Why they should be ranked here: Outstanding depth. This is not a Gonzaga team from 5 or 6 years ago. The Cinderella stories are long gone. Mark Few has assembled talent that can rival any other team in the nation. They play a very up tempo style of play which fits this very athletic team. The arrival of Micah Downs has impacted the defensive prowess of the Zags and while they aren't a top defensive squad, the improvement is noticeable.

Why they should be ranked higher: Experience. The 2007 recruiting class was probably the best the staff has ever recruited. As freshmen, Austin Daye, Steven Gray and Robert Sacre showed flashes of brilliance. Now they all have a year under their belt and should be ready to break out. Sacre will start the season on the bench with an injury but Gray and Daye will be stars this season. Combine that with the fact that their are four seniors on this team and you have to like what is happening up in Spokane.

Why they should be ranked lower: Injuries. Sophomore forward Austin Daye gave Gonzaga fans a huge scare of the summer when it was reported that he tore his ACL at the LeBron James Skill Academy. The injury was reduced to some ligament damage and a bone bruise but he has not been practicing for that long since the injury and it remains to be seen if it has any lingering affects. Robert Sacre, who started a number of games last year, suffered a stress fracture earlier in the fall and will be not be ready for at least three weeks to a month.

Thanks to Zach Bell and Max Mandel of the The Kennel Report for coming into the 'House to break down the Zags.