JUMPED: Gonzaga passed by Illinois in AP Poll despite big win over Saint Mary's! So what gives?

Gonzaga Bulldogs notch their biggest win of 2026 but stayed at No. 6 in the AP poll—should Illinois leapfrog the Zags with their three losses? Andy Patton dissects Gonzaga’s ranking drama, scrutinizes key differences in NET and KenPom metrics, and questions how injuries to Graham Ike and Braden Huff are shaping the team’s offensive efficiency and postseason outlook.

Chet Holmgren becomes Mark Few’s second NBA All-Star, but is Andrew Nembhard primed to join him? The show spotlights Holmgren’s impact with the Oklahoma City Thunder and examines Nembhard’s candidacy for the international All-Star team slot. Plus, Lisa Fortier’s Gonzaga women’s squad enter a pivotal WCC matchup against Oregon State—can they reclaim first place? 

From standout individual performances to critical conference battles, get ready for the latest in Gonzaga basketball’s pursuit of greatness.

Written work covering Gonzaga at SI: https://www.si.com/college/gonzaga

Locked On Zags Discord: https://discord.gg/FFNgKfXbKd 

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