Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Baylor Bears Picks and Predictions November 4th 2024

No. 6 Gonzaga, No. 8 Baylor Face Off in Star-Studded Opener

The stage is set for a thrilling start to the college basketball season as No. 6 Gonzaga hosts No. 8 Baylor on Monday night in Spokane, Washington. This game not only features two powerhouse programs but also marks a high-stakes rematch of the 2021 NCAA title game, which Baylor claimed decisively with an 86-70 victory. Both teams are loaded with new and returning talent, and both coaches emphasize the importance of top-tier matchups early in the season.

Gonzaga: A History of High-Caliber Competition

Gonzaga’s commitment to a tough nonconference schedule has defined the program’s rise as a national powerhouse. Coach Mark Few sees this as crucial to preparing his team for another deep tournament run. Gonzaga’s streak of nine consecutive Sweet 16 appearances speaks to this strategic focus. This year, the Bulldogs are as loaded as ever, bringing back a number of top players while adding new transfers ready to make an impact.

The team’s exhibition games highlighted Gonzaga’s depth and versatility. Last week, the Bulldogs tested their lineup against Southern California in a charity exhibition, with Few using the game to experiment with different combinations and rotations. Guard Nolan Hickman, one of the team’s leading voices, knows the Bulldogs must hit the ground running.

“I’m trying to get all the guys fired up,” Hickman said after Gonzaga’s 109-52 exhibition victory over Warner Pacific. “We’ve gotta come out with energy, hit ‘em in the mouth. We are ready.”

Key players to watch for Gonzaga include power forward Graham Ike and guard Ryan Nembhard. Both are on the Naismith Player of the Year preseason watch list, with Ike also featured on the Karl Malone Award watch list, awarded to the nation’s top power forward. Small forward Michael Ajayi, a transfer from Pepperdine, is expected to play a pivotal role, having earned a spot on the Julius Erving Award watch list.

Baylor: Building a New Core

For Baylor, this season represents a new chapter after losing four starters from last year’s squad, which exited in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Coach Scott Drew has added significant talent to fill those gaps, focusing on experienced transfers and promising freshmen.

Baylor’s top newcomers include Norchad Omier from Miami, who joins Ike on the Malone Award watch list, and Jeremy Roach, a Duke transfer who earned a spot on the Bob Cousy Award watch list for the nation’s top point guard. The Bears also feature VJ Edgecombe, the Big 12’s preseason freshman of the year, who landed on the Jerry West Award watch list and Naismith list. Drew is optimistic about how this new lineup will perform under pressure, even with so much transition on the roster.

“College basketball has a lot of transition now,” Drew noted on the “Marching to Madness” podcast. “We open with Gonzaga, and whenever you have a team that returns seven of their top eight from the year before, it’s a huge advantage.”

Top-Tier Competition: A Mutual Commitment

Both Few and Drew understand the value of challenging matchups early in the season. Drew is especially vocal about how high-profile matchups benefit college basketball overall, drawing comparisons to early-season football showdowns that generate excitement and shape teams’ national standings.

“For the good of the game, it’s great to have early-season matchups like they do in college football in that first week to draw attention to college basketball,” Drew said. “The NCAA metrics do a good job of not punishing you for losses rather than playing quality competition. It can be nothing but rewarding.”

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Both teams are embracing this mentality, with Baylor also facing No. 16 Arkansas in the opening week, a game that promises to further test Drew’s new roster and set the tone for the season.

Preview: What to Watch For

1. Guard Play: Hickman and Nembhard will set the pace for Gonzaga, while Baylor leans on the court vision and scoring of Jeremy Roach and VJ Edgecombe. Both backcourts will be looking to disrupt the opposing team’s offensive rhythm.
2. Frontcourt Firepower: Graham Ike and Norchad Omier bring impressive skill sets to their new teams, and both will look to establish dominance in the paint.
3. Depth and Defense: While Gonzaga may have an edge in continuity, Baylor’s athletic roster and Drew’s strategic coaching style promise an intense and fast-paced defensive matchup.

As both teams seek a statement win to open the season, fans can expect a thrilling showdown between two top-ten teams, each loaded with talent and ready to set a high standard for the months ahead.