After a perfect start to their season, No. 3 Gonzaga University men’s basketball team is set to compete in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas, beginning on November 27.
This presents a great chance for the Zags (5-0) to earn crucial Quad 1 wins early on, which can be pivotal for NCAA Tournament seeding, especially considering the relative lack of opportunities for such wins in the West Coast Conference.
Gonzaga has been impressive to start the 2024-25 season, with a potent offense ranked No. 1 in the nation according to KenPom. Their blend of strong interior play and seasoned guard leadership has them sitting at No. 3 in the latest AP poll. However, the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament will not be an easy feat, as Gonzaga’s first opponent is a tough West Virginia (2-1) squad. The Mountaineers, once led by the legendary Bob Huggins, are now under the direction of Darian DeVries, who is in his first year after building Drake into a consistent contender. West Virginia has had a rough start to the season, including a big loss to Pittsburgh, but the presence of talented players like DeVries, a versatile scorer, keeps them dangerous.
If Gonzaga wins its opening matchup, they are likely to face No. 16 Indiana (3-0) in the next round. The Hoosiers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season and have added several high-profile transfers, including Oumar Ballo from Arizona. Indiana’s frontcourt has been strong early on, particularly McKenzie Mgbako, who has been a standout performer. They are also facing Louisville (2-1), which has a completely revamped roster after a rough 2023 season. New head coach Pat Kelsey brings an up-tempo style, focusing heavily on three-point shooting, though the team has struggled with efficiency so far.
On the other side of the bracket, No. 17 Arizona (2-1) is favored to make the title game. Under head coach Tommy Lloyd, the Wildcats play an aggressive, fast-paced style similar to Gonzaga’s, with standout players like Caleb Love leading their backcourt. Arizona will face Davidson (3-0) in the first round, a team that has struggled recently but has a talented forward in Reed Bailey.
The remaining teams in the field include Oklahoma (3-0) and Providence (5-0). Oklahoma is looking to break through in a make-or-break season for head coach Porter Moser, while Providence aims to stay undefeated and rebound after the loss of head coach Ed Cooley.
The first round of the tournament begins on November 27, with games broadcast throughout the day on ESPN. Semifinals will follow on November 28, with the championship game set for November 29.
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