Gonzaga University secured an impressive 122-50 victory over Southern Utah last week, which propelled them to the No. 12 spot in the latest Associated Press poll. With a total of 863 points from the voters, Gonzaga continues to make its mark in the rankings.
In the West Coast Conference, Saint Mary’s earned 27 votes, while Santa Clara made a notable entry with three votes in the poll this season. Gonzaga’s current average margin of victory stands at an impressive 36.2 points for the 2025-26 season, ranking as the second-highest in the nation. This significant scoring advantage illustrates their dominant performance thus far.
However, challenges lie ahead for the Zags, as they prepare to face Alabama, ranked No. 8 and coached by Nate Oats. This highly anticipated matchup is set to take place at 6:30 p.m. PT on TNT at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. Currently, Gonzaga is favored by 4.5 points, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, with a moneyline of -192 for Gonzaga and -155 for the Crimson Tide. The over/under for the game has been established at 178.5 points.
The AP poll will serve as the sixth tiebreaker for the Players Era event, which determines matchups leading to the championship game on November 26. The Zags are trailing behind three teams in the ranking, including Houston and Michigan, but their strong performance could pave the way for a greater rise in the standings.
Arden Cravalho, a Gonzaga University alumnus from the Bay Area, continues to follow and report on the team’s journey. Stay tuned as Gonzaga seeks to build on their momentum in an exciting season ahead.