EvanMiya’s Preseason Rankings Favor the Zags Once Again

PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: Davis Fogle #4 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs looks on against the Kennesaw State Owls during the first half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 19, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The first edition of EvanMiya’s rankings has the Gonzaga Bulldogs at No. 5 overall, but No. 9 without their four ineligible players at the moment.

That’s fifth-year forward Chauncey Wiggins (Florida State Seminoles transfer), forward/center Izan Almansa of Spain’s Real Madrid, point guard Nathan de Sousa of France’s Cholet Basket, and Fifth-year point guard Javon Bennett (Dayton Flyers transfer).

The Zags’ offensive rating is No. 4, with their defensive rating not too far behind at No. 11. But what does the starting five under coach Mark Few currently look like?

Fifth-year point guard Xaivian Lee (Florida Gators transfer)

Sophomore guard/wing Isiah Harwell (Houston Cougars transfer)

Sophomore wing Davis Fogle

Redshirt senior power forward Braden Huff

Sophomore center Massamba Diop (Arizona State Sun Devils transfer)

The projected core bench holds redshirt freshman forward/small-ball center Parker Jefferson, freshman combo guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa of France’s JL Bourg, true freshman wing Luca Foster, and true freshman center Sam Funches.

The depth in the frontcourt is present on the 2026-27 roster, but this group is still missing support at the lead guard position as the ongoing lawsuits across the country against the NCAA continue.

Kraziness in the Kennel inside the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington, will be the public’s first look at the upcoming team on Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. PT. Complimentary tickets can be claimed on Oct. 1 at 1 p.m. PT here.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho