I preface this by saying I have never been a big Gonzaga fan, but seeing how Gonzaga was dropped from #1 w/o losing last week, I couldn't help but think of how they are being treated like we did in football. The critics are holding their weak conference against them. All the while they prove themselves year in, year out by showing they belong with the blue bloods when NCAA tourney/CFP time comes (just like Clemson in the CFP). They schedule power 5 teams in the early season, usually coming out on top. Since '99 they have been to 10- sweet 16s, 4 elite 8s, along with a final 4 and title game appearance. Obviously they don't have the titles that Clemson does, but the success is undeniable. Gonzaga doesn't do the "Oklahoma" and get run out of the building in the tourney/CFP every year. I think the biggest differences in basketball is that you don't have the SEC hype machine chucking out propaganda about how great their league is(although some may argue that the ACC does in hoops, for the tobacco rd teams)and since 68 teams go to the bball tourney, the "they don't belong" argument is invalid. Regardless, if a miracle Clemson run doesn't occur, I may actually root for the zags to finally win that elusive title this year.
This much ado about nothing.Apples and Oranges When it comes to #1 in Basketball vs #1 in Football. If Gonzaga finishes in the top 10 they will get a #1 spot in their regional. They can still win the National Title in the end.