Gonzaga Bulldogs Are Remaining Patient

The Indiana Hoosiers look good. So do the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines. Everyone is also taking notice of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes who some have in the Final Four now.

Although the Duke Blue Devils lost tonight to the Maryland Terrapins, they will be there when it is all said and done.

However, what about the No.5 Gonzaga Bulldogs? They need a shot at the No. 1 ranking don’t they?

The Bulldogs are an impressive 25-2 and 12-0 in West Coast Conference after beating the San Francisco Dons, who they snuck by 71-61 today in San Francisco, Ca.

Gonzaga’s only two loses have been to the ranked No. 13 Illinois Fighting Illini in early December and a buzzer-beater loss against the No. 13 Butler Bulldogs in mid-January (No. 13 apparently was not lucky for Gonzaga).

Having a new No. 1, especially a mid-major, would be great for college basketball. It would give hope and bring excitement to many programs around the country that  they too could be ranked No. 1 someday.

It seems as though Indiana, Duke and Michigan have all had their chance to be the No. 1 team in the country and have not been able to hold on to the top spot  for very long. Miami seems to be the hot new team on the scene and would probably get their chance before the Bulldogs.

It is time to give Gonzaga this opportunity that they have earned. The voters can make this one of the most memorable college basketball seasons of all time if Gonzaga gets this ranking because that precedent will last forever in college basketball.

They might move up a few spots with the Duke loss, but for now they will have to wait until a few more teams lose to get that coveted No. 1 ranking.

Follow Bert DeSalvo on Twitter @CoachDeSalvo