On Wednesday, November 26, college basketball fans settled in for what was being described as “the greatest regular season college basketball game of all time.”

The Zags, coming off a resounding 10-point win over Alabama and a 39-point drubbing of Maryland, were set to face the undefeated Michigan Wolverines, who had just dominated San Diego State and Auburn on back-to-back nights.

Fans were set to reap the benefits of the newly formed Players Era, as the nation’s two best teams prepared to face off in what promised to be a heavyweight matchup.

A mere two and a half hours later, the final score read 101-61, and questions of the Bulldogs’ validity began to rise. Michigan imposed its will on the Zags, shooting 60 percent from the field and 48 percent from deep. Leading 53–29 at the break, the Wolverines never let up.

However, since that lopsided defeat Gonzaga has not lost a game, despite the Bulldogs’ losing their best two players to injuries in mid-January, forcing Mark Few and company to alter their identity.

Braden Huff suffered a knee injury in practice that expects to have the junior sidelined for 4-8 weeks. Huff averages 17.8 points per game on 66.2% shooting, a mark that sits eighth best in the nation.

One week later, forward Graham Ike suffered an ankle injury against Washington State, sidelining the Zags leading scorer (18.1 points per game) for the last three contests. The good news for Gonzaga: Ike is set to return Saturday, Jan. 31 versus Saint Mary’s.

Despite losing Ike for three games and Huff for the last four, the Zags have remained perfect in league play.

Since showcasing its two-big lineup against Saint Mary’s in the 2025 West Coast Conference final, the heartbeat of Gonzaga’s offense has been Ike and Huff. The Bulldogs have lost just two games since the lineup’s inception, an 81–76 defeat to No. 1 seed Houston last March and a November loss to Michigan.

So, how have the Zags been able to stay afloat despite losing more than 35 points per game?

Against Seattle, it was freshman Mario Saint-Supery who piled in 20 points and knocked down four three-pointers to lead the Zags. In the following game, Davis Fogle logged 26 minutes off the bench and finished with 17 points as Gonzaga rolled past Pepperdine.

Its most recent contest against San Francisco is where the Zags faced their first true test without Ike and Huff.

Despite the effort from the Dons, Gonzaga snuck out a 68-66 victory with Jalen Warley, Tyon Grant-Foster and Fogle all posting double-digit scoring efforts.

So, the answer to how the Zags have remained perfect? An increase in production from their guards.

With two of the top frontcourt players in college basketball sidelined, the Gonzaga guards were expected to step up. What has been most impressive, however, is the range of different players providing production.

Ike and Huff are undeniable stars in college basketball. But, to win in March, you must have formidable backcourt play, and the Zags may have unlocked this over their last few contests.  

When examining the Bulldogs as a whole, they rank among the top 20 in adjusted offensive (19th) and defensive (12th) efficiency. They shoot the ball well with an effective field goal percentage of 57% (sixth in the nation) and limit turnovers while forcing their opponents into mistakes.

With Huff’s uncertain timeline, he could return toward the end of the regular season or just before March Madness. The team expects the rangy junior to be back, and when he is, the Zags will be as dangerous as ever.

The Bulldogs seemingly possess the attributes needed to win a national title. And due to the adversity faced over the latter-half of January, they may be positioned to deliver Mark Few a national title – something that has eluded the coach since he took over in Spokane in 1999.