Where does Gonzaga rank in latest preseason college basketball rankings?

The return of Anton Watson has boosted Gonzaga's outlook

The 2023-24 college basketball season is four months away, and the Gonzaga men's basketball program still has two scholarship spots to fill.

But that has not stopped the national analysts from taking an early look at the best teams in the country. 

CBS Sports' Gary Parrish has been regularly updating his "Top 25 and 1" preseason rankings, and his latest version has Gonzaga at No. 19. Here's what Parrish wrote about the Bulldogs:

This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top seven scorers - Anton Watson, Nolan Hickman and Ben Gregg - from a team that shared the West Coast Conference title with Saint Mary's before making the Elite Eight of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Mark Few will combine that core with a recruiting class headlined by transfers Ryan Nembhard (Creighton), Graham Ike (Wyoming) and Steele Venters (Eastern Washington).

Stadium's Jeff Goodman has the Bulldogs at No. 11 in the country. Here's what Goodman wrote:

Drew Timme and Julian Strawther are gone, but Mark Few has hit the portal and come up big with the addition of Creighton transfer PG Ryan Nembhard, Wyoming transfer Graham Ike and former Eastern Washington standout Steele Venters. Nolan Hickman will need to make a jump, and the Zags will also have Anton Watson and Ben Gregg along with talented frosh Dusty Stromer.

Sports Illustrated's Kevin Sweeney has the Bulldogs in the Top 10, coming in at No. 9 in his preseason rankings. Here's what Sweeney wrote:

Mark Few made a much-needed splash in the transfer portal to shepherd in the post–Drew Timme era in Spokane, adding point guard Ryan Nembhard, wing Steele Venters and big man Graham Ike this spring. Nembhard is the biggest fish, the top point guard in the portal and an immediate upgrade at a spot the Bulldogs were inconsistent at a season ago. Ike, a star at Wyoming in 2021–22 before missing last season with a foot injury, gives the Zags scoring punch on the block. The return of Anton Watson, one of the sport’s best glue guys, also helps.

ESPN's Jeff Borzello is very high on the Zags, ranking them No. 7. Here's what Borzello wrote:

We knew Mark Few would find a way to reload his roster following the departures of Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, Rasir Bolton and Malachi Smith -- and he landed three transfers to help offset the losses: Ryan Nembhard (Creighton), Graham Ike (Wyoming) and Steele Venters (Eastern Washington). The Zags also received positive news on deadline day, with Anton Watson deciding to return to Spokane, Washington, for another year up front.