VOTE: Would Gonzaga have gone Undefeated had they played in the B1G this Season?

[Franisdaman]

Would the Zags have won up to all 20 regular season B1G games AND 3 B1G Tournament games in 3 days?

Would they have gone 23-0?

Or, WORSE CASE SCENARIO, if they had covid issues like Michigan, would they have gone 20-0 (17 reg season games & 3 B1G Tournament games in 3 days)?

 

[Suterman]

No.

 

[mstp1992]

No, from one or more reasons.

 

[Hawksfor3]

No. And, from one or more reasons. The BIG is more talented and battle-tested top to bottom. And, as stated, all it takes is one off game and you have a loss.

 

[Underscore2]

This season, it would be possible. A certain amount of luck would be required of course. But the question was this season, so, possible.

During a normal season? No way.

They could have not played Michigan more than once. I think they could have hung with Illinois, especially if they got both games early in the season.

They would have handled (easily on any given night):
Nebraska, Penn State, Northwestern, Rutgers, Indiana.

Difficult wins but pulled out and luck involved:
Ohio State - if playing them during Teh Ohio State's "down stretch".
Iowa the 2nd time @ Iowa.
Purdue @ Purdue.
Minny @ Minny.
**** Wisconsin @ **** Wisconsin.

Some of those games normally would be tough, but with no home crowd I.E. Rutgers, this season and this Gonzaga team could have handled it.

Michigan State - down year for the most part. Win if they played the games prior to MSU changing point guards.

Mary Land - if played at the same time Iowa played them, or early in the year.

Keep in mind some of these would only be one game, so the they could have gotten away with Purdue, or Illinois, or Ohio State 1x.

The B1G tournament - that would be beat Illinois with barrage of 3 pointers then just playing some D. As we all saw, play some good D and Illinois folds hard.

Personally, I think Gonzaga should have wanted to reschedule the Baylor game. If that was a loss, better to have the exp. for the final.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Probably not. But they are still the best team I've seen play this year.

 

[SSG T]

I doubt it, but they still would have won the conference and been the best team through the year.

Record would have at least somewhat depended on schedule. If they played Michigan and Illinois once each, then the rest normal, they might have gone undefeated. They play those two teams twice each, they lose a game or two.

Either way, I think worst case, they go 18-2.

 

[Stormn Norman]

Doubt it

 

[CEIABall]

No but they still would have won the conference and would have been a 1 seed and playing for a national title Monday so who cares

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

Where’s the “hell no” option.

 

[33hawkfan]

Absolutely. Greatest team of all time and it’s not even a discussion.

 

[WSC72]

Absolutely. Greatest team of all time and it’s not even a discussion.

I think many would disagree on the ‘Greatest team of all time’ comment. Or maybe I missed the sarcasm.

 

[Franisdaman]

I think many would disagree on the ‘Greatest team of all time’ comment. Or maybe I missed the sarcasm.

1976 undefeated Indiana Hoosiers are the greatest of all time.

 

[33hawkfan]

I think many would disagree on the ‘Greatest team of all time’ comment. Or maybe I missed the sarcasm.

I’m sure there’s a long list of undefeated teams that won 27 straight games by 10+

 

[WSC72]

I’m sure there’s a long list of undefeated teams that won 27 straight games by 10+

Impressive accomplishment no doubt. Some would say that is due to an easy schedule sans a few opponents, some might say the strange Covid year might play a part. Some might say they haven’t won a title yet so it would be premature to crown them the greatest of all time.

I would agree with most posters that do not feel they would have gone undefeated in a Power 5 conference. Hard to name a team who has only beaten a few big name programs as the greatest of all time.

UCLA won 88 in a row, although no clue on margin of victory during either undefeated season

 

[grhawk]

Not a chance that they would have gone undefeated!

 

[denmar81]

Absolutely. Greatest team of all time and it’s not even a discussion.

1st year watching basketball?

 

[denmar81]

I’m sure there’s a long list of undefeated teams that won 27 straight games by 10+

In the WCC. They’re good no doubt but they don’t dominate like that in any P5 conference.

 

[Franisdaman]

we are at 69 votes, @Moral 's favorite number

 

[Moral]

we are at 69 votes, @Moral 's favorite number

Close the poll

 

[Hawkfan_08]

0% chance but a pretty high chance they win the conference regular season and tournament title.

 

[HungryHawk]

Would have had a lot better chance of going undefeated in the B1G than Pac12.

 

[fezzador]

I still think they’d drop 2, maybe 3 games. I think Michigan can beat them, as can Illinois. Maybe a clunker against a team like Purdue or Wisky.

Still plenty good to win the league.

 

[longliveCS40]

I say yes this year. The Big Ten wasn't as good as advertised and without fans, the home court advantage isn't as big to overcome.

 

[NI hawk]

NOPE!

 

[pocha444444]

This board really loves this topic. Not really sure why it matters. They may drop a game, but they'd still be the best team in the nation and playing for a national championship.

 

[brownd7949hawks]

They would lose a game or 2. But would still be the best in the league this year.

 

[ChiPackHawk]

Gonzaga may very well have won the Big Ten. Maybe by a game or two. But an undefeated champion - no way. UCLA proved that Saturday night. Over the course of 20+ games, someone would have just been the better team on that given night.

 

[BeepBeepInMyJeep]

I just don't think its possible to go through the league 20-0. They've played 9 power 5 teams and gone 9-0, but those were all neutral site games. Even in empty stadiums, there's a n added challenge of playing a top 25 team at their place.

 

[Franisdaman]

Gonzaga may very well have won the Big Ten. Maybe by a game or two. But an undefeated champion - no way. UCLA proved that Saturday night. Over the course of 20+ games, someone would have just been the better team on that given night.

Nailed it.

And Izzo would have had Suggs' nose broken, so how many games would he have missed?

 

[Franisdaman]

When you throw out the 3 Clowns who voted yes, here are the results:

112 no (93%)
9 yes (7%)

 

[WSC72]

Absolutely. Greatest team of all time and it’s not even a discussion.

Hey 33, still solid on your statement?

 

[33hawkfan]

Hey 33, still solid on your statement?

One of the biggest frauds of all time. Never trust a team starting multiple whites in basketball.

 

[Franisdaman]

Zaga is getting a taste of what it would be like playing in a Power 5 conference

UCLA on Saturday, they barely win

Baylor tonight, they are literally getting beaten up. Imagine what Izzo's team would do to them.

 

[WSC72]

One of the biggest frauds of all time. Never trust a team starting multiple whites in basketball.

It’s all good, they are a damn good team and, until tonight, had been a pleasure to watch.

 

[33hawkfan]

It’s all good, they are a damn good team and, until tonight, had been a pleasure to watch.

They probably finish 6th or 7th in the B12.

 

[Franisdaman]

One of the biggest frauds of all time. Never trust a team starting multiple whites in basketball.

 

[NevadaHawk]

At least 3-4 losses playing in the B1G.

 

[HawkLogic]

Michigan with Livers was right up there with Gonzaga.

Iowa could have played Baylor closer than Gonzaga did if Fran played slower pace like Wisconsin did vs Baylor.