NCAA Men’s Basketball: Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Kansas Jayhawks- Possible Lineups and Predictions

NCAA Men’s Basketball season will be returning with a massive clash between two of the best teams in the nation. The NCCA has arranged ‘Bubbleville‘ in Connecticut. It will allow them to go through 11-days of basketball without exposing anyone involved to the COVID-19 virus.

However, big games like the Virginia Cavaliers vs Florida Gators had to be canceled due to the pandemic. Nonetheless, other big games are still on the board. This includes a clash between the best-ranked team in the country this year, the Gonzaga Bulldogs against the sixth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks.

How will this season-opening clash between these two titans go? Will either exemplify why they should be favorites to be crowned college basketball champions?

The game will take place on the 26th of November.

NCAA Men’s Basketball: Who wins this clash of the titans?

Coaches Mark Few and Bill Self will have interesting decisions ahead of them. After both coaches fielded highly-competitive teams last season, this year’s outlook is different. Both teams have lost players who moved to the pros, but they have a lot of new recruits and returning players.

In terms of new recruits, Gonzaga probably has the best in 6’5 guard Jalen Suggs. Suggs was the top-ranked recruit heading out of college and is bound to make a part of the starting lineup. He is a high-energy scorer who will perfectly fit the system put in place by coach Few.

His back-court mate is the speedy Joel Ayayi. Corey Kispert should slot in at the three for the Zags, with Anton Watson and Drew Timme rounding out the team.

The Jayhawks will also field a strong team. While Gonzaga is the best-ranked ahead of this season, Kansas isn’t far behind.

Their backcourt features Bryce Thompson (only freshman in the starting lineup) and senior guard Marcus Garrett. Ochai Agbaji may fit in at the small forward, with the rest of the frontcourt featuring Tyon Frant-Foster and David McCormack.

As for our prediction, we would say that the Jayhawks may upset the Bulldogs. Both these teams have only one new freshman, but the Jayhawks have had more time together over the years. If Bryce Thompson can have a seamless transition in his first game, the Jayhawks might have enough to leave with a win.