The Gonzaga Bulldogs have clawed their way back into the AP Top 25 at no. 25 for this week after last being ranked on Dec. 5 when it was no. 23 and sitting at 5-1.
The Zags are now 11-2 after beating Xavier, 72-65, at Xavier on New Year's Eve. Their next game is on Jan. 5 against Pepperdine which, barring an upset, should put them at 12-2.
The last time the Zags suffered a loss was against Michigan State on Feb. 4, two days after their first loss of the season to Illinois. Since then, they've reeled off six straight wins as the West Coast Conference season kicks into full gear.
The Zags have used a balanced attack led by three players who average double figures in Kevin Pangos (14.8), Elias Harris (13.0) and Robert Sacre (11.8) and sophomore Sam Dower had his first double-double of the season against Xavier with 20 points and 10 rebounds, which bodes well for the future.