For the past two seasons, the Zags have been the No. 1 preseason AP team and a title favorite. The first year, the Zags made it all the way to the title game before Baylor had other things to say. Last year, the Zags were unceremoniously bounced in the Sweet 16.
This year, the Zags aren’t No. 1. They are just merely No. 2 and are one of four teams receiving first-place votes. College basketball is rather heavy at the top, and although the Zags are once again casually lobbed around as championship winners, this year, they will have plenty of competition.