The Gonzaga Bulldogs are the No. 3 team in the nation according to the AP Preseason Poll. It is the highest opening ranking in school history.

Preseason AP Poll rank team points rank team points 1 Kansas (37) 1581 2 Kentucky (19) 1529 3 Gonzaga (1) 1461 4 Duke (4) 1452 5 Virginia (2) 1286 6 Tennessee (1) 1268 7 Nevada 1230 8 North Carolina 1221 9 Villanova (1) 1085 10 Michigan State 1024 11 Auburn 974 12 Kansas State 922 13 West Virginia 678 14 Oregon 638 15 Virginia Tech 630 16 Syrcause 620 17 Florida State 530 18 Mississippi State 451 19 Michigan 437 20 TCU 311 21 UCLA 297 22 Clemson 268 23 LSU 187 24 Purdue 170 25 Washington 165

The Zags even secured a first place vote, one of seven teams (hello Villanova) to do so. The preseason poll also showcases the difficulty of Gonzaga’s non-conference slate. The Zags will for sure face No. 6 Tennessee, No. 8 North Carolina, and No. 25 Washington, and, depending on how the Maui Invitational shakes out, either No. 4 Duke or No. 11 Auburn. That also isn’t counting the possibility of games against Arizona (receiving votes).

But let us just focus on the fun part here. This is the first time the Zags have opened the season ranked within the top-5, and therefore, ranked within the top-3. This is the first time the Zags have opened the season with a first-place vote. This is the highest preseason ranking in school history, beating out a 2005-06 squad, led by none other than Adam Morrison, who began the season ranked No. 8 in the nation.

This year is going to be fun. Now commence the rest of the average joe-schmoes around the nation having their Monday ruined because Gonzaga is ranked so high.