Gonzaga rises to No. 2 in polls

Gonzaga has reached new heights in the AP college basketball poll, checking in at No. 2. The Bulldogs’ previous high was No. 3 in the final two weeks of the 2004 season and again last week. The Bulldogs (27-2) moved up one spot to No. 2 in the USA Today poll, equaling their highest ranking by the coaches in March, 2004. Gonzaga’s 27 victories and 93.1 winning percentage are tops in Division I. “When it’s at the end of the year it means a lot more,” coach Mark Few said. “Certainly it’s a lot better body of work to draw those types of conclusions. It’s great for the guys and the program.” Asked if it helps in recruiting, Few said, “Obviously it resonates with a lot of players and they can see how well thought of you are on a national level.” Gonzaga is sandwiched between No. 1 Indiana and No. 3 Duke in both polls. The Bulldogs received one AP first-place vote, Indiana the other 64. The Zags had three first-place votes and Indiana 28 in the coaches’ poll. “I can’t even go to any of my social-media sites, literally everyone is updating their status with where we’re ranked,” senior forward Mike Hart said. “It’s cool. Hopefully we’ll stay up there.”