Gonzaga sophomore forward Filip Petrusev is one of 46 players on the initial watch list for the Oscar Robertson Trophy, awarded annually to the national player of the year.

Ayayi delivered 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists and six other Zags reached double figures as the No. 9 Gonzaga crushed Texas Southern 101-62 Wednesday in front of 6,000 at the McCarthey Athletic Center

Offensive MVP, defensive MVP and key moment from Gonzaga’s victory over Texas Southern at the McCarthey Athletic Center

It’s just a guess, but more than likely the weather was better in the Bahamas, where Gonzaga spent its Thanksgiving weekend, than it was Wednesday night in Spokane.

Corey Kispert scored 17 points to lead seven Bulldogs in double-figures and No. 9 Gonzaga defeated Texas Southern 101-62 at McCarthey Athletic Center on Wednesday.

Gonzaga returns to the court licking its wounds from its most lopsided loss since the 2014 season and with concern over the health status of several players.

Texas Southern point guard Tyrik Armstrong has reached double figures in all seven games.

Georgetown transfer James Akinjo is reportedly considering Gonzaga among other options.

The number next to Gonzaga’s name finally changed. The Zags, No. 8 for four weeks in the AP college basketball poll, slipped to No. 9 in Monday’s rankings.

The list of Final Four contenders runs at least 20 deep, and it includes Gonzaga (8-1), North Carolina and Oregon, even without Battle 4 Atlantis hardware.

Gonzaga, playing its third game in less than three days, ran into the wrong opponent in the Battle 4 Atlantis championship game. Michigan completed a convincing performance at the Battle 4 Atlantis, outplaying the eighth-ranked Zags in every facet for an 82-64 victory Friday in Paradise Island, Bahamas.