The highly anticipated matchup between No. 6 Gonzaga and No. 8 Baylor on the opening night of the 2024-25 men's college basketball season turned out to be a one-sided affair, with the Bulldogs cruising to a 101-63 victory. Gonzaga's impressive performance highlighted their midseason form, depth, and experience, leaving Baylor struggling to keep up.

A Masterclass in Teamwork and Execution

Gonzaga's Offensive Onslaught

Gonzaga's offense was firing on all cylinders from the opening tip, as they carved up Baylor's defensive schemes with ease. The Bulldogs sprinted out to a 49-30 halftime lead, showcasing their ability to exploit both Baylor's ball-screen switching and post-double strategies. Gonzaga's unselfish play and efficient shot selection were on full display, as they finished the game with 25 assists on 40 field goals.

Baylor's Struggles to Keep Up

In contrast, Baylor's offense lacked cohesion, with players seemingly trying to win the game on their own. The Bears' lack of size inside, with only two bigs in their rotation, proved to be a significant disadvantage against Gonzaga's size and experience. Highly touted freshman VJ Edgecombe struggled, scoring just four points on 2-of-11 shooting and committing three turnovers.

Gonzaga's Depth and Firepower

Gonzaga's dominance was not just a result of their starting lineup, but also their impressive depth. The Bulldogs had five players score in double figures, and they also benefited from the addition of transfer Khalif Battle, who knocked down four 3-pointers. Mark Few's ability to seamlessly integrate new talent with his returning core of six of the team's seven leading scorers from last season was a testament to Gonzaga's program-building prowess.

A Tough Start for Baylor

Baylor's struggles on opening night highlighted the challenges they may face this season. With a lack of size and depth in the frontcourt, the Bears could struggle against top-tier opponents. Their upcoming matchup against No. 16 Arkansas on Saturday in Dallas will be another early test for a team that looked far from ready to compete with a top-10 team.

Freshmen Shine on Opening Night

While Gonzaga and Baylor's matchup was the marquee game of the day, the opening night of the 2024-25 season also featured impressive performances from several highly touted freshmen across the country. Duke's Kon Knueppel led the Blue Devils with 22 points, while his teammate Cooper Flagg filled the stat sheet with 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Alabama's Labaron Philon, Kansas' Flory Bidunga, Texas' Tre Johnson, and Michigan's L.J. Cason all showcased their talents, providing a glimpse of the depth and quality of this year's freshman class.

A Slow Start for Texas A&M

In another notable result, UCF knocked off No. 13 Texas A&M 64-61 in Orlando, continuing the Aggies' trend of struggling in their non-conference schedule. Despite being one of the oldest teams in the country, Texas A&M was unable to capitalize on their experience, as they were without transfer guard Zhuric Phelps and struggled to get consistent production from their backcourt.

The Big East's Underwhelming Opener

The Big East conference also had a lackluster start to the season, with all eight teams in action winning their games, but several of them trailing mid- or low-major opponents in the second half. Seton Hall, Butler, Providence, Villanova, and DePaul all had to grind out close victories, raising questions about the conference's depth and competitiveness.

The Portal's Impact on High-Majors

The transfer portal continues to have a significant impact on college basketball, with high-major programs also feeling the effects. South Carolina, one of last year's surprise teams, lost leading scorer Meechie Johnson to Ohio State, and the Gamecocks were upset by North Florida on opening night.

Santa Clara Impresses in Early-Season Matchup

One of the best games of the day was Santa Clara's 85-78 win over Saint Louis at the Sanford Pentagon in South Dakota. The Broncos, led by the impressive performance of Adama-Alpha Bal, showcased their depth and talent, and they could emerge as a serious contender in the West Coast Conference behind Gonzaga. Saint Louis also impressed with their offensive prowess, led by Robbie Avila and Isaiah Swope, and this game should age well for both teams.