Kristian Ferrell
Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team has had a successful history in college basketball, with a notable record in the West Coast Conference (WCC) and NCAA tournaments. Since the 1990s, the team has consistently ranked among the top basketball programmes in the country, making it to the NCAA Division I Tournament 25 times. While they have not won an NCAA championship, they have had two Final Four appearances and have dominated the WCC, winning 26 regular-season championships and 21 tournament championships. Their most recent notable achievement was an undefeated 2020-21 regular season, where they earned the #1 overall seed in the tournament.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of WCC Tournament Champions | 21 |
| Number of WCC Regular Season Champions | 26 |
| Number of NCAA Division I Tournament Appearances | 25 |
| Number of Conference Championship Games Won | 20 |
| Number of Final Four Appearances | 2 |
| Number of National Championship Games | 2 |
| Outcome of 2017 National Championship Game | Loss to North Carolina, 71-65 |
| Outcome of 2021 National Championship Game | Loss to Baylor, 86-70 |
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What You'll Learn
Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball history
The Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team has a rich history that dates back to February 1905 when the university added a gymnasium to the new college building. Over the years, the team has established itself as a major basketball powerhouse, consistently appearing in NCAA tournaments and producing notable results.
In the early years, the Gonzaga basketball team played in a gymnasium nicknamed "the cave". In 1964, construction began for a new athletic facility, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Pavilion, which opened in December 1965. Despite this new facility, the team suffered a significant loss in their first game there against Washington State, losing 106-78.
However, the Gonzaga Bulldogs quickly turned their fortunes around and established themselves as a force in college basketball. They have been a consistent presence in the NCAA tournaments since 1999, reaching the Elite Eight that year. The team has also appeared in every final AP poll since the 2008-09 season and has an impressive streak of 24 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances as of 2022.
The Bulldogs have had notable success in their conference, the West Coast Conference (WCC). They have won 26 regular-season WCC championships and 21 WCC tournament championships. Their rivalry with Saint Mary's is considered one of the best in college basketball, with the two teams combining to win 24 out of the last 26 conference championship games.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have also made it to the Final Four on two occasions, in 2017 and 2021. In 2017, they lost to North Carolina in the national championship game, and in 2021, they suffered a defeat at the hands of the Baylor Bears. The 2020-21 season was historic for the team, as they went 26-0 in the regular season and were the last undefeated team standing in the country.
Overall, the Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team has a proud history, with numerous achievements and a consistent presence in college basketball's upper echelons.
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Gonzaga's performance in the 2016-17 season
The 2016–17 season was arguably the greatest season in Gonzaga's 109-year basketball history. Led by head coach Mark Few, the team finished the regular season with a 32–1 record, only marred by a loss to BYU on 25 February. They secured the second rank in the AP Poll, the highest final national ranking in school history before the 2020–21 season.
Gonzaga won both the West Coast Conference regular season and tournament championships. Their non-conference schedule included a matchup with Washington, as well as neutral court games against Tennessee (in Nashville) and Arizona (in Los Angeles). The team also played in and won the AdvoCare Invitational in Florida, competing against Quinnipiac, Florida, and Iowa State.
Gonzaga played 18 conference games within a nine-week span, starting on 29 December 2016. They also played in and won the single-elimination WCC Tournament, which took place from 2–7 March 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. This tournament was the first under a new 3-year contract with the venue.
The 2016–17 season witnessed the Bulldogs advance to the program's first-ever Final Four, progressing to the 2017 national championship game. However, they lost to North Carolina, despite leading 35-32 at halftime.
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Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary's rivalry
Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, and Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, California, have one of the most intense college basketball rivalries on the West Coast. Known as the "Zags", Gonzaga University's basketball team has been a major force in the sport since the mid-1990s, appearing in every NCAA tournament since 1999 and reaching the Final Four in 2017 and 2021. They have also won 20 out of the last 26 conference championship games.
Saint Mary's, meanwhile, has a strong basketball tradition of its own, with the Gaels and Zags combining to win 24 out of the last 26 conference championship games (by another account, 26 out of the last 30). Saint Mary's has upset a number-one-ranked Zags squad twice: in the 2019 WCC final as an unranked team, and again in 2022 when they were ranked 23rd.
The rivalry between the two colleges is so intense that many analysts consider it the best college basketball rivalry on the West Coast. Both teams have consistently been among the top three teams in the West Coast Conference over the last two decades. As of March 2025, the two teams had met 23 times in the WCC Tournament but had never met in any postseason tournaments beyond the end of conference play.
Gonzaga's most heated in-state rivalry is with Washington. They played a 10-year home-and-home series from 1997 to 2006 and agreed to continue the rivalry annually until at least the 2025–26 season.
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Gonzaga's 2020-21 season
Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball team has had a rich history in the sport, with the game being introduced at the university in 1905. Over the years, they have established themselves as a major basketball powerhouse, consistently appearing in NCAA tournaments and conference championship games.
The 2020-21 season was a historic and successful one for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. They finished the regular season with an impressive 26-0 record, being the final undefeated team in the country. This achievement earned them the number one seed in the tournament. They continued their winning streak in the tournament, cruising past Norfolk State, Oklahoma, Creighton, USC, and UCLA to reach the national championship game.
During this season, the Bulldogs displayed their dominance on the court, showcasing their strength as a program. Despite losing key players from the previous season, they still managed to secure a top-5 national ranking with a 31-2 record, including a 15-1 record in the WCC. Their victories included notable wins over Oregon, Washington, and Arizona, solidifying their reputation as the best team in the West.
The 2020-21 Bulldogs team featured standout players who contributed to their success. The team's overall record of 31-1, with a perfect 12-0 record at home and 7-0 on the road, highlighted their dominance. They scored a total of 2911 points while conceding only 2230 points, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive solidity.
However, their undefeated season came to an end in the national championship game, where they faced the Baylor Bears. Despite their best efforts, the Bulldogs lost to Baylor by a score of 86-70. This loss prevented them from claiming the national title, but it did not diminish the impressive achievements of the 2020-21 Gonzaga Bulldogs team throughout the season.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs' 2020-21 season will be remembered as one of the most successful and historic campaigns in the team's history. Their undefeated regular season, dominant performances, and deep tournament run solidified their place as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
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Gonzaga's performance in the NCAA Division I Tournament
Gonzaga has been to every NCAA tournament since 1999, appearing in all but one WCC conference title game since 1995 and winning 21 of them. In 1999, they made a Cinderella run to the Elite Eight. The 2016–17 season saw the Bulldogs advance to the Final Four for the first time, reaching the national championship game but losing to North Carolina.
The 2005–06 season saw Gonzaga junior Adam Morrison become the first player in team history to be named to the preseason Associated Press All-America team. The Bulldogs beat Xavier and Indiana Hoosiers to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2001. However, they ended their season with a loss to UCLA, finishing 29–4.
In the 2018 Maui Invitational Final, Gonzaga defeated Duke 89–87 for their first win over a number-one-ranked team in team history. The 2020–21 season was historic for the team, as they went 26–0 in the regular season and earned the number-one overall seed in the tournament. They advanced to the national championship game, but their undefeated season came to an end with an 86–70 loss to Baylor.
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Frequently asked questions
Gonzaga has won 26 regular-season WCC championships and 21 WCC tournament championships. They have made it to the NCAA Division I Tournament 25 times.
Yes, the Bulldogs have made it to the Final Four twice, in 2017 and 2021. They lost to North Carolina in 2017 and to Baylor in 2021.
They have combined to win 24 out of the last 26 conference championship games, with Gonzaga winning 20 of them.
