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The Gonzaga Bulldogs are an intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Gonzaga University. The team has enjoyed success over the years, with a strong basketball tradition and a history of producing notable players. In 2024, Gonzaga announced that it would be joining the Pac-12 Conference, adding to its athletic reputation and marking a new chapter in the conference's expansion history. Prior to this, the Gonzaga Bulldogs competed in the West Coast Conference (WCC) in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team has achieved notable accomplishments in the WCC, including multiple conference championships and a strong record in both conference and non-conference games.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the basketball team | Gonzaga Bulldogs |
| University | Gonzaga University |
| Conference | West Coast Conference (WCC) |
| Division | Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) |
| Home ground | McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, Washington |
| Rivalries | Saint Mary's, Washington, Brigham Young University (BYU) |
| WCC Player of the Year awards | 15 |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 15 (Women's Basketball) |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | Every year since 1999 (Men's Basketball) |
| WCC Tournament wins | 22 |
| Pac-12 Conference | Joining in 2026 |
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What You'll Learn
Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball history
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are an intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Gonzaga University. The school competes in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and has been part of the West Coast Conference (WCC). However, in October 2024, Gonzaga announced its move to the new Pac-12 Conference, commencing in 2026. This shift is expected to elevate the conference's athletic prestige, particularly in basketball.
Gonzaga introduced its basketball program during the 1907-08 season, though it was not official. Under coach George M. Varnell, they achieved a 9-2 record. Varnell continued as the first official coach for the 1908-09 season, earning a 10-2 record. The team's early success continued under subsequent coaches William Mulligan and Frank McKevitt, who led the team to impressive records in their respective seasons.
Over the years, the Bulldogs have had notable players such as Frank Burgess and Adam Morrison, who led the nation in scoring during their time at Gonzaga. The team has also had a strong run in various tournaments, including the NCAA tournament, which they have attended every year since 1999. They have also consistently been a top team in their conference, with a strong rivalry against Saint Mary's, another prominent team in the WCC.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs play their home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington, on the university campus. The arena has been witness to many of the team's accomplishments, including their regular-season titles and WCC tournament wins. The team has also had success in the Battle in Seattle, an annual event that has showcased some memorable moments in Gonzaga's basketball history.
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West Coast Conference
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are an intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Gonzaga University. The school competes in the West Coast Conference (WCC) in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The West Coast Conference was known as the California Basketball Association from 1952 to 1956 and then as the West Coast Athletic Conference until 1989. It is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with NCAA Division I and consists of nine member schools across California, Oregon, and Washington. All current full members are private, faith-based institutions. Seven members are Catholic Church affiliates, with four being Jesuit institutions.
The WCC sponsors championship competition in seven men's and nine women's NCAA-sanctioned sports, with the newest addition being men's water polo in 2023-24. The conference's member schools include Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount, Pacific, Pepperdine, Portland, Saint Mary's, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Clara.
Gonzaga has been a dominant force in the WCC, winning 15 WCC Player of the Year awards and leading the nation in scoring on two occasions. They have appeared in every NCAA tournament since 1999 and have a long-standing rivalry with fellow WCC member Saint Mary's, with both teams consistently being the top two in the conference over the last two decades.
However, it is worth noting that as of October 1, 2024, Gonzaga announced its departure from the WCC to join the Pac-12 Conference as a full member, effective July 1, 2026.
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Pac-12 Conference
The Pac-12 Conference is a collegiate athletic conference in the Western United States. It was founded in 1959 as the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU) and was previously known as the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC). The Pac-12 currently has two full-member institutions: Oregon State University and Washington State University.
The conference participates at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I level for all sports, and its football teams compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of NCAA football competition.
In October 2024, it was announced that Gonzaga University would be joining the Pac-12 Conference as a full member, effective July 1, 2026. Gonzaga's basketball excellence is expected to amplify the athletic and football prowess of the New Era Pac-12. The addition of Gonzaga provides a boost to the league's men's basketball reputation, with the university having a history of success in the sport, including a run to the National Championship in 2021.
The Pac-12 Conference has a rich tradition of excellence in both academics and athletics and is nicknamed the "Conference of Champions". It has won more NCAA national championships in team sports than any other conference in history, with Washington's national title in women's rowing in 2017 being the 500th championship won by a Pac-12 school.
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Gonzaga's basketball rivalries
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are an intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Gonzaga University. The team competes in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and has been part of the West Coast Conference (WCC) since the mid-1990s.
Gonzaga has enjoyed tremendous success in the WCC, winning 20 of the last 26 conference championship games (as of 2025). This has helped establish some intense rivalries with fellow WCC teams.
Saint Mary's Gaels
The rivalry between the Bulldogs and the Saint Mary's Gaels is widely considered one of the best college basketball rivalries on the West Coast, if not the best. The two teams have consistently been the top two teams in the WCC over the last two decades, combining to win 24 out of the last 26 conference championship games (as of 2025). They have met a total of 116 times since 1955 and currently play each other twice a year as part of WCC conference play. The rivalry has intensified in recent years, with the two teams splitting the last four matchups.
Washington Huskies
Gonzaga's most heated in-state rivalry is with the Washington Huskies. The two teams played a 10-year home-and-home series from 1997 to 2006 and renewed their rivalry in 2015, agreeing to play each other annually until at least the 2025-26 season. The Huskies currently lead the series 30-20.
Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougars
Gonzaga and BYU first played each other in 1949, with Gonzaga winning a close game, 46-41. They did not meet again until 2011, when BYU defeated Gonzaga in the third round of the NCAA tournament to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. BYU then joined the WCC for the 2011-2012 season, intensifying the rivalry.
In October 2024, Gonzaga announced that it would be leaving the WCC to join the new Pac-12 Conference, commencing in 2026. This move will likely lead to renewed rivalries with other Pac-12 members, such as Washington State (Wazzu) and the BYU Cougars.
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Notable Gonzaga basketball players
Gonzaga University, home to the Gonzaga Bulldogs, has a rich history in basketball. The team has consistently been one of the premier intercollegiate programmes in the country, with a slew of players going on to notable NBA careers. The Bulldogs have enjoyed success in the West Coast Conference (WCC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), winning 20 of the last 26 conference championship games. They have appeared in every NCAA tournament since 1999 and every final AP poll since the 2008-09 season.
Gonzaga's basketball programme has produced many notable players over the years, with some going on to have impressive NBA careers. Here are some of the most notable Gonzaga basketball players:
John Stockton is arguably one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. Known for his precise passing and all-time assists record, Stockton was a maestro on the court. Despite being undersized and not a great athlete, his tenacity, court vision, and intelligence made him an exceptional defensive player, as evidenced by his numerous steals.
Kelly Olynyk is known for his versatility and sharp shooting. He honed these skills during his time at Gonzaga, and they have made him a valuable asset in the NBA.
Domantas Sabonis, the son of legendary Lithuanian basketball player Arvydas Sabonis, continued the family tradition of excellence. As a power forward and centre, he showcased tremendous skill and a high basketball IQ. Sabonis excelled in the low post, with a remarkable ability to finish around the basket and rebound. His court vision and passing skills for a big man made him a versatile and effective player, earning him Second Team All-WCC honours and a spot on the WCC All-Tournament Team in 2016.
Adam Morrison is one of the most celebrated players in Gonzaga's history. A scoring machine, Morrison led the nation in scoring during the 2005-06 season with 28.1 points per game. He was named Co-National Player of the Year and is remembered for his game-winning shot against Oklahoma State in the 2005 Battle in Seattle.
Jalen Suggs is another standout player who led Gonzaga to the final game of the NCAA Tournament. His clutch performances and athleticism helped him transition quickly to a promising NBA career.
Other notable Gonzaga basketball players include Frank Burgess, who led the nation in scoring in 1961 with 32.4 points per game, as well as J.P. Batista, Gary Bell Jr., Aaron Cook Jr., William S. Higgins, Zach Norvell Jr., and many others who have contributed to the team's success.
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Frequently asked questions
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are in the West Coast Conference (WCC) Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
As of March 12, 2025, Gonzaga has won the WCC Tournament 22 times, including 20 times under Mark Few.
As of February 6, 2020, Gonzaga's record in conference games was 116-7.
Gonzaga announced that it had joined the Pac-12 Conference in October 2024, with competition beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
Gonzaga plays its home basketball games at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington.
