Ayrton Oneill
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are an intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Gonzaga University. The team has had a lot of success over the years, with 15 of its players receiving the WCC Player of the Year award and two players, Frank Burgess and Adam Morrison, leading the nation in scoring. The Bulldogs have competed in the West Coast Conference (WCC) in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and have won the WCC tournament 22 times. In 2024, Gonzaga accepted an invitation to join the Pac-12 Conference, boosting the league's reputation in men's basketball. The Bulldogs are set to join the Pac-12 in 2026, marking a new chapter in the conference's expansion history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | Gonzaga Bulldogs |
| Conference | West Coast Conference (WCC) |
| Division | Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) |
| Venue | McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, Washington |
| Number of WCC Player of the Year awards | 15 |
| Number of appearances in the WCC tournament | 22 |
| Number of WCC tournament wins | 21 |
| Number of consecutive 25-win seasons | 18 |
| Number of appearances in the NCAA Tournament | 25 |
| Number of appearances in the Final Four | 2 |
| Number of appearances in the National Championship game | 3 |
| Date of joining Pac-12 Conference | July 1, 2026 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball history
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are an intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Gonzaga University. The team was introduced during the 1907–08 basketball season under head coach George M. Varnell, though this season was not official. Varnell remained as coach for the team's first official season in 1908–09, earning a 10–2 record.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and are members of the West Coast Conference (WCC). The team plays their home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga has enjoyed considerable success in recent decades, establishing itself as a major basketball power in a mid-major conference since the mid-1990s. They have appeared in every NCAA tournament since 1999, advancing to the Elite Eight that year and reaching the Final Four in 2017 and 2021. The team has also produced two players who led the nation in scoring: Frank Burgess in 1961 with 32.4 points per game, and Adam Morrison in 2006 with 28.1 points per game. Morrison shared the National Player of the Year award for the 2005–06 season.
Gonzaga has had 15 players receive the WCC Player of the Year award and has appeared in every WCC conference title game since 1998, winning 21 of them. The team has also been consistently ranked in the final AP poll since the 2008–09 season. In 2018, the Bulldogs defeated Duke for their first win over a number-one ranked team in their history. The 2020–21 season was a historic one for the team, as they went 26–0 in the regular season and were the last undefeated team in the country. They earned the number one overall seed in the tournament and advanced to the national championship game.
In October 2024, it was announced that Gonzaga would be leaving the WCC to join the Pac-12 Conference, commencing in 2026. This move is expected to bolster the Pac-12's reputation in men's basketball and is part of a strategic expansion that includes several other universities.
The Evolution of Basketball: Lacrosse Roots
You may want to see also
Explore related products
West Coast Conference (WCC)
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) as part of the West Coast Conference (WCC). The Gonzaga Bulldogs play their home basketball games at McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington, on the university campus.
Gonzaga has had considerable success in the WCC, winning the WCC tournament 22 times, including 20 times under coach Mark Few. They have appeared in all but one WCC conference title game since 1995 and have been in every conference title game since 1998, winning 21 of them. The Bulldogs have also had 15 players receive the WCC Player of the Year award. Gonzaga has established itself as a major basketball power in a mid-major conference, appearing in every NCAA tournament since 1999 and every final AP poll since 2008-09.
The Bulldogs have a notable rivalry with fellow WCC team Saint Mary's. In 2025, Saint Mary's and Gonzaga earned the top two seeds in the West Coast Conference Basketball Championship. In the 2025 WCC tournament, Gonzaga avenged two regular-season losses to Saint Mary's, beating them 58-51 to secure the WCC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
While Gonzaga has historically been a powerhouse in the WCC, there were discussions in 2018 about the possibility of the team moving to a different conference. Ultimately, the athletic director at the time, Mike Roth, decided to remain in the WCC for the immediate future.
Kyrie Basketball Shoes: Do Kid Sizes Run Small?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Pac-12 Conference
The Pac-12 Conference is a collegiate athletic conference in the Western United States. It was founded on December 2, 1915, as the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) and was later renamed the Athletic Association of Western Universities (AAWU) in 1959. The conference has had several other names over the years, including Big Five, Big Six, Pacific-8, and Pacific-10, before finally becoming the Pac-12 in 2011 with the addition of Colorado and Utah.
The Pac-12 Conference currently has two full-member institutions: Oregon State University and Washington State University. Historically, the conference was divided into two divisions, the North Division and the South Division, for football only. In 2024, 10 of its 12 members departed, leaving the conference with just two members through the 2025-26 academic year. During this period, the Pac-12 is sponsoring five sports: football, men's and women's track and field, women's gymnastics, and men's wrestling.
However, the conference took steps to expand its membership starting in 2024. On September 12, 2024, the Pac-12 announced the addition of four new members: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State. On September 23, 2024, Utah State became the seventh member. Finally, on September 30, 2024, the conference announced that Gonzaga University would be joining as its eighth member, effective July 1, 2026. With these additions, the Pac-12 Conference will expand its geographic reach and enhance its reputation in both academics and athletics, particularly in basketball.
The Pac-12 Conference, nicknamed the “Conference of Champions,” has a rich history of success in NCAA championships across various sports. By 2017, Pac-12 schools had won over 500 NCAA championships, more than any other conference in history. This includes excellence in women's rowing, with Washington claiming the 500th championship for the conference in 2017. The conference and its members are committed to fostering both academic and athletic excellence, making it a desirable destination for institutions like Gonzaga University.
Hoop Dreams: ND Boys' Basketball Tournament
You may want to see also
Explore related products
NCAA Tournament appearances
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are an intercollegiate men's basketball programme representing Gonzaga University. The team has had a lot of success in the NCAA Tournament over the years, making it to the tournament every year since 1999 and appearing in every final AP poll since the 2008-09 season. They have also won the West Coast Conference (WCC) tournament 22 times, showcasing their dominance in their conference.
The Bulldogs have made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on multiple occasions, including a Cinderella run in 1999 that put them on the map as a basketball powerhouse. They have also appeared in the Final Four twice, in 2017 and 2021, losing to North Carolina and Baylor, respectively, in the National Championship game. The team has also consistently been ranked highly in national polls, with an active weekly poll streak of 143 weeks starting from the 2016-17 season.
In addition to their success in the NCAA Tournament, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have also established themselves as a dominant force in their conference, the WCC. They have appeared in all but one WCC conference title game since 1995 and have won 21 of them. The team has also had 15 players receive the WCC Player of the Year award, showcasing the individual talent on the team.
The Bulldogs have had several notable wins and achievements over the years. In 2018, they defeated Duke University, the number one ranked team in the country, for the first time in their history. They also went undefeated in the regular season in 2020-21, earning the number one overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. The team has also had success in the Battle in Seattle, an annual event that has been broadcast nationally on CBS Sports, with their biggest rivalry being with fellow WCC foe Saint Mary's.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have had a rich history of success in the NCAA Tournament and have established themselves as a major basketball power. With their consistent appearances in the tournament and their dominance in the WCC, the team has become a staple of college basketball excellence. The team's success has been built on a combination of talented players, strategic coaching, and a commitment to excellence in academics and athletics.
Best Basketball Shoes: Nike Air Max Infuriate 2 Low
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Gonzaga's basketball players
Gonzaga University's basketball team, the Bulldogs, has been a powerhouse in college basketball for many years. The team has competed in the West Coast Conference (WCC) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division I and has established itself as a major basketball force since the mid-1990s. The Bulldogs have an impressive record, with 15 of their players receiving the WCC Player of the Year award and two players, Frank Burgess and Adam Morrison, leading the nation in scoring during their respective eras. They have appeared in every NCAA tournament since 1999 and have had a significant impact on the sport, with a record of 21 conference title game wins since 1995.
The Bulldogs have a strong following, with sold-out crowds of over 16,000 fans attending their games and breaking state attendance records. Their biggest rivalry is with fellow WCC foe Saint Mary's, and they have achieved notable victories over top-ranked teams such as Duke. The team plays its home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington, where they have an impressive record of 223-15 overall, including a dominant 92% win rate in conference games.
Gonzaga's basketball program has produced many notable players who have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA and WNBA. Some of the well-known names include Richie Guerin, Rudy Tomjanovich, and NBA All-Stars John Stockton and Kyle Wiltjer. The university's basketball excellence has been recognised, and they will be joining the Pac-12 Conference starting in the 2026-27 academic year. This move will further elevate their athletic reputation and provide a boost to the league's men's basketball standing.
Basketball Shorts for Men: Styling Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Gonzaga University's basketball team, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, compete in the West Coast Conference (WCC) Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have been very successful, winning 22 WCC tournaments, including 20 under Mark Few. They have also appeared in all but one WCC conference title game since 1995, winning 21 of them. The team has also made it to the NCAA Tournament every year since 1999 and has appeared in every final AP poll since the 2008-09 season.
The Bulldogs play home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington, on the university campus.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs had an active weekly poll streak of 143 weeks, starting from the 2016-17 season and ending on January 15, 2024.
Yes, Gonzaga University has accepted an invitation to join the Pac-12 Conference, effective July 1, 2026. This move will see them leave the WCC and compete in a new conference for the 2026-27 academic year.
