Andrew Pace
The Gonzaga Bulldogs, also known as the Zags, are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, Washington. The Gonzaga basketball team competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as a member of the West Coast Conference. The team has played in 26 consecutive NCAA tournaments and achieved the #1 ranking in both major polls during the 2012-13 season. Notable alumni of the Gonzaga basketball team include Hall of Famer John Stockton, Rui Hachimura, Chet Holmgren, and many others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Gonzaga Bulldogs |
| Nicknames | Zags, Gonzos, Fighting Irish |
| University | Gonzaga University |
| Location | Spokane, Washington, United States |
| Division | Division I |
| Conference | West Coast Conference (WCC) |
| Mascot | Bulldog |
| Colours | Navy Blue, White & Red |
| Arena | McCarthey Athletic Center |
| Notable Alumni | John Stockton, Domantas Sabonis, Rui Hachimura, Chet Holmgren |
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What You'll Learn
- Gonzaga University's basketball team, the Bulldogs, compete in Division I
- The team's official mascot is a bulldog, but they're also known as the Zags
- The Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team plays home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center
- The team has a reputation as a consistently strong team in men's college basketball
- The Gonzaga Bulldogs will be moving to the Pac-12 Conference for all sports in 2026
Gonzaga University's basketball team, the Bulldogs, compete in Division I
The Bulldogs have established a reputation as a consistently strong team in men's college basketball, having played in 26 consecutive NCAA tournaments and achieving the number one ranking in both major polls during the 2012-13 season. They are considered one of the closest things to a major basketball power in a mid-major conference. The Bulldogs have a rich history in the sport, dating back to their time in the Northwest Conference from 1924 to 1925. They were a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1947 to 1958 before moving to the NCAA as an independent team.
Gonzaga's men's basketball team has achieved notable success in recent years. They play their home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center, where they opened the arena with a 100-game win streak, the longest in the NCAA at the time. The team has produced several notable alumni who have gone on to successful careers in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and other professional leagues.
The women's basketball team at Gonzaga University also competes at a high level. They have announced their 2025-26 nonconference schedule, which includes a game against South Dakota State in November 2025. The team has also recently added transfer commits, showcasing their continued recruitment efforts and commitment to building a strong program.
Gonzaga University's basketball teams have a strong presence in Spokane, Washington, and are well-known for their athletic achievements. Their move to Division I of the NCAA reflects their commitment to excellence in intercollegiate athletics.
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The team's official mascot is a bulldog, but they're also known as the Zags
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, Washington. While the official mascot of the team is a bulldog, the terms "Zags" and "Gonzos" are often used interchangeably by fans and the media.
The team's nickname was once the "Fighting Irish" in the 1910s to early 1920s, but this was changed in 1921 to the current "Bulldogs" moniker. The Gonzaga Bulldogs compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the West Coast Conference. The men's basketball team has been particularly successful, playing in 26 consecutive NCAA tournaments and achieving the #1 ranking in the 2012-13 season.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have a strong reputation in men's college basketball, consistently performing well and establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Their home games are played at the McCarthey Athletic Center, where they achieved a remarkable 100-game winning streak. Notable alumni of the Gonzaga basketball program include Hall of Famer John Stockton, Rui Hachimura, Chet Holmgren, and many other renowned players.
The term "Zags" has been embraced by fans and the media alike, becoming an integral part of the team's identity. While the official mascot remains the bulldog, the nickname "Zags" adds a unique and memorable element to the team's branding and culture. This dual identity with unofficial nicknames is not uncommon in sports, fostering a sense of community and enthusiasm among supporters.
As the Gonzaga Bulldogs continue to excel in men's college basketball, the nickname "Zags" will undoubtedly persist in the sports world, cheered on by dedicated fans and embraced by the media. The team's success and reputation have contributed to their recognition, with their unofficial nickname becoming just as prominent as their official mascot.
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The Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team plays home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center
The Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball team, also known as the Zags, represents Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, Washington. The team plays in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as part of the West Coast Conference (WCC).
The Bulldogs play their home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center (MAC), a 6,000-seat indoor arena located on the Gonzaga University campus. The arena opened in November 2004 and is nicknamed "The New Kennel," a reference to the team's former home, the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre, known as "The Kennel." The MAC has become the established basketball arena on campus, and fans have started calling it "The Kennel" as well, referring to its predecessor as the "Martin Centre."
The McCarthey Athletic Center is known for its energetic atmosphere, with the Bulldog Band, the Gonzaga Cheer Team, and the Bomb Squad (the dance team) all contributing to the excitement of game days. The arena has been the site of many notable wins for the Bulldogs, including a 100-game win streak that began when the arena opened in 2004 and was the longest in the NCAA at the time. The Zags have a remarkable home-court record at the MAC, with a 223-15 record as of February 2020.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have established themselves as a consistent force in men's college basketball, with 26 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and a #1 ranking in the 2012-13 season. The team has a rich history, with notable alumni including Hall of Famer John Stockton, Domantas Sabonis, Rui Hachimura, and many other accomplished players.
The McCarthey Athletic Center is not just a venue for basketball games but also hosts other events. It has served as a concert venue for artists like Death Cab for Cutie and Jay Sean and has featured performances by comedians such as Kevin Hart. The arena adds to the vibrant sports culture at Gonzaga University, which also boasts a strong boxing history and a renowned alumnus in legendary crooner and actor Bing Crosby, who has a museum dedicated to him on campus.
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The team has a reputation as a consistently strong team in men's college basketball
Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, Washington, has a strong basketball team called the Gonzaga Bulldogs, often referred to as the Zags. The team competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as part of the West Coast Conference (WCC). The Gonzaga Bulldogs have established a reputation as a consistently strong team in men's college basketball, having played in 26 consecutive NCAA tournaments and reaching the number one ranking in both major polls during the 2012-13 season.
The Bulldogs first introduced a basketball program during the 1907-08 season, and although it wasn't an official one, they achieved a record of 9-2 under head coach George M. Varnell. The following season, Varnell became the official coach and earned a 10-2 record. The team continued to perform well over the next few decades, with notable seasons including 1965-66 and 1966-67, where they won regular-season titles in the Big Sky Conference.
The Bulldogs have had consistent success in recent years as well, qualifying for their first postseason tournament, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), in the 1993-94 season. They have also had success in the WCC, winning both the regular season and tournament titles in recent years. In the 2018 Maui Invitational Final, the Zags defeated Duke for their first win over a number-one-ranked team in their history. The 2020-21 season was also historic, with the team going 26-0 in the regular season and earning the number one seed in the tournament.
The team's success can be attributed to various factors, including the coaching of Mark Few, who has an excellent ability to identify and develop talent. Few has been able to attract top-level recruits and international players, as well as develop players who may have been overlooked by other programs. The Bulldogs' consistent performance has solidified their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in men's college basketball.
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The Gonzaga Bulldogs will be moving to the Pac-12 Conference for all sports in 2026
The Gonzaga Bulldogs represent Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, Washington, in the United States. The university's athletic teams compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I as a member of the West Coast Conference (WCC).
Gonzaga has a strong reputation in men's college basketball, having played in 26 consecutive NCAA tournaments and achieving the #1 ranking in the 2012-13 season. The team has a 100-game win streak at home, the longest in the NCAA at the time. The women's basketball team, led by Head Coach Lisa Fortier, is also highly successful, with a school-record 32-4 season in 2023-24 and five appearances in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.
On October 1, 2024, Gonzaga announced its decision to move to the Pac-12 Conference for all sports, effective July 1, 2026. The Pac-12 Conference's Board of Directors and its five new member presidents unanimously approved the addition of Gonzaga University, citing its commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics. The Bulldogs' iconic basketball program is expected to boost the league's reputation in men's basketball and aligns with the Pac-12's dedication to building a prominent basketball conference.
The move to the Pac-12 Conference will see Gonzaga joining alongside other prestigious universities, including Boise State University, Colorado State University, and San Diego State University. This expansion strengthens the conference's national presence and enhances its athletic prestige, particularly in basketball. The Bulldogs' transition to the Pac-12 will undoubtedly reshape the competitive landscape of college basketball on the West Coast, as they headline one of the premier mid-major basketball leagues in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Gonzaga competes in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The Gonzaga intercollegiate athletic teams are nicknamed the "Bulldogs". Although the school's official mascot is a bulldog, fans and media also use "Zags" and "Gonzos" as alternate nicknames.
Gonzaga University is a member of the West Coast Conference. On October 1, 2024, Gonzaga announced that they would be moving to the Pac-12 Conference for all sports in 2026.
