The Gonzaga Bulldogs made an exciting hire in 1999 after promoting Mark Few as the head coach of the program. Not even Gonzaga knew what that kind of hire would do for the program down the line.
As we prepare to place our college basketball bets, here’s a look at the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ March Madness history through the last 25 years.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
There’s no team quite like the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Gonzaga hasn’t missed an NCAA Tournament since 1999. They’ve also appeared in the final AP Poll ever since the 2008-09 season.
Gonzaga built something crazy on the West Coast. They became a Power-Five team, but they don’t play in a Power-5 conference. This has ultimately allowed Gonzaga to just roll over its opponents in the West Coast Conference for 25 years.
The Bulldogs didn’t win the WCC this season and haven’t looked as good as in recent seasons, but they’ll still be in the NCAA Tournament for another season.
That said, let’s look at the greatest moments for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament over the last 25 years.
Mark Few’s Promotion in 1999
The Gonzaga Bulldogs hired Mark Few as head coach on July 26, 1999. In his first season as head coach, Few helped the Bulldogs to a 26-9 record, a WCC Tournament Championship, and a visit to the Sweet 16.
Few and the Zags added wins over Louisville and St. John’s in the Tournament, leaving many to believe that Gonzaga was on the rise.
Undefeated In 2003-04
In the 2003-04 season, the Gonzaga Bulldogs finished an undefeated season in the West Coast Conference. Gonzaga was a two-seed in the NAA Tournament after winning the WCC but was upset in the second round by Nevada, 91-72.
Still, the Bulldogs only lost three times that entire season.
Adam Morrison’s Emergence
Heading into the 2005-06 season, junior forward Adam Morrison became the first player in team history to be considered for the AP All-America team. Gonzaga was also ranked 7th heading into the NCAA season.
After winning the WCC, Gonzaga was a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Morrison and Gonzaga made it all the way to the Sweet 16 before losing to UCLA, 73-71, in a heartbreaker.
December 10, 2005: Adam Morrison banks in a game-winning three-pointer with 2.5 seconds left to lift Gonzaga (@ZagMBB) over Oklahoma State 64-62 in Seattle.
Gus Johnson and Bill Raftery on the call.
pic.twitter.com/6z1r7J1aDd— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) December 11, 2023
Finally, a #1 Seed In 2012-13
Despite Mark Few’s success with Gonzaga, it took him a dozen years to help it become the No. 1 team in the country. Gonzaga was awarded the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament but still didn’t make any noise in March Madness.
Back To The Elite Eight
Few and the Bulldogs made the Elite Eight in 1999 but didn’t see the Elite Eight again until 2014-15. Gonzaga eventually lost to Duke, who won the National Championship that year. But that team also set a school record for wins in a season with 35 that year.
The Championship Game!
After the 2014-15 season, Gonzaga struggled the next two seasons to do much of anything. However, the Zags were back on track in 2016-17.
The team won its first 29 games and set a new school record for consecutive games. They were a No. 1 seed in the tournament and actually advanced all the way to the NCAA Championship that season.
They added a new record with 37 wins in a season but couldn’t win the NCAA Championship.
Another Championship Game, But Another Loss
By 2020-21, the Bulldogs made it into another NCAA Championship. This time, it was against Baylor, where they lost 86-70 coming off a COVID year.
The seats weren’t fully filled and the atmosphere wasn’t the same. However, Gonzaga was beaten up by Baylor and never really had a chance in that game.
A Full Review
To this day, Gonzaga still hasn’t won a National Championship with Mark Few. But he’s developed this program into one of the most respected programs in college basketball. The Bulldogs are consistently in the NCAA Tournament, with a chance to compete for the National Title.
While Gonzaga has fallen short multiple times, they’ve also been inside the Championship Game twice with Few. Many coaches have never been to one. Plus, Gonzaga doesn’t have the facilities and NIL money like other teams do.
That could be the potential downfall for Gonzaga. But knowing Few, he’ll find a way to get Gonzaga in the best shape possible to be a contender moving forward.
Few has won over 90% of his games in the West Coast Conference and nearly 84% of games throughout his time at Gonzaga against every team. He’s also never finished below second place in the WCC throughout his entire time with Gonzaga. That’s also incredible.
He’s got a job at Gonzaga for life, and it’s well deserved. Hopefully, he can add a National Title to his resume before his tenure with Gonzaga concludes.
