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It seems to happen every year. Gonzaga makes some noise during the regular season and the tournament, but tends to fizzle out when it's needed.
I have nothing against the Zags. They are located in the birthplace of yours truly and did a Boise State-like ascension to the national stage. They also produced one of the most prolific point guards in NBA history, John Stockton. Before their ascension, that was what they were known for. Remember Adam Morrison tearing up after a tough loss to UCLA? That image put Gonzaga basketball on the map. The Zags have been a model of consistency when it comes to college basketball. Give coach Mark Few and his staff credit. They made Gonzaga into a destination for five-star high school recruits to take their talents to new heights. Few has made the program "The one-and-done" school. This is a strategy that Coach K had during his last few seasons at Duke. It has done wonders for Gonzaga.
Despite all of this, the Zags continue to fall short of the ultimate prize: the National Championship. I realize that they went undefeated a couple of years ago and made it all the way to the title game. Let's put this to rest, Gonzaga took advantage of a limited field due to the pandemic and made the title game, because of an insane game-winning shot by Jalen Suggs. Then, Baylor domination in said title game.
Once again, not trying to throw salt on the wound, but there are a couple of issues that jump out at me when it comes to Gonzaga's failed attempt to reach the brass ring.
One. THE WHOLE "ONE-AND-DONE" STRATEGY
It seems like an efficient way to get Gonzaga to greener pastures. The problem is that the strategy makes Gonzaga a pit stop for players heading to the NBA, instead of a place to develop blue-chip prospects for more than one year. Sure they have developed upperclassmen like Drew Timme and Adam Morrison to become legends, but when you have Chet Holmgren or Jalen Suggs and their only intention is to head to the league after one season, it makes this team vulnerable. They do recruit well enough to sustain success. Unfortunately, it does not make the Zags a go-to destination for five-star talent to stay longer than 365 days.
Two. THE WEST COAST CONFERENCE
Quickly, without looking at your phone, name three schools in the WCC other than Gonzaga and Saint Mary's. You have five seconds.......and GO! You can't think of any off the top of your head, right? And that is where the problem resides. Critics will point to this as to why the Zags have faltered in the big games. They will say that Gonzaga doesn't play competition at their level in their conference. I know what you are thinking, Gonzaga does schedule games against bigger schools at the beginning of the year to show the critics that they can run with the bigger dogs and defeat them. However, playing in the West Coast Conference does not do wonders for the Zags. The situation is simple: Move them and Saint Mary's to a bigger conference. Everyone else is doing it, why not them?
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have become a tiny basketball haven for the game of college basketball and for smaller schools in the country. The only way they can have validation is a National Championship triumph.
Until then, all we have is false hope.
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