Chet Holmgren, No. 1 Gonzaga Lose to No. 23 Saint Mary's in WCC Upset
Feb 27, 2022
Saint Mary's center Mitchell Saxen (10) celebrates with forward Kyle Bowen (14) after scoring next to Gonzaga guard Rasir Bolton during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Moraga, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
For the first time since 2019, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have lost to the Saint Mary's Gaels.
The No. 23 Gaels dominated the No. 1 Bulldogs from start to finish Saturday at University Credit Union Pavilion for a 67-57 win. Saint Mary's improved to 24-6 with the victory, while Gonzaga dropped to 24-3.
Gonzaga entered Saturday's game having not lost since a 91-82 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide on Dec. 4. This weekend's upset could affect their ranking in the Associated Press' Top 25 poll.
Both Chet Holmgren and Drew Timme had underwhelming performances for the Bulldogs. Holmgren finished with six points, six rebounds and one assist while shooting 3-of-7 from the floor.
Timme, meanwhile, had one of his worst games of the season as he finished with six points, eight rebounds and two assists on 2-of-10 shooting from the floor. If the duo had played even slightly better, things could have turned out differently on Saturday night.
As a team, the Bulldogs struggled on offense, shooting just 36.7 percent from the floor. In addition, they turned the ball over 14 times.
As for Saint Mary's, Tommy Kuhse and Matthias Tass combined for 27 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Performances off the bench from Mitchell Saxen and Jabe Mullins were also critical in the Gaels' victory.
With the Gaels' upset of Gonzaga, every team ranked in the top six of the AP Top 25 lost on Saturday. It is the first time ever that the top six ranked teams all lost in the same day.
Gonzaga, Auburn Among No. 1 Seeds in 2022 NCAA Tournament Bracket Preview
Feb 19, 2022
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - FEBRUARY 08: Head Coach Bruce Pearl of the Auburn Tigers yells to his team during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on February 08, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 80-76. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
One month away from the start of the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Gonzaga is in the driver's seat for the No. 1 overall seed.
The NCAA selection committee unveiled the top 16 seeds in the standings Saturday. The Bulldogs, who are currently ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 and Coaches Poll, are sitting at the top of the group and projected to be in the West Region.
Auburn (Midwest), Arizona (South) and Kansas (East) would also be No. 1 seeds in the tournament if it started today.
Baylor is the next team in line for a No. 1 seed. The Bears were given the No. 2 seed in the south region behind Arizona. Kentucky, Purdue and Duke rounded out the teams on the two line.
Villanova (East), Texas Tech (Midwest), Tennessee (South) and Illinois (West) are the current No. 3 seeds. The No. 4 seeds are Wisconsin (East), UCLA (Midwest), Providence (South) and Texas (West).
Selection committee chair Tom Burnett said on CBS the gap between Gonzaga, Auburn and Arizona at the top is "razor thin"
Gonzaga, which has spent five weeks ranked No. 1 in the AP poll this season, has won 15 consecutive games since a 91-82 loss to Alabama on Dec. 4. Head coach Mark Few's team was the top overall seed last year after going 26-0 before the NCAA tournament.
The Bulldogs made it all the way to the championship game before losing to Baylor. They currently lead the nation in points per game (89.9) and rank second in offensive rating (120.2) and third in defensive rating (86.2), per Sports Reference.
Expectations were modest for Auburn coming into the season, as the team hadn't made the NCAA tournament since 2019, when it lost to Virginia in the Final Four.
The Tigers were ranked No. 22 in the AP preseason poll and kept steadily rising before finally moving into the top spot on Jan. 24. They stayed there for a total of three weeks before an 80-76 overtime loss at Arkansas on Feb. 8.
Auburn has responded with blowout wins over Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, with a road game against Florida looming Saturday night.
Arizona is seeking its first No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament since the 2013-14 season. The program hasn't made the tournament since 2017-18.
In their first season under head coach Tommy Lloyd, the Wildcats have been one of the best teams in the nation. They are 23-2 overall with a top-10 offense and defense by rating and have won seven straight games since a 75-59 loss at UCLA on Jan. 25.
Kansas was able to get on the one line despite losing two of its past six games, including an 80-62 blowout defeat at home against Kentucky on Jan. 29.
There are going to be plenty of shakeups before the field of 68 is unveiled on March 13. Conference tournaments are set to begin as soon as Feb. 28. The last No. 1 overall seed to win the NCAA championship was Louisville in 2013, though that title was later vacated as part of the fallout from the bribery scandal.
John Stockton's Gonzaga CBB Season Tickets Suspended After Refusing to Wear Mask
Jan 23, 2022
Gonzaga's John Stockton speaks to the media during a news conference, Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. Stockton was one of eight people inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame Sunday. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Former Gonzaga and Utah Jazz star John Stockton had his season tickets to Bulldogs games suspended after he failed to comply with the school's mask mandates, per Theo Lawson of The Spokesman-Review.
"Basically, it came down to, they were asking me to wear a mask to the games and being a public figure, someone a little bit more visible, I stuck out in the crowd a little bit," Stockton said. "And therefore they received complaints and felt like from whatever the higher-ups—those weren't discussed, but from whatever it was higher up—they were going to have to either ask me to wear a mask or they were going to suspend my tickets."
Gonzaga released the following statement regarding the situation:
Gonzaga University continues to work hard to implement and enforce the health and safety protocols mandated by the State and by University policy, including reinforcing the indoor masking requirement. Attendees at basketball games are required to wear face masks at all times. We will not speak to specific actions taken with any specific individuals. We take enforcement of COVID-19 health and safety protocols seriously and will continue to evaluate how we can best mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19 with appropriate measures. The recent decision to suspend concessions in McCarthey Athletic Center is an example of this approach. Gonzaga University places the highest priority on protecting the health and safety of students, employees and the community.
Stockton, who is anti-vaccination and opposes mask mandates, made a number of false claims in a documentary last year, COVID and the Vaccine: Truth, Lies and Misconceptions Revealed, including that over 100 athletes have died from vaccination.
"I think it's highly recorded now, there’s 150 I believe now, it’s over 100 professional athletes dead—professional athletes—the prime of their life, dropping dead that are vaccinated, right on the pitch, right on the field, right on the court," he claimed.
However, Reuters fact-checked and disproved the online claim that Stockton cited, finding that among the number of deaths reported, several were from coaches and that while many of those deaths "were linked in news reports to heart issues, there is no current evidence that they prove a common link between COVID-19 vaccines and fatality."
Stockton, 59, spent four years at Gonzaga (1980-84) before having a Hall of Fame career with the Jazz. He holds the NBA record for career steals (3,265) and assists (15,806).
No. 5 Gonzaga vs. Washington Canceled Due to Huskies' COVID-19 Issues
Dec 9, 2021
SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 15: Washington Huskies huddle during a college basketball game between the Texas Southern Tigers and the Washington Huskies on November 15, 2021, at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Gonzaga's game against Washington scheduled for Sunday has been canceled due to COVID-19 issues with the Huskies, per The Associated Press.
While the game will not be made up this season, the two schools are working on setting up a matchup next season.
This is the third straight postponement or cancellation for the Huskies, who have been dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak that began last week. Washington's game against Arizona was postponed until January, and a matchup against UCLA was canceled and ruled a forfeit.
Washington head coach Mike Hopkins said earlier this week that several players had been placed into quarantine, per the AP. However, he did not specify exactly how many members are in isolation.
The Huskies are 4-5 this season. Their next matchup isn't until Dec. 18 against Seattle.
Gonzaga, ranked No. 5 in the nation, is 7-2 this year. It faces Merrimack College on Thursday night.
Paolo Banchero, No. 5 Duke Upset Chet Holmgren, No. 1 Gonzaga 84-81
Nov 27, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 26: Paolo Banchero #5 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts near the end of their game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the Continental Tire Challenge at T-Mobile Arena on November 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
Paolo Banchero scored 21 points
Saturday night to pace No. 5 Duke in an 84-81 victory over No. 1
Gonzaga in the 2021 Continental Tire Challenge at T-Mobile Arena in
Las Vegas.
Wendell Moore Jr. added 20 points, six
rebounds, six assists and four steals for the Blue Devils, who
improved to 7-0 on the 2021-22 season. Mark Williams chipped in 17
points and nine boards.
"This was a really big-time game,"
Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski told reporters. "What a great crowd."
Julian Strawther (20 points), Drew
Timme (17), Chet Holmgren (16) and Rasir Bolton (15) all scored in
double figures for the Zags, but it wasn't enough to prevent their
first loss of the campaign as they fell to 6-1.
Saturday's early-season clash of
national championship contenders lived up to the hype with a
back-and-forth battle that went right down to the wire.
The key sequence came when a Jeremy
Roach layup gave Duke a three-point lead with 42 seconds remaining
and Gonzaga failed to score on the ensuing possession. A subsequent
pair of Moore free throws extended the advantage to five for the Blue
Devils, who held on for the minor upset.
"It felt like a Final Four-type
game," Timme told reporters. "The atmosphere was great, and
it was two Goliaths going at it."
Gonzaga head coach Mark Few gave credit
to Duke not only for Saturday's win but also for Krzyzewski's work
creating a program that's one of the nation's gold standards. Coach K
is set to retire at season's end.
"We've always asked over the years
before we've had to make decisions on anything—how we travel, how
we operate, how we schedule, facility-wise—the first question
always is, 'What's Duke doing?'" Few said. "I don't think
I can pay any higher respect than that."
The Bulldogs finished the game with
more fouls (24-15), which helped Duke hold an eight-point edge from
the free-throw line, and more than double the turnovers (17-8). Those
two categories were key in a game that wasn't decided until the final
minute.
It's the second top-10 win of the
campaign for the Blue Devils, who opened the season with a triumph
over No. 10 Kentucky on Nov. 9. They don't have another game against
a currently ranked opponent on their schedule as part of what's
shaping up as a down year for the ACC.
Next up for Duke is a visit to Value
City Arena on Tuesday to face off with Ohio State (4-2) as part of
the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga probably won't lose
its status as the title favorite despite the loss, as it already had
wins over No. 5 Texas and No. 2 UCLA under its belt.
The Zags return home to the McCarthey
Athletic Center to face off with Tarleton State (1-5) on Monday.
Chet Holmgren, Andrew Nembhard Dominant as No. 1 Gonzaga Crush No. 2 UCLA
Nov 24, 2021
LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 23: Gonzaga forward Chet Holmgren (34) flexes after a basket during the Empire Classic tournament college basketball game between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the UCLA Bruins on November 23, 2021, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
No. 1 Gonzaga improved to 6-0 with a 83-63 win over No. 2 UCLA on Tuesday. Andrew Nembhard led the way with 24 points as the Bulldogs won their 32nd straight regular season game.
Drew Timme added 18 points and eight rebounds and freshman sensation Chet Holmgren had 15 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
The game was a rematch of the Final Four overtime thriller between the Bulldogs and Bruins in the 2021 NCAA tournament, which Gonzaga won to earn its second national championship berth in program history.
Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 19 points and six rebounds to lead UCLA, which fell to 5-1.
The game also marked the return of legendary college basketball broadcaster Dick Vitale, who was calling his first game of the season after being diagnosed with cancer in October. The 82-year-old was understandably emotional in his return.
Dick Vitale was diagnosed with lymphoma last month and took a break for treatment
Vitale was gifted with Gonzaga and UCLA jerseys that said "Dickie V" and "Never Give Up" on the back.
Notable Player Stats
G Andrew Nembhard, Gonzaga: 24 points, 6 assists
F Drew Timme, Gonzaga: 18 points, 8 rebounds
F Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks
G Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA: 19 points, 6 rebounds
G Johnny Juzang, UCLA: 11 points
Gonzaga's High-Octane Offense Overpowers UCLA
The Bulldogs are known for playing at an incredibly high pace, and Tuesday's game was no different. Gonzaga established the tempo early on, and once the offense got rolling it was hard for the Bruins to keep up.
UCLA trailed 10-6, but the Bulldogs began pushing the ball and went on a 23-4 run to take a 33-10 lead. Gonzaga's offense was like a freight train going downhill, attacking the paint and kicking the ball out for open three-pointers.
Andrew Nembhard with two consecutive coast-to-coast layups, zooming right by UCLA defenders. It's getting ugly already. Gonzaga is up 33-10 on UCLA with 8:37 to play in the opening half.
The Bulldogs went into halftime leading 45-25. The efficient style of play helped them shoot 15-of-26 (57.7 percent) from the field and 6-of-12 from three-point range.
The pace slowed down a bit in the second half, but it didn't hurt Gonzaga's efficiency. The Bulldogs still shot at a high clip, converting on 54.2 percent of their shots.
Gonzaga looks even stronger than last year's team that advanced to the national title game. If the Bulldogs can keep imposing their will on offense, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them back in the championship game in 2022.
UCLA Fails to Recover from Poor Shot Selection
The Bruins fell into the trap of trying to play as fast as the Bulldogs, and that resulted in some terrible decision-making.
UCLA tried to get shots up without setting up its offense. With Holmgren patrolling the paint, Gonzaga's defense allowed the Bruins to get outside shots, but they failed to convert. They made just one of their nine three-point attempts in the first half and shot 11-of-41 (26.8 percent) overall.
Chet Holmgren already has three blocks. His length is a factor down low - no question.
The game slowed down in the second half, and UCLA was able to convert at a more efficient rate, shooting 13-of-28 (46.4 percent). But it was too little, too late. Gonzaga matched UCLA with 38 second-half points to secure the 20-point victory.
The Bruins are a better team than what they showed Tuesday night. They ran into an offensive juggernaut and played out of character. If UCLA wants to bounce back, it will have to get back to playing the way it usually does by making better decisions and shooting efficiently.
What's Next?
Gonzaga will be back in action in another ranked matchup Friday against No. 5 Duke in Las Vegas. UCLA will look to bounce back Saturday on the road against UNLV.
Drew Timme Drops 37 Points as No. 1 Gonzaga Beats No. 5 Texas; Holmgren Held to 2
Nov 14, 2021
Gonzaga forward Drew Timme (2) celebrates his basket against Texas during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Drew Timme posted a career-high 37 points on 15-of-19 shooting to lead the No. 1 Gonzaga men's basketball team to a 86-74 win over the No. 5 Texas Longhorns on Saturday from McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington.
Timme started the game with 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting in the first 4:15 of game action. He finished with 22 points by halftime as the Bulldogs led the Longhorns 47-27 at halftime.
He added 15 more points in the second half as the Bulldogs led the final 20 minutes by double digits the entire way.
Timme began the year as the Associated Press' lone unanimous selection for its All-American team as well as The Athletic's choice for the men's preseason player of the year.
Those picks are looking good through two games as Gonzaga looks for its first-ever national title.
It was an off-night for Gonzaga even-footer Chet Holmgren, who is a candidate to be called first on the next NBA draft night.
He finished with just two points on 1-of-3 shooting alongside five rebounds, two blocks and four fouls.
However, Holmgren started his collegiate career with a 14-point, 13-rebound, seven-block, six-assist night as the Bulldogs beat Dixie State 97-63. Evenings like Saturday should be few and far between as the talented big man traverses through this season.
For Texas, Timmy Allen led the way with 18 points.
Gonzaga will now host Alcorn State on Monday at 9 p.m. ET.
Mark Few Arrest Video Shows Gonzaga HC Refusing Field Sobriety Test
Oct 26, 2021
UNITED STATES - JUNE 9: Gonzaga University mens head basketball coach Mark Few testifies during the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing titled NCAA Athlete NIL Rights on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The hearing addressed federal legislative proposals to enable athletes participating in collegiate sports to monetize their name, image, and likeness, improve athlete health care, and enhance scholarship protections and academic outcomes. (Photo by Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Video was released of Gonzaga Bulldogs head men's basketball coach Mark Few's traffic stop in Idaho on Sept. 6 after he was seen driving erratically and speeding.
Nicholas K. Geranios of the Associated Press previously reported Few pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence on Oct. 20. On Tuesday, TMZ Sports shared the video that shows the coach refusing to take a field sobriety test, as well as putting his hands in his pockets and using his cell phone despite police officers telling him to stop.
Few said the field sobriety tests were "totally subjective" and pointed to previous injuries that prevented him from performing them.
He also said he swerved when driving because he was attempting to control his dogs in the car. Police eventually put Few in handcuffs and into the back of the squad car.
Few's Breathalyzer tests produced blood alcohol contents of .119 and a .120; the legal limit is .08.
Geranios reported Few was fined $1,000 and was ordered to perform 24 hours of community service. His driver's license is suspended until Nov. 5, and he must use an ignition interlock device to drive for the next year.
Few apologized in a statement he released on Sept. 7:
He is suspended for the No. 1 Bulldogs' season opener against Dixie State on Nov. 9, as well as for exhibition games against Eastern Oregon and Lewis-Clark State. He is expected to return for the Nov. 13 showdown against Texas.
Gonzaga HC Mark Few Fined, Sentenced to Community Service for DUI Arrest
Oct 20, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 09: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs speaks at a hearing on “NCAA Athlete NIL (name, image, and likeness) Rights” with the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Capitol Hill on June 09, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress hopes to pass legislation on NIL compensation at the federal level before it takes effect in several states across the country on July 1st. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Court documents revealed Gonzaga Bulldogs men's basketball coach Mark Few said he was "pleading guilty because I am guilty" during a Friday hearing regarding his misdemeanor driving under the influence charge in Idaho.
Nicholas K. Geranios of the Associated Press reported Few was sentenced to serve 24 hours of community service and fined $1,000. His driver's license is also suspended until Nov. 5, and he will need to use an ignition interlock device to drive for a year after that.
Few paid the fine instead of spending four days in jail.
As Geranios noted, the head coach was pulled over in Idaho on Sept. 6 after someone reported he was driving erratically while speeding.
According to the Coeur d'Alene Press, Few "exhibited several signs of intoxication" and "refused to complete field sobriety tests but provided breath samples."
His breath samples registered blood-alcohol concentrations of .119 and .120. The legal limit is .08.
"I have had a month to reflect on the regretful decisions I made on Sept. 6," Few said at the time. "I again offer my sincere apology and I remain committed to learning from this mistake."
Few is suspended for Gonzaga's exhibition games against Eastern Oregon on Oct. 31 and Lewis-Clark State on Nov. 5. He is also suspended for the season opener against Dixie State on Nov. 9 but is scheduled to return for the Nov. 13 matchup with Texas.
Gonzaga is ranked No. 1 in the country in the preseason Associated Press Top 25.
Mark Few to Be Suspended by Gonzaga for September DUI, Will Return Nov. 13
Oct 9, 2021
Gonzaga head coach Mark Few gestures against Creighton in the first half of a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Gonzaga has suspended head men's basketball coach Mark Few following his DUI arrest in September.
As first reported by Dana O'Neil of The Athletic, Few will be suspended for Saturday's Kraziness in the Kennel event, two exhibition games and the regular-season opener against Dixie State on Nov. 9.
Few will then return to the sidelines for the Bulldogs' second game of the season Nov. 13 when they host the Texas Longhorns.
Few released the following statement regarding his suspension:
Per O'Neil, Few was arrested near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, over Labor Day weekend after being pulled over for speeding and erratic driving. Few refused a field sobriety test, but he was later found to have had a blood-alcohol level of .119, which was above the legal limit of .08.
Few, 58, is preparing to enter his 23rd season as head coach of Gonzaga, and he has enjoyed a remarkable amount of success thus far.
In 755 regular-season games, Few has posted a 630-125 record, which is good for a winning percentage of .834.
The Zags have reached the NCAA tournament in each of the 21 seasons it has been held under Few, and they have won the West Coast Conference regular-season title 20 times and the WCC tournament 17 times.
Few, who is a two-time Naismith Coach of the Year and one-time AP Coach of the Year, has taken Gonzaga to the Final Four twice as well.
Last season, Gonzaga was a perfect 31-0 entering the National Championship Game against Baylor, but the Bulldogs fell to the Bears 86-70.
Gonzaga remains in search of an elusive national title, and it seems like it is only a matter of time before it happens, as Few consistently has the Zags in contention.
Some adjustments will be required during the 2021-22 season, though, as key contributors from last year's team in Corey Kispert, Jalen Suggs and Joel Ajayi are no longer on the roster.
