Gonzaga was going to be the third team in four years to go to the NCAA Tournament undefeated, following in the footsteps of Wichita State in 2014 and Kentucky in 2015. They were humming along nicely, obliterating every West Coast Conference foe until suddenly they didn't in a stunning home loss to BYU on the eve of the WCC tournament.
The loss, though untimely, isn't entirely damaging to the Bulldogs tournament resume. Most bracket projections still have Gonzaga as the top seed in the West region. If they suffer any kind of loss in the WCC Tournament, the questions will mount about whether Gonzaga will get the top seed, or if one of the elite teams of the Pac-12 will get it.
Gonzaga is not the only team in the WCC going to the NCAA Tournament. St. Mary's finished conference play with only two losses, both of which were to Gonzaga. Right now the Gaels are averaging a six seed, well above the at large cut line, but also in dangerous upset territory. It's unlikely their seed line will change much unless they lose early and teams below them pick up several good wins in their respective conference tournaments.
The tournament is going to take place on March 3rd, 4th, 6th, and 7th at the Orleans Arena in Paradise, Nevada. All ten teams of the conference will take part in the tournament, with the top six seeds getting a bye to the quarterfinals.
First Round-Friday, March 3rd
#9 Pacific vs. #8 Pepperdine
#10 Portland vs. #7 San Diego
Quarterfinals-Saturday, March 4th
#9 Pacific vs. #1 Gonzaga
#5 San Francisco vs. #4 Santa Clara
#7 San Diego vs. #2 Saint Mary's
#6 Loyola Marymount vs. #3 BYU
Semifinals-Monday, March 6th
#4 Santa Clara vs. #1 Gonzaga
#3 BYU vs. #2 Saint Mary's
Championship-Tuesday, March 7th
As tempting as it is to be bold and go for an upset, there is no legitimate reason to doubt Gonzaga in this tournament. Sure, they did drop a game to BYU, but to me that's more indicative of an off night than something damaging to the Bulldogs. BYU had to play an absolutely perfect game to knock off Gonzaga. It's too much to expect lightning to strike twice. Gonzaga will win and should get the top seed in the West Region.
Saint Mary's 60, Gonzaga 73
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