# 2026 WCC Tournament Championship: Gonzaga Bulldogs **URL:** \ **Category:** Game Preview/Recap\ **Created:** [March 10, 2026, 8:05am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124 "2026-03-10T08:05:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PattyMac](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/pattymac/32/15_2.png) [@PattyMac](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/PattyMac)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 8:05am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/1 "2026-03-10T08:05:20Z")
_ **Tip-off:** _ Tuesday, 6 pm in the Orleans Arena _ **TV:** _ ESPN (_prime time on the big one_) _ **Line:** _ Torvik: Broncos +4.6, 34% win probability; ESPN: Broncos +7.5, 16% win probability _ **Over/Under:** _ 157.5 _ **Torvik:** _ Broncos #28, Zags #12 (Broncos #28, Zags #23 over Last 10 Games) This game tonight may not be as important as last night in terms of getting the Tournament monkey off Santa Clara’s proverbial back. But I think the emotions are arguably just as high. SCU should be in the Tournament. But this is almost certain to be the last tilt against the Zags for the foreseeable future. They may schedule SMC going forward and run off nostalgia for a few years, but it’s all but certain that the Zags and Broncos will not be meeting as equals for a few years to come. This is the first conference tournament championship appearance in almost a generation, the last coming all the way in 2007 when yours truly entered high school and right around when SCU’s frosh class was born. And this is the game that can turn “really should be in” into “buy the plane tickets now.” And this: Tonight, if you want to see it, there’s a glimmer of a fight for college sports between where it should be and where it’s headed. Gonzaga, no longer a Cinderella, is the imperial force standing in the way of one. Gonzaga is a team of highly paid mercenaries: the one-time MWC Preseason POY poached from Wyoming, a PG who logged time in the best pro league in Spain, a 26-year old who, setting real health triumphs aside, is on his fifth college over 7 seasons. Here’s where the teams’ respective players come from: | GU Player | Prior Schools | SCU Player | Prior Schools | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mario Saint-Supery | Basquet Manresa (Spanish Pro Team) | Elijah Mahi | West Valley CC | | Braeden Smith | Colgate | Brenton Knapper | None | | Steele Venters | Eastern Washington | Bukky Oboye | None | | Adam Miller | Illinois, LSU, Arizona State | “Sash” Gavalyugov | Villanova | | Tyon Grant-Foster | Indian Hills CC, Kansas, DePaul, Grand Canyon | KJ Cochran | None | | Ismaila Diagne | None | Thierry Darlan | G-League Ignite / Delaware Blue Coats | | Davis Fogle | None | Allen Graves | None | | Emmanuel Innocenti | Tarleton State | Jake Ensminger | None | | Jalen Warley | Virginia, Florida State | Christian Hammond | None | | Graham Ike | Wyoming | Francis Chukwudebelu | None | Now there are no pure avatars in sports ever. Santa Clara spends big money on its program and has gotten some of its biggest recent stars from the transfer portal. Santa Clara has to live in the dog-eat-dog of the college basketball landscape too. But tonight, if you so choose, you can see a bit of the WCC’s — and really all of college basketball’s — soul up for grabs. Gonzaga is the Anakin-turned-Darth Vader of college basketball, an incredible underdog story that ends (so far) with the protagonist becoming what it was always fighting against. The Zags are a mercenary team built of mercenaries, who spent the last decade extracting more and more from the WCC until finally tossing it to the side in favor of a dalliance with the reanimated corpse of the Conference of Champions. The Zags built a payment structure that suited them, a tournament bracket that suited them, blocked their fellow PNW Jesuit school from joining the conference for 10 years, and then decided to take their talents to Logan, UT anyways. Santa Clara is not a pure hero, exactly—the Thierry Darlan of it all forecloses that possibility as defensible as his story is versus the other G-League to NCAA examples. But this is _ **our** _ team. Only three players have played even a minute at other schools: Mahi at a community college 15 minutes from SCU’s campus, Gavalyugov for just a handful of minutes at Villanova before coming West for redemption, and, yes, Darlan who was committed to Santa Clara before being pushed to a now-defunct pro development experiment. Knapper will finish a five-year career as a Bronco. Ensminger seems on track to do the same. Graves, Cochran, Chukwudebelu, and Hammond are all highly rated guys who bought into the belief that Santa Clara was their best opportunity to prepare for whatever came next. The first Tournament bid in 30 years is locked (probably). But Santa Clara can still win one more game to guarantee it’s post-season future, claim the crown for a true WCC team, and give the sport the narrative it needs: that there’s a possibility for success that isn’t built on mercenary squads, _realpolitik_, and the pernicious vagaries of conference realignment. Beat the Zags and, truly, all they stand for. Go Broncos! ---
**Author:** ![getnashty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/getnashty/32/1253_2.png) [@getnashty](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/getnashty)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/2 "2026-03-10T16:07:17Z")
Our Broncos have a chance to not only win the WCC tournament for the first time since the ‘90s, but even more historically: 1. A win would be #27 on the year, tying the 1968-69 Awtrey/Ogden team that went 27-2 and finished No. 3 in the AP Poll. Any more wins this year are going to be damn hard to get. 2. Beat back-to-back AP Poll ranked opponents for the first since… the 1952 NCAA Tournament (#19 UCLA, then #16 Wyoming on March 21-22, 1952).\* It wasn’t back to back (there was a loss to Duke and a few other games in between) but Siefert may remember beating BYU and Providence, both ranked, in quick succession in 1972-73. What a joy to have some modern positive things happening connective to this rich history. My nervous-nelly self says tonights priorities are: 1. Avoid injuries. 2. Don’t back-trade the positive goodwill we accumulated last night by getting blown out. 3. Win. Based on Sash’s comment last night that his goal is to win the NCAA Tournament, I think our feisty Broncos are focused on #3. ---
**Author:** ![Midwestbronco14](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/midwestbronco14/32/34_2.png) [@Midwestbronco14](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Midwestbronco14)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/3 "2026-03-10T16:23:55Z")
The last 2 weeks or so we’ve seen flashes of brilliance but plenty of really tight nervy play. In Jan/feb we were blowing out some WCC opponents and games have been getting narrower in recent weeks. I blame the FT shooting on that last night. I hope, win or lose, this team enjoys playing basketball tonight and lets it fly for the first time in awhile. ---
**Author:** ![kevind716](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/65b543/32.png) [@kevind716](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/kevind716)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 4:55pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/4 "2026-03-10T16:55:29Z")
Still a lot to play for. There’s still some brackets that were posted this morning that still have us in the first four. Much to my annoyance, even though I shouldn’t be that surprised. Winning tonight would ensure we can’t be in the first four. ---
**Author:** ![Friarfan](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/friarfan/32/1173_2.png) [@Friarfan](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Friarfan)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 5:09pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/5 "2026-03-10T17:09:14Z")
The Herbivore is shining on the big stage ---
**Author:** ![SiefertRising](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@SiefertRising](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/SiefertRising)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2026, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/6 "2026-03-10T17:47:35Z")
Hey Nashty, I do remember the BYU and Providence wins in 72-73. The BYU win was the second of a two-game split to open the season in Utah. The Providence win I recall being in the Cable Car Classic at the Cow Palace. Providence had a couple of guys that later played in the NBA to varying success, Ernie DiGreggorio, a diminutive but crafty clutch point guard and Marvin “Bad News” Barnes, their stud post player. Providence was ranked 14 at the time. Big game for SCU. The win pushed us into the rankings for the only time that season at number 20. ---
**Author:** ![getnashty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/getnashty/32/1253_2.png) [@getnashty](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/getnashty)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/7 "2026-03-11T00:48:21Z")
Must be quiet in here because you’re all at the game!!! House money tonight - play loose and confident and who knows what could happen. A chance to go from a 2007 caliber team (very strong but no cigar) to legendary with a win… though an at-large bid with a loss, breaking a terrible streak, trends this team toward the legendary. Nonetheless, we’ve been discussing a Leavey refresh. A new banner would be a great start. Siefert - thanks for the memories - that was a Final 4 Providence squad that we knocked off back then. I hope Mike Stewart and many other are tuning in wherever they are. So many talented, hardworking Bronco teams have not gotten to the Tournament. My mind turns to Brownridge, Foster, Bryant, Angley - we just couldn’t get hot in the right games in March. Go Broncos - how fun to be creating some new March memories. I mentioned to a buddy that this year would break a 30 NCAA tournament drought… he said “Really? I figured y’all were in the tournament more frequently considering how passionate the SCU alumni I know are about basketball.” We’ve willed it into existence - let’s put the cherry on top. ---
**Author:** ![92bronc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/898d66/32.png) [@92bronc](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/92bronc)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/8 "2026-03-11T00:48:30Z")
Hope the Broncos summon the energy and don’t have an emotional (or literal) hangover. Both Ike and Grant-Foster torched us last time around. We’ll see if we change up our strategy this time around. I’d like to see us collapse on Ike and force someone else to beat us; Miller and Saint-Supery are OK 3pt shooters but as a whole GU does not shoot the 3 well, nor rely much on it…….so collapse in the key, cut off drives, help on all their slashers and dare them to beat us from 3. And our wings (Jake, Mahi, Darlan) are going to have to do a better job on Grant-Foster and GU’s other long, athletic wings. ---
**Author:** ![bettererer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@bettererer](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/bettererer)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/9 "2026-03-11T00:55:50Z")
FriarFan=Noob Version 22.0 ---
**Author:** ![PattyMac](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/pattymac/32/15_2.png) [@PattyMac](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/PattyMac)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/10 "2026-03-11T01:09:02Z")
Not the case. I know the signs. Worry not. ---
**Author:** ![getnashty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/getnashty/32/1253_2.png) [@getnashty](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/getnashty)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:19am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/11 "2026-03-11T01:19:45Z")
Great start boys!! Some fouls, but otherwise really solid stuff. Not the tight team of last night’s first half… ---
**Author:** ![Midwestbronco14](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/midwestbronco14/32/34_2.png) [@Midwestbronco14](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Midwestbronco14)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:31am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/12 "2026-03-11T01:31:51Z")
Too much sash, don’t need hero ball this early ---
**Author:** ![BuckyBronco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f08c70/32.png) [@BuckyBronco](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/BuckyBronco)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/13 "2026-03-11T01:33:15Z")
Lost defensive Mojo with Cochran in. Farnham’s comment nailed it ---
**Author:** ![getnashty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/getnashty/32/1253_2.png) [@getnashty](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/getnashty)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:37am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/14 "2026-03-11T01:37:53Z")
Probably can’t just dribble it out of bounds fellas… ---
**Author:** ![BuckyBronco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f08c70/32.png) [@BuckyBronco](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/BuckyBronco)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:38am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/15 "2026-03-11T01:38:57Z")
Mental errors and sloppy play are killing us ---
**Author:** ![JM1996](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JM1996](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/JM1996)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/16 "2026-03-11T01:39:01Z")
Seniors have got to be better! ---
**Author:** ![Dualthreat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Dualthreat](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Dualthreat)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:41am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/17 "2026-03-11T01:41:03Z")
We are getting sloppy. Turnovers. Reach ins. Graves having a phenomenal game. The hustle, the rebounds, the defense, the sharp shooting 3s. ---
**Author:** ![Midwestbronco14](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/midwestbronco14/32/34_2.png) [@Midwestbronco14](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/Midwestbronco14)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:41am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/18 "2026-03-11T01:41:34Z")
Dreadful run when Kochran and darlan were on the floor at the same time. We got to be a little tighter with these lineups ---
**Author:** ![getnashty](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/getnashty/32/1253_2.png) [@getnashty](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/getnashty)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:49am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/19 "2026-03-11T01:49:06Z")
I don’t think my drywall can handle any more Bukky 3s this season. ---
**Author:** ![PattyMac](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.wakeupswig.com/pattymac/32/15_2.png) [@PattyMac](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/u/PattyMac)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124/20 "2026-03-11T01:57:44Z")
Graves is doing a heroic job on defense and rebounding. [Next page](https://forum.wakeupswig.com/t/2026-wcc-tournament-championship-gonzaga-bulldogs/1124.md?page=2)