Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Gonzaga Men Tie NCAA Record with 5th Exit as 1-Seed

  • The Bulldogs have reached two Final Fours, four Elite Eights, and 11 Sweet 16s — but haven’t won a title.
  • Top-scoring offense was shut down by Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

It’s another lost season for Mark Few’s Gonzaga.

On Thursday, the Bulldogs crashed out with a 74-68 defeat to Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen. Once again, the best team in the country by most metrics — and the overall top seed in the men’s tournament — hasn’t delivered the school its first national championship.

The defeat was Gonzaga’s fifth time entering the tournament as a 1-seed and failing to win a title — which ties Oklahoma for the most in NCAA history.

  • During Few’s 23 seasons at the helm, the Bulldogs have reached two Final Fours, four Elite Eights, and 11 Sweet 16s.
  • They were ranked No. 1 wire-to-wire in 2020-21 but were blown out by Baylor in their second-ever title game appearance.
  • Few hasn’t won a title despite the best career winning percentage (.836) among Division I coaches (min. 10 seasons).

Perhaps most shocking was Gonzaga’s lack of offense — the Bulldogs led the nation in scoring (87.2 PPG) behind projected NBA first-rounders Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren.

Timme scored a game-high 25 points but led the team with five turnovers, while Holmgren went scoreless in the first half and fouled out with 11 points.

Few still earns around $3 million per season with an estimated net worth of $12 million — but his legacy is nothing without a title.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Josh Childress: Women’s Sports Attracting ‘New Pool of Capital’

The former NBA player also weighed in on expansion and Stanford athletics.
Apr 3, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Dusty May Believes NIL Era Experience Will Aid NBA Transition

May is the future college coach to make the jump since 2019.

NBA Set for Summer of Chaos: LeBron, Kawhi, Gambling

Kawhi Leonard is the latest star on the trade block.

Unrivaled Lands Two International Stars Amid Project B Battle

Unrivaled also signed Canadian forward Bridget Carleton.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

6/30/26 – Comcast Splits in Two, NBA Gambling Probe Grows, NBA Free Agency Opens, Serena Returns at Wimbledon

0:00

Featured Today

June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.

College Sports Roster Spending Soars Beyond $20.5M Rev-Share Cap

The $20.5 million rev-share cap was a new floor for roster costs.
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium.
June 25, 2026

Court Hands NCAA, Conferences Win in Fight Over NIL Enforcement

Schools are still going above the revenue-sharing cap.
June 26, 2026

West Virginia AD: McAfee’s Value to School ‘Maybe Eight Figures’

The sports media star played at West Virginia nearly two decades ago.
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
June 25, 2026

The Clippers Have Innovated the NCAA Draft-and-Stash

No. 57 pick Narcisse Ngoy will still play for Auburn this season.
Mar 16, 2026; Dayton, OH, USA; Detailed view of the “NCAA” logo during the Howard Bison a practice session ahead of the first four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at University of Dayton Arena.
June 24, 2026

Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model

The players are suing after being excluded from the new policy.
June 23, 2026

NCAA Approves New ‘Age-Based’ Eligibility Rule

Two attorneys are preparing lawsuits on behalf of at least 50 players.
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) returns then ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
June 23, 2026

Women’s Basketball Players Blast College Sports Bill

“Where we disagree is—Congress shouldn’t be deciding who makes those rules.”