Monday, July 27, 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

Paris 2024 Olympics - Basketball - Men's Quarterfinal - Brazil vs United States - Bercy Arena, Paris, France - August 06, 2024. Joel Embiid of United States and Lebron James of United States react during the match. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

LeBron James Turns 76ers Into National TV Fixture

The NBA had been waiting on James’s decision to finalize its schedule.

LeBron’s Decision Leaves Three Big Questions for the NBA

James’s decision allows free agency to finish.

LeBron Officially Signs $8M Deal As Sixers Continue Roster Shuffle

James agreed to a two-year deal with the Sixers on Friday.

WNBA Will Tackle Officiating Woes With New Replay Center

The WNBA will use the NBA’s replay center facility in New Jersey.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/27/26 – LeBron’s 76ers Decision, WNBA Officiating Overhaul, Michigan AD Buyout

0:00

Featured Today

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi

UNC Puts Football GM Michael Lombardi on ‘Administrative Leave’

The beleaguered football program led by Bill Belichick faces yet another controversy.
July 25, 2026

Michigan AD Warde Manuel to Get $7M Buyout

Manuel will step down at the end of 2026.
Sep 13, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal offensive lineman Fisher Anderson (center) blocks against Boston College Eagles defensive lineman Kwan Williams (right) during the fourth quarter at Stanford Stadium.
July 27, 2026

Stanford Football Players Launch Effort to Unionize

The football players’ CFBPA “fraternity chapter” could eventually be a union.
Sponsored

Inside the EY 2026 Sports Engagement Index: The Real Map of American Sports Participation

EY’s latest index explores how shifting U.S. fan behaviors are expanding the definition of sports engagement.
Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Xavier Edmonds (24) dunks the ball during the second half against Duke Blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
July 24, 2026

TCU AD Mike Buddie: Coaches, ADs Should Have a Salary Cap

Salaries for the highest-paid coaches exceed $13 million.
Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) shoots the ball Thursday, March 19, 2026, during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round game against the Siena Saints at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
July 24, 2026

Duke–Michigan Amazon Showcase Canceled Over TV Rights Dispute

The Big Ten had disputed that the ACC possessed the game’s rights.
July 23, 2026

Trump-Backed College Sports Bill Faces Hurdles As Deadline Nears

If it doesn’t pass the Senate by August, it could be dead.
Josh Pate
July 21, 2026

Josh Pate on Trump Interview Fallout: ‘It’s the President Asking’

Pate knew his interview with the president would be polarizing.