Wednesday, July 1, 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

Jan 25, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) talks with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (right) after the game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

LeBron Watch 2026: Where Does the NBA’s Biggest Free Agent Fit Best?

James won’t return to the Lakers after eight seasons.
Oct 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; NBA on Prime reporter Allie Clifton (right) interviews Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Allie Clifton Credits ‘Road Trippin’ for Changing Her Career

Richard Jefferson approached Clifton to join the podcast in 2017.
Jun 11, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert meets with the working media before Portland Fire against the Las Vegas Aces at Moda Center.

Cathy Engelbert Responds to Alyssa Thomas’s Callout

Thomas received a Flagrant 2 foul and one-game suspension last week.
Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Clippers Set to Trade Kawhi to Raptors as Aspiration Ruling Looms

Adam Silver has indicated that a ruling is coming soon.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/1/26 – LeBron Leaves the Lakers, Kawhi to Toronto, Sorsby Drops NFL Fight, Serena Falls at Wimbledon

0:00

Featured Today

Kansas City Chiefs

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
June 26, 2026

What We Saw Traveling the U.S. for the World Cup Group Stage

The knockout stage begins Sunday.
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.

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.”