7. “The slipper still fits!”
You know, it’s worth mentioning that this is the third time (and second game) Gonzaga appears on this list and (spoiler alert) they have one more appearance coming. Maybe it isn’t Price who has powers over Johnson, but instead it’s the Bulldogs.
In the pantheon of iconic moments in Gus Johnson moments, this game certainly holds a spot very high on the list. This was early in the days of Gonzaga as the perennial mid-major that destroys brackets. Now they’re just the perennial mid-major who gets a high ranking and disappoints in the NCAA Tournament.
We join this clip late in the second half with the ‘Zags down three. After an easy bucket, their full-court pressure causes Florida big man Brent Wright to go full Chris Webber, panicking, picking up his dribble, then traveling.
On the ensuing possession, Florida throws a zone at Gonzaga, likely in an effort to confuse them. All it did was lead first to a wide-open runner which missed, then an offensive rebound that is tipped up in the most unathletic-looking fashion and in, giving the Bulldogs the lead. A desperation of heave nearly gave the Law of Gus it’s own Wikipedia page, but Florida misses and Johnson drops the line that many remember him for.
Next: 2005 - Ohio State vs. Illinois