NCAA Basketball: 25 best team rivalries heading into 2019-20 season

9. Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels

The West Coast’s best rivalry is the true epitome of big brother against little brother. There’s an intense history between Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s in what can be classified as nothing less than a loveless and bitter rivalry.

The two foes have dominated (mostly Gonzaga) the WCC for many years. Gonzaga just played in the national title game in 2017 and has some of the nation’s best teams, but that doesn’t mean the Bulldogs always take care of business against these Gaels.

Gonzaga leads the overall series 70-31, including a 14-3 record in WCC Tournament play. These two teams have played in ten WCC Tournament title games, with Saint Mary’s victorious only three times.

However, one of those victories was last year’s stunning upset over the No. 1 Bulldogs 60-47 to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Gaels have struggled to consistently beat the Bulldogs (Mark Few is 43-11 against Saint Mary’s), but this was a big win for their program.

Fortunately, beating Gonzaga isn’t impossible for Saint Mary’s. They knocked off Gonzaga at home in 2011 on a game-winning shot by Mickey McConnell. Back in February 2017, the top-ranked Bulldogs knocked off No. 20 Saint Mary’s in a dominating performance featuring ESPN’s College GameDay.

The teams have played regularly in the WCC Tournament, with Gonzaga recently ending Saint Mary’s hopes by double digits in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017.

We could go bit by bit through these games and players, but this is a rivalry dominated by Gonzaga. The Gaels get their hard-fought wins, but dealing with players like Adam Morrison, Kelly Olynyk, and Rui Hachimura every year is no easy task.

Few will have Gonzaga churning on all cylinders going forward, but Saint Mary’s upset win the WCC title game surely gives them some confidence and momentum. However, they won’t turn the tide of the rivalry in one game.