When the NCAA Tournament field is announced for the 2025–26 season, the Gonzaga Bulldogs fully expect to hear their name called. They’ve been a fixture in March Madness every year since 1999, and that streak shows no signs of ending.
Mark Few took over as head coach for the 1999–2000 season, and under his leadership, Gonzaga has never missed the NCAA Tournament. In his first two seasons at the helm, the Bulldogs reached the Sweet 16, setting the tone for a program that’s since become a national powerhouse.
Sustained Excellence in the Big Dance
Since the 2014–15 season, the Bulldogs’ tournament resume has been exceptional. Aside from the canceled 2019–20 season, Gonzaga has appeared in every NCAA Tournament since, with two national runner-up finishes, three Elite Eight appearances, and four more trips to the Sweet 16.
Perhaps most impressively, Gonzaga hasn’t lost in the opening round since 2007–08, a testament to the consistency and preparation that Few’s teams bring every March.
Chasing the West Coast Crown Again
For over a decade, Gonzaga ruled the West Coast Conference, winning or sharing 11 straight league titles. However, Saint Mary’s has taken the top spot in each of the last two seasons, and that’s something the Bulldogs are eager to change.
With a Top 20 preseason ranking and a loaded roster, Gonzaga looks poised to reclaim its place atop the WCC. The frontcourt duo of Graham Ike and Braden Huff could be among the nation’s best, while Spanish guard Mario Saint-Supery adds an international flair and dynamic scoring touch. The Bulldogs also expect a big contribution from Tyon Grant-Foster, the talented transfer from Grand Canyon.
Testing Themselves Early and Often
Gonzaga begins its season with two exhibition games against Northwest and Western Oregon at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The regular season tips off Monday, November 3, at home against Texas Southern, before a tough November stretch featuring Oklahoma, Creighton, Arizona State, Alabama, and Maryland.
True to form, Gonzaga’s December slate is just as loaded, with Kentucky, UCLA, and Oregon all on tap before conference play opens December 28.
A Tradition That Feels Automatic
Few things in college basketball are as reliable as Gonzaga’s presence on Selection Sunday. Year after year, the Bulldogs prove that their place among the nation’s elite is no accident, it’s built on culture, consistency, and excellence.
When March arrives, expect the Zags to be there once again, ready to make another deep run.