Gonzaga University has a rich basketball history, and many fans wonder if they have ever been in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. The answer is yes, the Bulldogs have made it to the Sweet 16 three times in school history, and they have had some memorable moments along the way.
History of Gonzaga Basketball
Gonzaga basketball has been a successful program since the mid-1990s. The Bulldogs have won numerous conference championships, made deep runs in the NCAA tournament, and even made it to the Elite Eight in 1999.
The Bulldogs were led by future NBA players Dan Dickau, Blake Stepp, and Ronny Turiaf, and achieved a top ten ranking in 2004-05. The Bulldogs have remained a top-tier program since then, making the NCAA tournament for 19 consecutive seasons.
Gonzaga’s First Sweet 16 Appearance
The Bulldogs first made it to the Sweet 16 in 2001, when they upset the sixth-seeded Virginia Cavaliers in the second round of the tournament. This was the first time a West Coast Conference team had made it to the Sweet 16 since 1990.
The Bulldogs advanced to the regional finals, where they faced the defending champion Michigan State Spartans. Despite an impressive performance, the Bulldogs ultimately fell to the Spartans, ending their run.
Gonzaga Reaches Sweet 16 Again in 2006
After their first Sweet 16 appearance, the Bulldogs would have to wait five years before they would make it back. In 2006, the Bulldogs again advanced to the Sweet 16 after beating Indiana and Xavier in the opening rounds of the tournament.
The Bulldogs were led by Adam Morrison, one of the best players in school history. Morrison scored a career-high 43 points in the Sweet 16 matchup against UCLA, but it wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs ultimately lost to the Bruins.
Gonzaga’s Most Recent Sweet 16 Appearance
Gonzaga’s most recent Sweet 16 appearance came in 2009, when they defeated Western Kentucky and Syracuse to advance to the regional semifinal. The Bulldogs were led by future NBA player Jeremy Pargo and All-American forward Josh Heytvelt.
The Bulldogs faced the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Sweet 16, and despite an impressive performance, they ultimately fell to the eventual national champions.
Conclusion
Gonzaga has had three Sweet 16 appearances in school history, and they have had some memorable moments along the way. The Bulldogs have been a successful program since the mid-1990s, and they look to make more deep runs in the NCAA tournament in the coming years.