The Gonzaga Bulldogs have become one of the most successful programs in college basketball over the past two decades. They have been to the NCAA tournament in 18 of the last 20 seasons, including a Final Four run in 2017 and a national runner-up finish in 2021. As a result, the Bulldogs have become one of the most recognizable teams in college basketball and a perennial contender in the NCAA tournament. But just how far has Gonzaga gone in the NCAA tournament?
Gonzaga’s Early NCAA Tournament Appearances
Gonzaga first made the NCAA tournament in 1995, when they were a No. 15 seed in the West Region. They lost to eventual national champion UCLA in the first round, but it marked the beginning of a long run of NCAA tournament appearances.
Gonzaga continued to make the NCAA tournament in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but they were unable to make it out of the first round. In 1999, they lost to eventual national champion UConn in the first round, and in 2000, they lost to Purdue in the first round. They were able to make it to the Sweet 16 in 2001, but they were unable to advance any further.
The Rise to National Prominence
Gonzaga began to make a name for themselves in the mid-2000s, when they started to make deep runs in the NCAA tournament. In 2006, they made it to the Sweet 16 as a No. 7 seed, and in 2007, they made it to the Elite Eight as a No. 3 seed. They were unable to make it to the Final Four, however, as they lost to eventual national champion Florida in overtime.
Gonzaga continued to make the NCAA tournament in the late 2000s and early 2010s, but they were unable to make it out of the second round until 2013. That year, they made it to the Sweet 16 as a No. 1 seed, and they followed that up with another Sweet 16 appearance in 2014.
The Breakthrough Years
Gonzaga finally broke through to the Final Four in 2017, when they were a No. 1 seed in the West Region. They easily dispatched their first four opponents, and they were able to upset No. 11 seed Xavier in the Elite Eight to advance to the Final Four. They ultimately lost to eventual national champion North Carolina in the national semifinals, but it was a huge accomplishment for the program and it put them on the national stage.
The Bulldogs followed up their Final Four run with another Elite Eight appearance in 2018, and they were able to make it back to the Sweet 16 in 2019. They were unable to make it back to the Final Four, however, as they lost to eventual national runner-up Texas Tech in the Elite Eight.
The 2021 National Runner-Up Finish
Gonzaga had arguably their best season in school history in 2021, as they went undefeated in the regular season and were the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. They cruised through the first four rounds, but they were pushed to the limit by UCLA in the Final Four. They ultimately prevailed in overtime, setting up a matchup with Baylor in the national championship game.
Gonzaga was able to keep the game close, but they ultimately fell short in the final minute and lost 86-70. It was a heartbreaking loss, but it was also a testament to how far the program had come.
Conclusion
Gonzaga has come a long way since their first NCAA tournament appearance in 1995. They have been to the NCAA tournament in 18 of the last 20 years, including a Final Four run in 2017 and a national championship game appearance in 2021. They may not have won the national title yet, but they have proved that they are one of the best programs in college basketball and a perennial contender in the NCAA tournament.