Gonzaga Bulldogs, a NCAA Division I college basketball team from Spokane, Washington, has made a name for itself as one of the top teams in the country. The Bulldogs have earned a reputation as a consistent contender in the NCAA tournament, often making deep runs in the tournament and even reaching the Final Four on several occasions. Gonzaga has also had the opportunity to compete for the national championship several times, with several appearances in the championship game. In this article, we’ll take a look at how many times Gonzaga has played in the national championship and the results of those appearances.
Gonzaga’s History in the National Championship
Gonzaga first appeared in the national championship in 1999, when the Bulldogs lost to the University of Connecticut in the championship game. The Huskies went on to win the championship that year, while Gonzaga ended up as the runner-up. Since then, the Bulldogs have made five additional appearances in the national championship, with the most recent appearance coming in 2017.
Gonzaga’s 2017 National Championship Appearance
The 2017 NCAA tournament was one of the most memorable in Gonzaga’s history. After a strong regular season, the Bulldogs earned a No. 1 seed in the tournament and made their way to the championship game. In the championship game, the Bulldogs faced off against the North Carolina Tar Heels and put up a valiant effort, but ultimately lost 71-65. Despite the loss in the championship game, the 2017 tournament was a major success for Gonzaga, as the Bulldogs made it further than any other team in school history.
Gonzaga’s Other National Championship Appearances
In addition to Gonzaga’s 2017 national championship appearance, the Bulldogs have also made four other trips to the championship game. In 2005, Gonzaga faced off against the University of North Carolina in the title game and came up short, losing 82-73. The Bulldogs then made back-to-back appearances in the national championship in 2015 and 2016, but lost both games to Duke and Villanova, respectively. In 2021, Gonzaga faced off against Baylor in the title game and, once again, came up short, losing 86-70.
Gonzaga’s Overall Record in the National Championship
In total, Gonzaga has appeared in the national championship six times, with the most recent appearance coming in 2021. The Bulldogs have yet to win the national championship, but they have had some success in the tournament, making it to the Final Four in 2017 and 2021. Gonzaga has also made it to the Elite Eight on four occasions, in 1999, 2015, 2016, and 2021.
Conclusion
Gonzaga has been one of the top teams in college basketball for several years and has had the opportunity to compete for the national championship on several occasions. The Bulldogs have appeared in the national championship six times, with the most recent appearance coming in 2021. Despite not winning the national championship yet, Gonzaga has had some success in the tournament, making it to the Final Four on two occasions and the Elite Eight four times.