Mark Few described Gonzaga’s preparation for their debut at March Madness as “it’s incredible.”

Mark Few described Gonzaga’s preparation for their debut at March Madness as “it’s incredible.”

Uncertainty and March Madness go hand in hand. It’s difficult to win games in the NCAA Tournament, with Cinderella teams making it all the way to the finals and higher seeds losing. Reaching deep runs over a number of years is considerably more difficult.

That’s why Gonzaga’s accomplishment is so astounding. After the Bulldogs’ 89-68 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday in the Round of 32, the Zags made it to their seventh consecutive Sweet 16 berth.

You did really read correctly. Gonzaga has competed in games during the second week of the tournament for nine years running.

Gonzaga qualified for the NCAA Tournament by winning 14 of their last 16 games. The Bulldogs’ effective field goal % is among the top 40 in the country, and their defense has improved. Gonzaga’s record of 24 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances was in doubt just a few weeks ago. The script then turned around. The Bulldogs’ impressive road victories over Saint Mary’s and Kentucky demonstrated the Zags’ progress.

The program has been on the rise since the mid-1990s. A school in a mid-major conference, the WCC, Gonzaga has become a March Madness staple, with appearances in every NCAA Tournament since 1999. Since the 2008-09 season, the Zags have appeared on every final AP poll.

Gonzaga has the longest active Sweet 16 streak in the country. The next best, Houston, is at five after the Cougars’ overtime win on Sunday. Now, Gonzaga will play No. 1 seed Purdue, looking to advance to its seventh Elite Eight in program history.

It raises the question: Are the Zags the new model of consistency in men’s college basketball? Let’s explore to find out.

Gonzaga’s Sweet 16 streak began in 2015. That season, the Zags advanced to their first Elite Eight since 1999.

During this run, Gonzaga has reached five Elite Eights, two Final Fours and two national championship games. But the Zags lost both national championship games; to North Carolina in 2017 and Baylor in 2021.

In eight of the 10 seasons, Gonzaga finished in the top 10 of the KenPom rankings. In five of those seasons, the Zags ranked in KenPom’s top five (2017, 2019, 2020 2021 and 2022, when they finished either No. 1 or No. 2).

Not only is Gonzaga’s consistency remarkable, but so is their ability to create novel strategies for victory. When it comes to KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency (points scored per 100 possessions that are adjusted for opponent), Gonzaga finished in the top 10 nationally in seven of those seasons. In two of those ten seasons—2017, the year they advanced to the national championship game—Gugaga ranked among the top 10 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency, which measures points allowed per 100 possessions adjusted for the opponent.

Fifteen WCC player of the year award winners were from Gonzaga. The Zags developed several future NBA players, including Adam Morrison, Kelly Olynyk and Chet Holmgren. Drew Timme — who played for Gonzaga from 2020 to 2023 — ended as the Zags’ all-time leading scorer. Gonzaga recruited eight five-star recruits and five McDonalds All-Americans from 2015 to 2024.

Under Mark Few, Gonzaga created a winning culture. The Zags recorded at least 30 wins in all but three seasons from 2015 to 2024. While Gonzaga was a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament three times during this span, it has outperformed its lower seed position. As a No. 11 seed, Gonzaga reached the Sweet 16 in 2016 after upsetting No. 6 Seton Hall and No. 3 Utah.

Not to be discounted, this year’s Zags rarely turn over the ball and generate second-chance opportunities. Forward Graham Ike scored at least 20 points in a seven-game stretch that started on Feb. 10. His dominance in the paint combined with Ryan Nembhard’s floor leadership gives the Bulldogs a deadly 1-2 punch.

“All the ones that came before them that set this thing up, it’s a testament to all the great players that came through this program,” Few said on reaching the Sweet 16 a ninth-consecutive season.

It’s important to remember that this year’s Zags hardly ever give up the ball or create second-chance opportunities. Moving forward Beginning on February 10 and lasting for seven games, Graham Ike scored at least 20 points. Ryan Nembhard’s floor leadership coupled with his paint-mending prowess provides the Bulldogs a lethal one-two punch.

After making it to the Sweet 16 for the eighth straight season, Few remarked, “All the ones that came before them that set this thing up, it’s a testament to all the great players that came through this program.”