The consistent: Since 1999-2000, when Mark Few began as head coach, Gonzaga has finished first or tied for first in the West Coast Conference 12 times in 14 seasons; the other two seasons they finished second. They've made it to the tournament in every one of those seasons. Last year they were a one-seed for the first time in program history. Without question, they are the most successful mid-major program in the history of the NCAA.
The frustrating: In those 14 seasons, despite higher seeds in recent years and a list of future NBA players, they've never advanced past the Sweet 16. As maddening as that fact is to me, I couldn't even imagine how it feels to an actual fan of the program. It's as if Mark Few is a savior and a flawed coach at the same time. Not even one Elite Eight? It doesn't make sense to me, especially in a game where every other team with comparative regular season success - and those with less - have made it further in the postseason.
What it means: What it means is something we already know. It's difficult to be a dominant team in a weak conference and win in the postseason. Relatively, it's easier to be a solid if not spectacular team in a weak conference and advance in the postseason, for whatever reason. Basically, Few is in a tough spot. Will they ever move to the Pac-12?
The season and tonight's game: #25 Gonzaga (23-4, 13-1) is bucking previous patterns and getting hot (and ranked) later in the season rather than having to carry the burden of a stout record against small-time (but feisty) opponents. Maybe this is the year they finally advance deep in the tournament. Tonight at 11:00 pm EST on ESPN2, they're on the road against a decent BYU team (18-10, 10-5).
Spread and prediction: BYU is favored by two in this game. Wow. After dedicating exactly three words to them in this preview ("decent BYU team"), I feel obligated to go with the Bulldogs.
Live stream: watchespn.com.
Record: 18-25
Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)
UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)
Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)
Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)
Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)
Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)
Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)
Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)
Colorado @ Arizona: W (picked Colorado, + 14.5)
Illinois @ Ohio State: W (picked Illinois, + 11)
Michigan @ Michigan State: W (picked Michigan, + 4.5)
Villanova @ Marquette: W (picked Villanova, -3)
Utah @ Arizona: W (picked Utah, + 15)
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State: W (picked Oklahoma, + 4.5)
Villanova @ Georgetown: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)
Michigan State @ Iowa: W (picked Michigan State, + 5)
St. John's @ Creighton: W (picked St. John's, + 12)
Iowa State @ Kansas: L (picked Iowa State, + 8.5)
Syracuse @ Wake Forest: L (picked Syracuse, -10)
Purdue @ Michigan: L (picked Michigan, -12)
Florida @ Mississippi State: W (picked Miss. State, + 15)
Duke @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -3)
Xavier @ Villanova: L (picked Xavier, + 10)
Nebraska @ Michigan: L (picked Nebraska, + 13)
Boston College @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -13)
Oregon @ Arizona: L (picked Arizona, -11)
Oklahamo State @ Texas Tech: W (picked Texas Tech, + 6.5)
West Virginia @ Kansas: L (picked WVU, + 14)
Maryland @ Virginia: L (picked Virginia, -11)
Iowa State @ West Virginia: L (picked Iowa State, - 1.5)
Michigan @ Ohio State: L (picked Ohio State, -3.5)
Florida @ Tennessee: W (picked Florida, - 1.5)
Syracuse @ Pittsburg: W (picked Syracuse, + 2.5 -- absurd line)
Villanova @ Depaul: W (picked Villanova, -14)
Creighton @ Butler: L (picked Creighton, -8.5)
West Virginia @ Texas: W (picked Texas, -6)
Florida @ Kentucky: L (picked Kentucy, -2)
VCU @ Saint Louis: W (picked VCU, +4.5)
Villanova @ Creighton: L (picked Villanova, -3.5)
Texas @ Iowa State: L (picked Texas, +6)
Villanova @ Providence: L (picked Villanova, -4.5)
Wichita State @ Loyola: L (picked Loyola, + 13.5)
Creighton @ Marquette: W (picked Creighton, -3)
