Many West Coast Conference aficionados expected this 2026 tournament version of the championship game in Las Vegas, Nevada, to be yet another duel between the No. 1-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs (30-3, 16-2 WCC) and the No. 2-seeded Saint Mary’s Gaels (27-5, 16-2 WCC).
Coach Herb Sendek and his No. 3-seeded Santa Clara Broncos (26-8, 15-3 WCC) proved to be just as worthy a competitor to coach Randy Bennett’s group in this three-bid NCAA Tournament league on the mid-major level.
For me personally, this was my third time being a part of the festivities at the Orleans Arena. It was definitely the most filled and loudest I’ve ever heard from the Gonzaga fanbase, in-person or watching on television over the years.
The ‘Kennel South’ didn’t let off the gas pedal on their school’s way to winning the West Coast Conference Tournament title for the 23rd time since 1995.
The Wi-Fi connection was terribly bad in the building, but it was clear just how evenly-matched these two programs were in the first half. It was some sloppy execution from the Zags to start, with the offense struggling to get in any sort of groove.
In that sixth-man role of his, Broncos’ redshirt freshman forward Allen Graves (11 points on 4-for-7 field goals/2-for-5 three-pointers, game-high nine rebounds, three assists/two turnovers) has shown how capable he is of playing at the next level. Not only in his efforts on the defensive end with the two steals or keeping possessions alive on the offensive glass, but also with his ability to catch-and-shoot outside of the perimeter. He’s much more than a wing defender whenever he decides to enter his name in the NBA Draft.
Sendek has put his true faith in redshirt sophomore guard Christian Hammond (game-high 24 points on 9-for-16 field goals/2-for-4 three-pointers/4-for-5 free throws) from way back at the start of the season in November. He seemed to always have an answer to a potential opposing run in the first half of the entertaining Tuesday night finale in the desert.
The main reason that Gonzaga was trailing 33-29 at the half was due to the lack of effort on the glass, eventually losing in that department 41-35. There were way too many second-chance scoring opportunities handed over to Santa Clara before heading into the locker room. 14 offensive rebounds after the first 20 minutes had to have coach Mark Few livid at his guys, understanding they’re much better than that.
Coming out for the second half was a different story for the Zags, with everyone doing their part and making minimal mistakes compared to the first half. One more example of how Few’s halftime adjustments are one of the best amongst all the terrific basketball minds in the sport.
Graduate forward Graham Ike’s rim protection, finishing with two blocks along with a perfect 7-for-7 from the field for 15 points, is what spurred the transition play for the freshman duo of Davis Fogle and Mario Saint-Supery on the other end. The big man on campus in Spokane, Washington, brought back life into the Zags’ faithful inside the Orleans Arena with his all-around strong play on both sides of the floor.
The offensive pace was later completely in favor of Saint-Supery and Fogle. The pair in Gonzaga’s backcourt was playing unbelievably well in transition and was feeding off each other’s efforts. It was 27 fastbreak points to the Broncos’ zero because of those two’s connection on the run-out.
Saint-Supery didn’t even take a shot inside the arc, completing with 21 points on a reliable 6-for-12 on three-pointers. This place was ready to explode anytime the Spaniard even thought about launching a shot from deep, especially coming off a kick-out or cross-court pass from Fogle.
The offense was run much more cleanly in the second half when Fogle started to take over more of the ball-handling. He didn’t turn the rock over once and dished out six assists. Fogle actually led his team with eight rebounds, six assists/zero turnovers, and two steals with his 27 minutes off the bench. He was the one who put Gonzaga in the winning position late in the second half with his all-around strong play.
Fogle had full control of the court and was the most confident player out there. The future of this program will be led by the Anacoretes, Washington native at a high level next season. Fogle will only continue to get better and even more comfortable at the young age of 18, turning 19 in June. The unfortunate left knee injury to redshirt junior forward Braden Huff near the start of conference play back in early January really opened up the door for his utmost confidence.
After Gonzaga’s 79-68 title victory over Santa Clara, Ike was rewarded the West Coast Conference Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game in the two wins at the Orleans Arena for the Zags, cementing his collegiate resume as one of the greats to come and join Few as a transfer.
Can’t forget about the pogo-stick in the second unit that is graduate wing Tyon Grant-Foster (20 points on 7-for-11 overall shooting/2-for-3 out on the perimeter). His seven highly contested rebounds against the Broncos weren’t easy to come by any means. Grant-Foster and Saint-Supery were named to the All-Tournament Team in Sin City alongside Ike.
Ike spoke postgame on how winning can never get old, as well as the importance of Fogle and Saint-Supery on the way to the Zags’ 30th win of the season, the ninth time that has been done in program history.
“It’s an amazing feeling. You can’t get tired of winning championships, man. Back-to-back champs – you don’t hear that every day. I’m just glad I can be part of such a great legacy and lineage.” – Gonzaga graduate forward Graham Ike on the continuous winning in Las Vegas
“Their confidence is always at an all-time high. They feel like they can make any shot at any time. They’re not freshmen anymore after that game. They stepped up to the plate and they took full advantage of the opportunity.” – Gonzaga graduate forward Graham Ike on the freshmen delivering
Gonzaga, the tiny Jesuit institution out of the Inland Northwest, will be moving on to a remarkable 27th consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. No one can write up a more unheard-of storyline.
As for the man in charge of the Zags, Few completes his time in the West Coast Conference Tournament with a 56-6 overall record. His consistency year-in and year-out in this league was remarkable, breaking it down nicely with good buddy and ESPN personality Scott Van Pelt.
This is still a Santa Clara team not to be slept on come March Madness, who will most likely be receiving a No. 10 seed and not having to compete in the First Four all the way out in Dayton, Ohio. Sendek’s group is very much capable of getting a win or even two in the first weekend, given his vast amount of experience in the Big Dance since the mid ’90s with the Miami (OH) Redhawks in the Metro-Atlantic Conference, NC State Wolfpack out of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and Arizona State Sun Devils in the Pac-10 Conference.
As for Gonzaga, a No. 3 seed in the West region was seemingly secured with its seventh Quad 1 victory of the season. Selection Sunday will occur this upcoming March 15 at 3 p.m. PT on CBS. The Zags will have over a week’s rest until what looks to be their first-round matchup in Portland, Oregon, at the Moda Center.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
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