Gonzaga Bulldogs Guard Cade Orness to Enter Transfer Portal
The first member of the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ 2025-26 roster to move on from the program this offseason, Cade Orness announced via Instagram on Wednesday that he would be entering the transfer portal.
“This has been one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make,” Orness wrote. “There’s a lot that comes with stepping away from a special place like this, especially because of the people and relationships that have meant so much to me. But after a lot of thought and prayer, I have peace in knowing this is the next step for me in my journey through life and basketball.”
Redshirting for the past two seasons, Orness appeared in eight games with the Zags – all of them during this past season. The 6-5 guard initially made the team in 2024-25 as a walk-on but earned a scholarship before his second year at the collegiate level. Orness totaled three points, one defensive rebound, one assist, and a steal. He also shot 1-of-2 from the field and was 1-for-5 at the free-throw line in his action on the floor.
Season in Review: Analyzing Gonzaga’s 2025-26 Campaign, Future of the Program
A lot of the country will remember the end of the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ season as somewhat expected, not being particularly impressed with their season resume, and not necessarily floored when the 3-seed Zags were upset in the Round of 32 to 11-seed Texas.
But despite a disappointing conclusion, GU accomplished a lot this season. Finishing 31-4, the Bulldogs notched their ninth season of 30+ wins in program history, and their first since 2022-23. Forward Graham Ike received honors as a Third-Team All-American, with Drew Timme’s First-Team selection back in 2023 being the last Bulldog to accomplish the feat.
And they did it in such a different fashion than previous GU squads, with a stalwart defense that consistently stifled opponents. Combined with new heights of adversity for the program, Gonzaga still found a way to earn a share of the WCC regular-season title, win the conference tournament, and grab a victory in the NCAA tournament for the 27th consecutive year.
What was the path to another noble year for the Zags?
Gonzaga Survives Rock Fight With Kennesaw State in Round of 64
You couldn’t dream of a choppier start to the NCAA Tournament for 3-seed Gonzaga in its first-round contest against 14-seed Kennesaw State.
Connecting on just four of their first 20 shots from the field and not hitting their first three until the final minute of the first half, the Bulldogs’ shooting was anemic to start the game. Their offense was stagnant, congested, and collected as the Owls dragged the Zags into a slog, with neither team maintaining rhythm in its half-court offense.
But despite KSU leading for the majority of the first half, GU stayed at arm's length throughout. Then, Gonzaga began to play better off its exceptional defense and took a 10-0 run into halftime, riding that momentum out of the locker room into a 74-63 win. It marked the 17th straight season of the Bulldogs advancing from the first round of the tournament, and in a climate of higher seeds being upset, they will take the wins — no matter what they look like.
“I always, always understand just how hard it is to win a game in this tournament. So I think that’s one of the things I’m most proud of...” head coach Mark Few said. “I’m really happy we got through this one. It wasn't pretty, but bottom line is you just win, and now we get to move on.”
Young Stars Fuel Zags MBB to 21st WCC Title Under Mark Few
Gonzaga men’s basketball shrugged off a shaky first half to secure yet another West Coast Conference championship and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament following a 79-68 win over Santa Clara on Tuesday, March 10, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
The Zags (30-3, 16-2 WCC) had four players score in double figures, getting massive contributions from their freshman class in a critical victory. Gonzaga’s elite defense outweighed being shaky at the free throw line and outhustled on the offensive boards.
Gonzaga MBB Stays Course, Downs Oregon State To Reach WCC Title Game
Despite a slow start, the result was never in doubt as Gonzaga men’s basketball advanced to its 29th straight West Coast Conference championship with a 65-56 win over Oregon State on Monday, March 9, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
West Coast Conference Player of the Year Graham Ike led the way for the Zags as he has all year, with another 20-point double-double. The only time Gonzaga looked susceptible to the Beavers’ attack was when Ike was on the bench, and he didn’t sit for long (36 minutes played).
Graham Ike Wins Player of the Year, Gonzaga Freshmen Honored in WCC Postseason Awards
Three different Zags received recognition in the WCC’s annual postseason awards, with forward Graham Ike taking home the WCC Player of the Year while guards Davis Fogle and Mario Saint-Supéry were each named to the conference’s All-Freshman Team.
Ike was also selected to the All-WCC First Team, but he was the lone Bulldog to be on the West Coast’s First or Second Team, or even an Honorable Mention.
Breaking down the hardware campaigns for Gonzaga’s three campaigns, how did each of them contribute to the team’s strong season?
Gonzaga Wins Clunky Contest Against Pacific 71-62
It sure wasn’t pretty. There were plenty of ill-advised shots, rushed possessions, and a bunch of missed free throws, but Gonzaga (27-2, 16-1) still found a way to get past Pacific (17-13, 8-9) 71-62 at home for its fifth consecutive victory.
Watching the Tigers on tape, Mark Few figured the game would be far from a smooth operation. His prediction was taken to the extreme, with Gonzaga playing one of its rougher stretches of basketball this season in the first half.
Eight and a half hours earlier, there was a bracket preview held for the NCAA Tournament, where the Zags were listed as one of the No.3 seeds. One of the committee chairs, Keith Gill, shared that the group was seriously considering GU as a No.4 seed prior to a season-ending injury to Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, with the Bulldogs’ lone conference loss to Portland still looming large in the eyes of the committee.
No. 12 Gonzaga Thrashes Washington State 83-53, Sets Up Crucial Santa Clara Matchup
A day after sliding six spots in the AP Poll, No. 12 Gonzaga played its best basketball in what felt like ages, dominating Washington State at the McCarthey Athletic Center Tuesday night by a score of 83-53. It was as well-rounded a game as GU has put together in several weeks, evidenced by its largest margin of victory since January 21 versus Pepperdine, and the team’s third-biggest win in conference play.
The Bulldogs have a big-time game on the horizon, heading down to Santa Clara to take on the Broncos with a chance to reclaim sole possession of first place in the WCC this Saturday, and after a brutal road loss last week to Portland, the Zags notched a large win on their home floor before the biggest game of the season.
Gonzaga Survives Three-Point Barrage From San Francisco, Escapes with 68-66 Win
Gonzaga has now beaten San Francisco in 34 straight games, but the Dons had an opportunity to win the latest matchup between the two teams on the final possession. How did the Bulldogs nearly allow a win to slip out of their grasp?
Gonzaga Powers Past Pepperdine 84-60 as Several Players Maximize New Opportunity
With injuries to big-name players, doors have been opened for a few Gonzaga players to receive more playing time than normally accustomed. Which Bulldogs made the most of heightened opportunity during their 84-60 rout of Pepperdine?
No Huff, No Ike, No Problem; Gonzaga Suffocates Seattle U 71-50 Without Two Big Men
Even without its two leading scorers, Gonzaga proved why its truly such a dangerous team, drubbing Seattle U 71-50 Saturday night without Graham Ike or Braden Huff. How did the Bulldogs get the job done on the road?
Gonzaga Pounds Pepperdine 96-56 to Open WCC Play
50 straight victories over another program is a different level of dominance, and Gonzaga secured the historic feat over Pepperdine in style, capturing a 40-point rout on the road in its first WCC game of the season. What stood out in the Bulldogs’ record-breaking win?
Analysis: Grading Each Gonzaga Player Prior to WCC Play
With a strong 12-1 start to the season, Gonzaga has executed as well as it could have expected after a lot of turnover in the rotation this offseason. How did each player on the roster perform during the non-conference slate?
Mark Few Gets Career Win No. 750 as Gonzaga Annihilates North Florida 109-58
Even without its top scorer and rebounder in Graham Ike, Gonzaga had no problem handling North Florida on its home court, where Mark Few’s 750th career victory with the Zags was won by over a 50-point margin.
Gonzaga Shuffles Starters in Historic 122-50 Rout of Southern Utah
In its last game before the Players Era Festival next week, Gonzaga experimented with two new starters, going on to have its largest margin of victory against a Division I opponent in program history. What did the new lineup spark in the Zags' win over Southern Utah?
Sluggish Start Remedied by Bench as Gonzaga Trounces Texas Southern in Season Opener
After being initially stifled offensively, Gonzaga got in rhythm thanks to contributions from its bench, resulting in a monstrous win over Texas Southern in its regular season opener.
Preview: What to Expect From Gonzaga MBB in the 2025-26 Season
After an unfamiliar finish in March, Gonzaga looks to be a national championship contender once again. Anchored by Graham Ike and Braden Huff in the frontcourt, the other key for the Zags will be fresher, yet experienced, faces finding their strides.
Wing Depth Stands Out in Gonzaga's Exhibition Win Over Northwest
The household names for Gonzaga did their thing in the Zags’ first exhibition game, but the team’s leading scorer and a near double-double came from unlikely sources in the win versus Northwest.
Excitement Exudes as 2025 Kraziness in the Kennel Kicks off Gonzaga’s Basketball Season
Gonzaga men’s basketball hosted its annual Kraziness in the Kennel event on Saturday, teasing its 2025-26 team to the world. What were the takeaways from the event?
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