> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Preview: 3-Seed Gonzaga Aims to Start New Sweet Sixteen Streak - URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/preview-3-seed-gonzaga-bulldogs-new-sweet-sixteen-streak/ - Published: 2026-03-18T21:42:17.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-08T05:56:09.000Z - Author: Corbin Smith - Tags: Preview, Analysis, Gonzaga Men's Basketball, Graham Ike, Mark Few, Jalen Warley, Mario Saint-Supéry, Tyon Grant-Foster, Emmanuel Innocenti ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/gonzaga-bulldogs-guard-braeden-smith--283-29-dribbles-the-basketball-against-santa-clara-broncos-guard-thierry-darlan--2815-29-during-the-first-half-at-orleans-arena--mandatory-credit-3a-kyle-terada-imagn-images-format-original.jpg) When the Gonzaga Bulldogs lost to the one-seeded Houston Cougars in the second round of last year’s NCAA Tournament, it snapped the Zags’ nine-year streak of advancing to at least the Sweet 16. Prioritizing different personnel in the offseason with a goal of improving defensively, GU rode a well-rounded rotation into a 30-3 record a year later, consistently sitting in the AP Poll’s Top 15 each week. Gonzaga is still a capable offense, currently playing through its Third-Team All-American big man Graham Ike. But it also boasts one of, if not the best, defensive units Mark Few has ever coached, posting the ninth-best defensive rating (93.9) in the country, per KenPom. Aside from Ike, the team has gotten contributions from every player in the rotation. From Jalen Warley’s adaptability to Emmanuel Innocenti’s perimeter defense to Mario Saint Supéry’s three-point precision, every (Bull)dog has had its day over the course of the season. There was, of course, the bad loss to a Portland team that finished 9th in the WCC. And although the Zags’ first loss of the season was to No. 3 Michigan, the final score was 101-61, with the Wolverines being the toughest opponent GU has faced by far in a now dampened non-conference schedule compared to preseason projections. But for the most part, Gonzaga has weathered the storms. On multiple occasions, Few coined this year’s Bulldogs as the team that’s faced the most adversity since he’s been at the helm. Forward Braden Huff, who is just as dangerous as Ike offensively, has been sidelined for the last two months with a dislocated knee and, although trending upwards, is doubtful to play this week. Ike and Warley have both missed games in the back half of the year. Tyon Grant-Foster, who attempted the second-most field goals on the Zags, was in danger of missing the season entirely, almost not getting his eligibility waiver cleared. And despite it all, GU is back in March Madness for the 28th consecutive season, now a 3-seed in the West Region. What challenges lie ahead for them in the opening rounds of the tournament? ### 14-seed Kennesaw State, Round of 64 **Record**:21-13, 10-10 Conference USA (9th), CUSA Tournament Champions Winning three games in three days to capture the conference title as a 6-seed, the Owls would spark the epitome of a Cinderella story if they were to knock off the Bulldogs on Thursday, let alone winning again on Saturday if they were to make it that far. KSU and the Zags share only one common opponent, Alabama, with Gonzaga downing the Tide 95-85 on November 24 in the Players Era Festival, while Kennesaw State lost to Alabama 91-81 about a month later. Like the Bulldogs, KSU has dealt with its fair share of adversity, but to an extreme level. On January 15, Kennesaw State indefinitely suspended its leading scorer, Simeon Cottle (20.2 ppg), due to the senior guard being indicted on charges of sports betting and points shaving, referencing incidents that occurred in 2024. The Owls have a solid group athletically, playing at the 19th-fastest adjusted tempo, per KenPom. They scored the most points per game in CUSA (83.4), with over 43% of their field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc. Guard RJ Johnson is the most dangerous sniper to watch in that regard, knocking down 43.3% of his shots from distance on the season. But the Bulldogs have defended the perimeter well this season, limiting opponents to shooting just 30.8% from three-point range. KSU is a physical bunch, collecting the eighth-most offensive rebounds in the nation (13.9). This will make the status of Warley imperative, who has been a dynamic force on the boards on both ends, especially since Huff has gone down. After sitting out for two games to rest his bruised quad that he had played through since the loss to the Pilots, Warley has stated his injury has improved over the last several weeks. Defensively, a lot of attention will be drawn to Ike, and potentially too much. Kennesaw State has committed the 10th-most fouls in DI and doesn’t possess the 7-0 bigs that have given Gonzaga’s 6-9 forward trouble. Committing bodies and playing a physical brand of basketball, the Owls will try to make other Bulldogs beat them, especially on looks from three. In the Zags’ WCC Championship win over Santa Clara, they found ways to get their best three-point shooter, Saint-Supéry, open for more catch-and-shoot opportunities instead of having him run the offense as much. It will take a heroic effort on both ends for the Owls to pull off the upset, looking to be the first team to eliminate GU in the first round since Stephen Curry’s 40 points fueled Davidson past the Zags in 2008. ### 6-seed BYU, Possible Round of 32 **Record**: 23-11, 9-9 Big 12 (10th Place); Won Two Games in Conference Tournament Potentially facing an old WCC foe, the Bulldogs would certainly have their hands full if they were to play the Cougars in the second round on Saturday. The programs haven’t played each other since February 2023, and this summer Gonzaga will join BYU as one of the recent departees of the WCC, among others. The Cougars possess a high-powered offense, ranking 10th in college basketball (125.4) according to KenPom, with freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa being their engine. The 6-9 forward scored at least 30 points seven times, at least 20 points in 27 games, and finished in double figures in all 34 contests. He’s a threat at all three levels, shooting 51.4% from the field, with the strength, aggressiveness, and freak athletic ability that allows him to carry a team on his shoulders. Warley will likely get the assignment on Dybantsa on most possessions, but Grant-Foster and Innocenti will surely get their opportunities as well to limit the skilled bucket-getter. The biggest challenge for the Zags defensively will be not sending the future lottery pick to the free-throw line. Contesting without fouling hasn’t been a problem for GU, but Dybantsa surely presents a unique obstacle, even for a stout Bulldogs’ defense. Also presenting a dynamic offensive skillset is 6-1 sophomore Robert Wright III, who operates as the Cougars’ second creator, averaging 18.2 points while shooting 42.2% from deep. Despite being undersized, the 20-year-old guard can make tough shots off the dribble and finish over bigger defenders with an expansive layup package. Wright also leads his team in assists per game (4.68) and free-throw percentage (82.6%). Behind Dybantsa and Wright, Kennard Davis is the team’s third leading scorer, but he is much more of a catch-and-shoot threat in BYU’s offense. Losing senior guard Richie Saunders, who was averaging 18 points a game, to a torn ACL on February 14, the Cougars have missed both his production and leadership, which led to them limping into the final stretch of the season. But still, they logged strong showings in the Big 12 tournament, as Dominique Diomande and Khadim Mboup have brought sparks off the bench recently. As BYU’s starting big, Keiba Keita will be the man matched up with Ike. The 6-8 senior is a stout defender who averages 7.3 rebounds and 1.72 blocks a night. Keita anchors a squad that is also formidable on the glass, which makes Warley and Grant-Foster significant pieces in this potential game as well. Their defense has been better as of late, but when things do get out of hand for the Cougars, it’s when they aren’t guarding the three-point line well, which isn’t necessarily a strong suit for the Zags. But if GU gets stops and runs in transition to open up looks from multiple spots on the floor, its former conference rival is susceptible to allowing extended runs. ### 11-seed Texas, Possible Round of 32 **Record**: 19-14, 9-9 SEC (10th Place); Lost in First Round of Conference Tournament Eking out a 68-66 win over NC State in the First Four, the Longhorns officially advanced to the NCAA Tournament, and if they beat BYU on Thursday, could face Gonzaga in the second round. Before beating the Wolfpack on Tuesday, Texas had lost five of its previous six games, so it’s hoping to get hot at the right time for a March run. Playing in the SEC, the Longhorns played three conference opponents that fell to the Bulldogs: aforementioned Alabama, defeating the Crimson Tide 92-88 on January 10; Oklahoma, with which they split two meetings; and an 85-80 defeat at Kentucky. Texas also lost to Arizona State 87-80 back on November 24, a team the Zags knocked off 77-65 in Tempe. The sub-70 point performance in the first round notwithstanding, the Longhorns are another team with a high-octane offense, sitting at 18th in offensive rating on the season. Reliant on running sets in the half-court, the Longhorns take their time on offense, running the shot clock down and often getting to the charity stripe. They drew the second-most fouls per game in the country and grabbed a lot of offensive boards as well. But they really struggle on the other end, coming in as the 97th-ranked defense, fouling frequently without forcing many turnovers. Ball security has been a strength for the Bulldogs and should continue if these two teams were to square off on Saturday. Combo guard Dailyn Swain is Texas’ main offensive contributor, scoring 17.7 points a contest on 54.3% shooting from the field, one of four Longhorns who average at least 13 points per game. Swain also led his team in rebounding (7.6). Another name to watch is 7-0 Matas Vokietaitis, a beast in the paint that finished the year making 62% of his field goals. A solid defender as well, his potential matchup with Ike would be interesting. Giving the ball to him when they need a bucket, 6-5 lefty Tramon Mark has drained several late-game jumpers in his career, including the game-winner over NC State. And 6-1 senior Jordan Pope rounds out the Longhorns’ main weapons, making 37% of his shots from distance, but his production can be very streaky. Texas nearly let a late lead slip away on Tuesday, as the Wolfpack’s desperate full-court pressing led to several game-swinging turnovers. Bringing pressure on inbounds and when the ball is being brought up the floor is a strategy GU taps into at times, and the tactic could be dialed up based on the Longhorns’ handling of it. A common trend between these three teams is the importance of winning the battle of the boards and owning the area inside. This season, Gonzaga has played a style that bodes well for those in-game scenarios, and now, it’s time for the experienced, versatile Bulldogs to continue executing that in the postseason with sights on a long March run.