The #1 team in the country had won 21 straight games.  Including the WCC semifinal, Gonzaga was 17-0 against conference opponents, with the closest game being a 12 point victory at San Diego.  But at the end of the day, college basketball games are not played on paper, they are played on the court.

The Saint Mary’s Gaels have beaten the #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs 60-47 in Las Vegas to take the WCC Conference Tournament Championship and book their ticket to the dance.  With the game close at 40-39, Jordan Ford and Jordan Hunter led the Gaels to a 10-4 run to expand the lead to 7 with just 6 minutes left, and St. Mary’s managed to play smothering defense to make sure the Zags didn’t make any heroic final runs.

The Gaels looked like they were squarely on the bubble – their NET ranking was 37th, but they were only 1-6 in Quadrant 1 games (and that was a road victory against New Mexico State).  But Quadrant 1 wins do not matter if you win your Conference Tournament.  The Gaels are dancing – with what is likely going to be one of the most stunning upsets of Championship Week!!!!!   Congratulations to Saint Mary’s – the WCC Champions!!!!