Gonzaga Basketball Loses Its Sweet 16 for the First Time Since 2014 — Can the Zags Return to National Prominence in the 2025–26 Season With Their Current Roster?
For the first time in over a decade, Gonzaga basketball found itself watching the second weekend of March Madness from home. The Bulldogs’ run of consistency — a stretch that included eight straight Sweet 16 appearances — came to an abrupt end last March, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering whether the program’s reign atop college basketball’s elite had finally reached its breaking point.
But if history has shown anything about Gonzaga, it’s that this program never stays down for long. Under Mark Few, the Bulldogs have evolved from a charming mid-major Cinderella story to one of the nation’s most stable basketball powers. And though the 2024–25 season ended in disappointment, the coming year offers something equally powerful — renewal, depth, and hunger.
As the Zags prepare for the 2025–26 campaign, the question is clear: Can Gonzaga bounce back to national prominence with its current roster and reclaim its seat among the game’s elite?
The End of an Era — and the Wake-Up Call
When Gonzaga fell short of the Sweet 16 in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the loss felt almost surreal. For years, March had been Gonzaga’s playground — the program’s annual proving ground, where they cemented their identity as a perennial contender.
From 2015 to 2024, the Bulldogs reached:
- Two national championship games (2017, 2021),
- Four Elite Eight appearances,
- And an unmatched run of consistency unmatched by most Power Five programs.
Yet last March, the Zags looked… human. Their typically fluid offense sputtered at critical moments, their defense struggled to contain faster backcourts, and their once-unshakable composure seemed tested by the weight of expectation.
It wasn’t a collapse, but a correction — the kind that great programs experience before reinventing themselves. For Mark Few, the loss became a moment of reflection rather than regret.
“You can’t dominate forever,” Few said after the season. “You evolve. You build again. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again.”
The offseason that followed has been filled with purpose — players returning, young stars emerging, and a coaching staff recommitting to the fundamentals that made Gonzaga special in the first place.
The Core Returns: Experience Meets Opportunity
One of Gonzaga’s greatest assets heading into the 2025–26 season is continuity. While the program saw some expected turnover — including the graduation of veteran forward Anton Watson Jr. and the transfer of a reserve guard — the heart of the roster remains intact.
Leading the way is Ryan Nembhard, the dynamic point guard who transferred from Creighton and became the Zags’ offensive conductor last season. Though his debut campaign in Spokane had highs and lows, his leadership and tempo control give Gonzaga one of the most experienced backcourt generals in the nation.
Alongside him is Dusty Stromer, a versatile 6’6” wing who emerged as one of the Bulldogs’ most reliable two-way players. Stromer’s evolution — from role player to go-to scorer — could define Gonzaga’s offensive identity next season.
Then there’s Graham Ike, the bruising forward who anchored Gonzaga’s frontcourt with physicality and finesse. After averaging nearly a double-double, Ike has made it clear he’s returning for one more run — a decision that immediately boosts Gonzaga’s national ceiling.
“We’re not done,” Ike said during summer workouts. “That loss last March still burns. We’ve got unfinished business.”
Add in Ben Gregg, a high-IQ stretch big who continues to develop into a reliable shooter and rebounder, and Gonzaga’s frontcourt remains one of the most balanced in the West Coast Conference — and perhaps the nation.
The Emerging Youth Movement
While the veterans provide stability, the Bulldogs’ youth movement injects fresh life into the rotation. Sophomore guard Braden Huff, who showed flashes of brilliance in limited minutes, is expected to take on a much larger role. His shooting range and confidence in transition could make him a difference-maker.
Incoming recruits — led by 2025 five-star combo guard Jack Kayil and athletic forward Lucas Greene — also bring energy and versatility. Kayil, a 6’5” German guard known for his creative playmaking and defensive instincts, has drawn early comparisons to a young Jalen Suggs for his composure and leadership qualities.
Assistant coach Brian Michaelson praised the young players’ maturity and readiness to contribute early.
“They’re not coming in to learn quietly,” Michaelson said. “They’re coming in to compete, to challenge our veterans, and to raise the standard. That’s the kind of energy this group needs.”
With this balance of experience and youth, Gonzaga’s roster looks deeper and more versatile than it has in several seasons — a key ingredient in returning to national contention.
Recalibrating the System: Defense First
For much of the 2024–25 season, Gonzaga’s offensive efficiency remained elite — ranked top-10 nationally in field goal percentage and assists per game. But the cracks showed on the defensive end, particularly against athletic guards and teams that thrived in transition.
Mark Few and his staff have made defense the top offseason priority. Reports from summer practices indicate that Gonzaga is shifting toward a more aggressive, switch-heavy scheme, emphasizing communication and speed rather than size alone.
Few explained the rationale behind the adjustment:
“We’ve always been known for our spacing, passing, and execution — that’s our DNA. But at this level, your ability to defend, rotate, and disrupt separates good teams from great ones. That’s where we have to grow.”
Players like Stromer and Nembhard, both strong perimeter defenders, will play crucial roles in that transformation. Meanwhile, Ike and Gregg are expected to anchor the paint with improved rim protection and rebounding focus.
The renewed emphasis on defense mirrors Gonzaga’s strategic shifts in previous rebuilds — most notably between 2016 and 2017, when a defensive overhaul led to their first-ever national title game appearance.
The West Coast Conference Landscape
The Zags have dominated the West Coast Conference (WCC) for nearly two decades, but the 2025–26 season could prove more competitive than usual.
Saint Mary’s remains a perennial challenger under Randy Bennett, returning star guard Aidan Mahaney and one of the conference’s stingiest defenses. Meanwhile, San Francisco and Santa Clara continue to rise with deep transfer classes and upgraded facilities.
Still, even in the face of improved competition, Gonzaga remains the standard. Their consistency in recruiting, development, and coaching depth sets them apart. The Bulldogs have captured 21 of the last 24 WCC titles — a record that underscores their sustained dominance.
As analyst Seth Davis put it:
“Every year people ask if Gonzaga’s run is over. And every year, they remind us why they’re the gold standard in mid-major excellence.”
The National Outlook: Can the Zags Return to the Top 10?
The question of Gonzaga’s national relevance extends beyond conference play. Can this roster legitimately contend with the powerhouses of the Big Ten, SEC, and ACC?
On paper, the answer is yes — but with caveats.
The Bulldogs’ 2025–26 success will hinge on three factors:
- Health and depth — avoiding the injuries that plagued last season’s late run.
- Perimeter defense — limiting the open looks that cost them crucial tournament games.
- Late-game composure — rediscovering the poise that once made them unbeatable in crunch time.
If those elements align, Gonzaga has the potential to return to the national Top 10 — a familiar place for Few’s teams. Early preseason projections already rank the Zags between No. 12 and No. 15 nationally, with upward potential depending on player development.
Few remains characteristically calm about external expectations.
“Rankings don’t win games,” he said. “Consistency does. We’ll focus on what we can control — competing every day and representing Gonzaga the right way.”
Leadership, Legacy, and the Mark Few Effect
Even as retirement rumors continue to swirl, Mark Few’s presence looms large. His blend of steadiness, humility, and adaptability has kept Gonzaga relevant through every era of college basketball change — from NIL to the transfer portal.
Few’s connection with players remains his greatest asset. He doesn’t just recruit athletes; he recruits believers — players who buy into a system built on family, accountability, and passion.
In that sense, the 2025–26 season isn’t just about chasing wins — it’s about sustaining a legacy.
“Coach Few built something bigger than a team,” Nembhard said. “It’s a standard — one we all carry. We’re not rebuilding; we’re reloading.”
That belief has kept Gonzaga in the national conversation for two decades — and it’s what will carry them forward again.
The Road Ahead
Gonzaga’s non-conference schedule for the upcoming season will test their mettle early, with matchups against Kansas, Baylor, and Tennessee already confirmed. These games will serve as litmus tests for whether the Zags are ready to compete at the national level again.
If the team gels early — blending veteran leadership with youthful energy — they could reemerge as a March contender by season’s end.
Analyst Jay Bilas summed it up perfectly:
“Every time people think Gonzaga’s done, they come back smarter, hungrier, and sharper. That’s what great programs do. And Gonzaga is one of the great programs.”
Conclusion: The Zags’ Redemption Road
The 2025–26 season represents more than just another campaign for Gonzaga basketball — it’s a statement year. A chance to remind the basketball world that one disappointing March doesn’t define a dynasty.
With Ryan Nembhard’s leadership, Graham Ike’s interior power, Dusty Stromer’s two-way growth, and the infusion of young talent like Jack Kayil, Gonzaga possesses all the tools to return to the Sweet 16 — and beyond.
The road back won’t be easy. But if there’s one program built on resilience and reinvention, it’s Gonzaga.
“We’ve been counted out before,” Few said with a quiet smile during a recent practice. “But that’s usually when we’re at our best.”
In Spokane, the lights of the McCarthey Athletic Center still shine bright — symbols of a legacy that refuses to dim. The streak may have ended, but the fire has not.
The Zags are ready to rise
