Gonzaga Basketball I'm Ready To Hurt Again

Over a month ago Gonzaga lost what I see as a top 5–7 big in the nation in Braden Huff, given a funky timeline of 4–8 weeks. Then recently, still seeing him on crutches, my postseason expectations as a fan started to shift from Final Four contenders to let's win this last WCC campaign before we ride off into the new Pac-12 in 2026–27. But yet again my Bulldogs, with the leadership of Mark Few, are stringing something together once more.

Before the past decade or so, really Gonzaga for the most part was still a Cinderella, just one that was very consistent. It wasn't until these last 10–12 years where we have been true title contenders with those expectations yearly. So I and many GU fans have been spoiled to say the least. Every year now it's Final Four talk. Well, the same was looked for this year as well with the Graham Ike & Braden Huff tandem, but the loss of Huff, which looks like it could be for the season now, started to give me a little reality check. Then with boots on the ground watching them lose to a Portland Pilots team that is far from any type of postseason play, my expectations for the first time in what feels like forever maybe needed to be adjusted.

As I settled into the mindset of hey, let's win this WCC and then see the matchups in March, all of a sudden the team is getting pulled up by the play of Ike as he dominates inside and out with his shooting. Along with his play you have the two freshmen in Mario Saint-Supery and Davis Fogle getting more confident and talented every week. My expectations are widening yet again. I am ready to hurt in the Madness for 2026, as while the team begins to play better, the problems still sadly glare a bit.

There are two major issues that worry me about this team for the March run. Usually it's the defense historically, but it could be one of our best since the COVID-shortened season. Instead, it's the shooting. As of now we are sitting just outside of the top 170 teams in 3-pt shooting and then 270th for free throws. To win in March we will need improvement out of one or both of these ASAP.

Now no matter what happens I'll be there believing in the moment that this team can go far. With seniors in Jalen Warley, Adam Miller, and Tyon Grant-Foster seeing the game count dwindle, you hope their fight elevates. Then we can hope for miracles on Braden Huff's health changing. The motivation is there as my guys Mark Titus and White Boy Rick write off the Zags. I'm here to stay, it's time we lock in for a surprise run!