When Gonzaga stumbled at unranked Santa Clara last Thursday night, it didn’t just send the Zags tumbling out of the AP Top 25 for the first time in seven-plus years.
It also put another hard-earned, more significant streak in increased peril.
Ever since 1999, when then-head coach Dan Monson launched Gonzaga with an improbable Elite Eight run, the Zags have been an NCAA tournament fixture. Assistant coach Mark Few took over after Monson left for Minnesota that offseason and led Gonzaga to the NCAA tournament every ensuing season.
Overlooked recruits fueled Gonzaga’s first Cinderella runs.