Gonzaga guard Jordan Mathews (4) looks to pass during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) is fouled by Santa Clara forward Nate Kratch (43) during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams (3) takes a shot during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Zach Collins pumps his fist after nailing a shot late in the game against Santa Clara in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams scores over Santa Clara guard Kai Healy in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) shoots for two during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) dribbles the ball as Santa Clara guard Kai Healy (10) defends during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) bowls over Santa Clara center Emmanuel Ndumanya in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss hits a big shot late in the game by Santa Clara guard Kai Healy in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) hits a 3-pointer late in the second half to put Santa Clara out of reach of a victory during a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Silas Melson is rejected at the rim and no foul called against Santa Clara guard Jarvis Pugh in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) and Santa Clara forward Nate Kratch (43) compete for a rebound during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga coach Mark Few tells Przemek Karnowski he wants number four against Santa Clara in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) shoots a fader during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) heads to the basket during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Santa Clara forward Nate Kratch (43) dunks the ball during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge (23) falls as Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) defends during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Josh Perkins (13) tries to stop a shot by Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge (23) in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Zach Collins (32) score 2-points during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Zach Collins (32) and Gonzaga guard Silas Melson (0) try to box in Santa Clara forward Nate Kratch (43) during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) and his teammates roar with delight after Nigel Williams-Goss hit a shot to put the Zags up by 10 point against Santa Clara in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Zach Collins (32) blocks a shot by Santa Clara guard Kai Healy (10) during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Zach Collins swaps a shot by Santa Clara guard Kai Healy in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Jordan Mathews (4) looks to the basket as Santa Clara guard Matt Hauser (12) defends during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) takes a shot as Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge (23) defends during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga head coach Mark Few talks with Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) and Gonzaga guard Jordan Mathews (4) during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Jordan Mathews (4) shoots from 3-point range as Santa Clara guard Matt Hauser (12) defends during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) shoots the ball as Santa Clara forward Nate Kratch (43) defends during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) defends Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge (23) at the rim in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
In a key play, Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) blocks a shot by Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge (23) during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga centr Przemek Karnowski swats a shot attempt by Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Zach Collins (32) shoots a 3-pointer during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski rejects a shot by Santa Clara guard Matt Hauser in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams (3) and Santa Clara forward Jarvis Pugh (4) compete for a rebound during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
After falling, Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) is helped up by Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams (3) during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) defends against a shot by Santa Clara center Emmanuel Ndumanya (50) during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) heads to the basket during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) shoots the ball during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) eyes a rebound during the second half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams (3) and center Przemek Karnowski battle Santa Clara center Emmanuel Ndumanya for a rebound in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Zach Collins (32) tries to defend Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge (23) in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga was all hopped up before playing Santa Clara in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
The Zags starters circle up before the start of the game with Santa Clara, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie (33) grabs a rebound during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss is fouled by Santa Clara guard Matt Hauser in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) dribbles the ball as Santa Clara guard Evan Wardlow (1) defends during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams (3) tangles with Santa Clara guard Jared Brownridge (23) in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) shoots the ball during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Zach Collins (32) defends against a shot by Santa Clara forward Jarvis Pugh (4) during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams (3) grabs a rebound during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie (33) grabs a rebound away from Santa Clara center Emmanuel Ndumanya (50) during the first half of a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie wrestles with Santa Clara forward Jarvis Pugh (4), Emmanuel Ndumanya (50) and Evan Wardlow (1) in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga forward Zach Collins is wrestled to the ground on a rebound by Santa Clara center Emmanuel Ndumanya in their WCC semi-final game, March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski (24) and Gonzaga forward Johnathan Williams (3) heads off the court after defeating Santa Clara 77-68 during a WCC Tournament semifinal basketball game, Mon., March 6, 2017, at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Colin Mulvany/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Gonzaga plays Santa Clara in the WCC semifinals, Monday, March 6, 2017, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tuesday’s West Coast Conference men’s basketball semifinal between Gonzaga and Santa Clara was stopped after a couple possessions when it was determined the teams were using a women’s ball.
Mark Few met Jared Brownridge in the handshake line and the two took a long moment for a hug and a handshake and some claps on the shoulder, and especially some warm words. During which, presumably, the Gonzaga coach offered up a letter of recommendation.
The 3-point shot was a great equalizer for Santa Clara for a good portion of Monday night’s WCC tournament semifinal against Gonzaga. But it’s still tough to be beat high-percentage shots taken from the shadow of the rim.
Dick Vitale has seen Gonzaga enough this season to come prepared. The veteran ESPN announcer had pages and pages of material ready when the Zags blew out Santa Clara in the West Conference semifinals Monday night. At least he joked he did. But he didn’t need it. That’s because, like the Gonzaga games Vitale broadcast in Florida in November, this one was close.
There aren’t many sure things in life but Gonzaga has made reaching the WCC tournament final – and the NCAA tournament, for that matter – nearly look routine. But there was nothing routine or easy about the fourth-ranked Zags 77-68 over scrappy Santa Clara on Monday in the WCC tournament semifinals.