Xavier Musketeers

Gonzaga’s Josh Perkins swiped a pass and was racing downcourt for his first college dunk. Teammates constantly needle Perkins because the 6-3 sophomore guard hasn’t dunked in a game, but that was about to change when he crossed halfcourt. As he closed in on the basket he found an unexpected defender: A young lady sweeping the lane.

Xavier had a defensive game plan against Gonzaga: Let the Bulldogs shoot 3-pointers.

Johnathan Williams elevated his play with each successive NCAA Tournament game and on Saturday was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Region.

Gonzaga wasn’t at its best while winning its first three games in the NCAA tournament. But the Zags were on Saturday when it mattered the most. They looked like the November through February Zags, the squad that steamrolled opponents with precision offense and suffocating defense.

The key moment, offensive player of the game and defensive player of the game from Gonzaga’s 83-59 win over Xavier on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

Of all the NCAA’s dubious rules – and unless this is your time reading an article about college sports you know there are some doozies – the cruelest is the one that states losing teams face the media first.

“Gonzaga is headed to the Final Four.” And with that Brian Anderson statement seconds after the Bulldogs’ 83-59 Elite Eight victory over Xavier ended, Zags fans around the nation could finally breathe.

Gonzaga knocked on the Final Four door twice before. The Zags didn’t bother knocking Saturday. They kicked the door down, trampling Xavier 83-59 in the West Regional final along the way and delivering the biggest milestone yet in the proud program’s history.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – FINAL: Mark Few and Gonzaga have finally done it.