Drew Timme has known UCLA’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. for years, dating back to their days as prep standouts. They were roommates at the Ballislife All-American game and caught up at the ESPYS when Gonzaga’s pulsating 93-90 overtime against the Bruins in the 2021 Final Four won “Best Game” award. Their friendship is taking Thursday night off when third-seeded Gonzaga tangles with No. 2 UCLA at T-Mobile Arena.

LAS VEGAS – Drew Timme had a sense of what was coming when he saw the caller ID flash across the phone. 

LAS VEGAS – Liberty High School. Orleans Arena. T-Mobile Arena. The list of gymnasiums with a 702 area code that have played a role in Julian Strawther’s career is long, and only getting longer.

LAS VEGAS – When it’s your kid on the court, every moment matters just a bit more.

The fact that Adam Morrison’s tears created a flood of mockery seems one of the historic low moments for that faction of wrong-headed sports observers.

It’s become a popular route for Gonzaga players upon checking out of games. They’ll trade words with Mark Few. They’ll go down the line of folding chairs exchanging high-fives and fist bumps with teammates. Finally, they’ll stop at the end of the bench and pull up a seat next to the team’s first-year student assistant.

The Zags have certainly seen the nastier side of social media, which presents a double-edged sword for student-athletes. They’ve grown up in the social media age, so they’re accustomed to adoration that typically follows a good performance and biting criticism that rolls in if they or their team have a subpar showing. No topic appears to be off limits.

Gonzaga’s Drew Timme has been named one of four finalists for the Naismith Trophy, presented annually to college basketball’s most outstanding player.

When TCU took a five-point lead over Gonzaga at halftime of Sunday night’s West regional game, there likely were some nervous bettors who put money on the Bulldogs.

DENVER – As Drew Timme put it in a postgame interview, Gonzaga spent too much time “bobbing and weaving” as the Bulldogs fell into a 10-point hole in the first half of Sunday’s game against TCU.

DENVER – Over the course of 40 minutes in Denver’s high altitude, Drew Timme was the Gonzaga player consistently making the hustle plays, spilling his sweat in the post and expending the energy that was needed to match the physicality and athleticism of TCU.