The last time Gonzaga failed to make the NCAA tournament’s second weekend, Donald Trump was best known as host of The Apprentice, Pharrell’s “Happy” was unavoidable on the radio and TikTok didn’t yet exist.
That record-tying streak came to a hard-fought halt Saturday night in Wichita.
Houston denied eighth-seeded Gonzaga a 10th straight appearance in the Sweet 16, opening a double-digit lead midway through the first half and weathering surge after surge from the Zags. What was once a 14-point margin dwindled to one in the final seconds before the Cougars steadied themselves and escaped with an 81-76 victory.