The Gonzaga Bulldogs are 14-point favorites in Saturday’s Final Four matchup against UCLA, and deservedly so as the undefeated top overall seed against a team that needed to win a play-in game just to get into the field of 64.
But all the 14-point margin reminds me of is a 13-point lead that the Zags held over the Bruins 15 years ago in a Sweet 16 matchup, an advantage that would not hold over the final seven minutes of the game as UCLA came roaring back, winning in regulation and eventually advancing to the national title game.