PORTLAND — Gonzaga Bulldogs: SEC killer?
That was news to the Texas basketball locker room Friday,
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Texas guard Tramon Mark (12) reacts after the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against BYU, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Portland, Ore.
Craig Mitchelldyer/Associated Press
The Zags enter Saturday’s West Region showdown with a 3-0 record against the burly SEC this season with wins over Oklahoma, Alabama and Kentucky. All came by double digits including a 95-59 steamrolling of the Wildcats at the Music City Madness Tournament in Nashville back in December.
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“I didn’t know about that,” said guard Chendall Weaver. “I guess we have to put on for the SEC, one of the best conferences in the world.”
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The Horns were focused but the afterglow of Thursday’s 79-71 first round win over BYU stll hung in the air. After enjoying a spirited shootaround at Moda Center aka the home of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, they were enjoying a chill Friday with one another.
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Backup forward Nic Coadie — a great personality — explained the nuances of college football to Round 1 hero Matas Vokietaitis, who fielded questions from reporters about his free throw shooting. Others had their eyes glued to their cell phones. A few student workers took in the final minutes of Utah State’s win over Villanova.
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Meanwhile, word of No. 3 seed Gonzaga’s recent dominance of SEC opponents started to make its way around the room because, eh, this scribe was the one spilling the tea. When I informed Tramon Mark — he of the late heroics against North Carolina State in the First Four play-in gme and the game-clinching free throws against the Cougars — of the league’s struggles against Gonzaga, he flashed a wry grin.
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“We’ll see about that (Saturday),” he said.
Texas head coach Sean Miller reacts on the sideline during the second half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament against BYU, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Portland, Ore.
Amanda Loman/Associated Press
Gonzaga’s record aside, Mark and his teammates believe navigating the SEC slate is what toughened them up and put this group in position to reach the Sweet 16 and perhaps beyond with a win over the favored Bulldogs.
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“It’s a crazy schedule in the SEC,” Mark said. “So just playing in a style like this in March Madness…it’s what we’re built for.”
Forward Cam Heide knows a bit about Gonzaga having been a part of the 2024 Purdue team that beat the Zags twice, including an 80-68 win for the Midwest Regional title that earned the Boilermakers a trip to the Final Four where they eventually lost to Connecticut in the national championship game.
“Their record speaks for itself with all the tournament appearances they’ve made and how far they’ve gone in the tournament,” Heide said. “They’ve had some great teams so it’s one of those things where we need to execute the game plan and do what we do to put ourselves in great position.”
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Even coach Sean Miller’s eyebrows lurched toward Canada when I told him outside the locker room of the Zag’s spotless record against teams Texas went 2-2 against.
“I didn’t know either,” he said. “Gonzaga is a very good team. They’re 31-3 and they have the seed they have because they earned it. So no matter what, we have to play a great game and be at our best to have a chance to advance.”
Texas center Matas Vokietaitis (8) blocks a dunk by NC State’s Quadir Copeland during the first half in the First Four game of the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament held March 17, 2026 at UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio.
Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Gonzaga coach Mark Few has led the program to a pair of Final Fours but is still in search of that elusive first title. When asked to describe the style of play his team has encountered over the years against SEC competition, he went with the old credo that size matters.
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“Great athletes with great size, which is what Texas has,” he said. “They have (Vokietaitis) in the middle and they have some big-time wings that have size and athleticism. That’s what the SEC is known for.”
The guys in the desert have installed the Bulldogs as a touchdown favorite but this has the feel of a nail biter.
We can all agree that Texas is playing inspired ball and will walk onto the court with zero fear of the higher seed.
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Heide provided the perfect reply when asked if Gonzaga’s recent success against the SEC provides any extra incentive.
“Our motivation is if we lose, we’re done.”