Twitter was abuzz as the Gonzaga Bulldogs reach the Final Four with a victory over the Xavier Musketeers
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have had a tortured March history in recent years. After becoming a tournament darling in the early 2000s with a series of quality teams and deep runs, popular sentiment has turned against the ‘Zags in recent years. With some early exits combined with high seeds earned in weak conferences, some of the hate was certainly deserved.
But the Bulldogs are breaking through this year. After earning a 1-seed following a 32-1 record to cap the pre-NCAA Tournament season, Gonzaga has finally reached the Final Four. They got there with a blowout victory over the Xavier Musketeers, and will face the winner of the Florida-South Carolina game for the right to play in the national championship game. With their first Final Four appearance in program history, they’ve officially thrown the ‘deep tournament run’ monkey off their back. In the wake of the victory, Twitter had plenty to say.
Jay Bilas grew a beard in record time.
With Gonzaga's trip the the Final Four, looks like The Bilastrator is growing a beard. I pay up. @KarnowskisBeard pic.twitter.com/J50ty0HsGQ
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 26, 2017
Kenny Mayne focused on the important stuff
Percentage of people able to pronounce Gonzaga and Spokane continues to increase.
— Kenny Mayne (@Kenny_Mayne) March 25, 2017
Tim Cowlishaw lamented the damage done to his bracket, with Gonzaga’s first Final Four appearance.
Scratch "Never pick Gonzaga for Final Four" from bracket strategy. Which leaves me with...nothing.
— Tim Cowlishaw (@TimCowlishaw) March 26, 2017
Luke Winn with the rare ‘actual analysis’ instead of ‘can’t believe Gonzaga made it smh’
Fans were super happy:
GONZAGA IS GOING TO THE FINAL FOUR. LIVE LIFE. LOVE LIFE. THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
— Slipper Still Fits (@slipperstillfit) March 26, 2017
To every Gonzaga hater: pic.twitter.com/NutkkAZfKi
— Nathan Smith (@NathanAVSmith) March 26, 2017
No one can say anything to Mark Few and the Gonzaga program anymore. The one knock critics had is gone. Enjoy it Zags fans.
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) March 26, 2017
FINAL
— Gonzaga Kennel Club (@ZagKennelClub) March 26, 2017
Gonzaga: 83
Xavier: 59
FIRST. EVER. FINAL 4 #WitnessHistory
Some made flawed observations, perhaps not realizing that West Virginia was one of the best teams in the country for most of the year (and it’s not Gonzaga’s fault Arizona went down).
Average seed of the four teams Gonzaga played on the way the Final Four: 10. #blessed
— Not Jerry Tipton (@NotJerryTipton) March 26, 2017
Gonzaga can get to the championship game without playing a top 3 seed. Life ain't fair kids. But this shade is.
— Reese Waters (@reesewaters) March 26, 2017
In the end, Gonzaga has made the first Final Four in program history. And, as they’ll play a seed no higher than a 4th in the Final Four, they’ll have an excellent chance to advance to the national title game. Haters will always continue to hate, but it’s really tough to argue with a national title appearance – and even harder to shout down a national title win.
Gonzaga’s now just two wins away from sealing a place in history. Can only imagine what Twitter will have to say if that happens.