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Gonzaga-Saint Mary's rivalry

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description Gonzaga-Saint Mary's rivalry Overview

The Gonzaga–Saint Mary's rivalry is a men's college basketball rivalry between Gonzaga University and Saint Mary's College of California, both members of the West Coast Conference. Since the late 2000s, the two programs have frequently dominated WCC regular season and tournament play, often meeting in the conference championship game. The rivalry is known for its consistently competitive matchups and contrasting program profiles, despite the small market sizes of both schools.

help Gonzaga-Saint Mary's rivalry FAQ

Why is the Gonzaga and Saint Mary's basketball rivalry so intense?

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Saint Mary's Gaels have dominated the West Coast Conference (WCC) in men's college basketball for over two decades. Their rivalry is intense because their matchups frequently determine the winner of the annual regular-season conference title.

When did the Gonzaga-Saint Mary's rivalry really begin?

While the teams have played each other since the 1970s, the modern rivalry truly ignited in the late 2000s. The hiring of Randy Bennett at Saint Mary's elevated the Gaels' program, allowing them to consistently challenge Gonzaga's dominance in the WCC.

Where do the Gonzaga and Saint Mary's basketball games take place?

The teams play their home games at two highly intimidating venues: the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington (Gonzaga), and the University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, California (Saint Mary's).

Has Saint Mary's ever beaten Gonzaga in the WCC tournament?

Yes, while Gonzaga has won the vast majority of West Coast Conference tournaments, Saint Mary's has pulled off major upsets to secure the automatic NCAA tournament bid. Notable WCC tournament final victories for the Gaels over the Bulldogs occurred in 2010, 2012, and 2019.

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