After reaching the Elite Eight two previous times, Gonzaga reached its first national title game in 2016-17.
After its best season in program history, Gonzaga men's basketball returned to McCarthy Athletic Center to kick off the start of the 2017-18 season.
Gonzaga hosted its annual Numerica Kraziness in the Kennel event Saturday night, a year after it reached the Final Four for the first time in program history. The Bulldogs finished with a 37-2 (17-1 West Coast Conferece) mark, falling to North Carolina 71-65 in the national championship game.
MORE: College basketball's tradition of Midnight Madness
The Bulldogs had reached the Elite Eight on two other occasions (1999, 2015) but finally broke through last year, easily cruising past Xavier 83-59 to reach the Final Four. A mid-major program that's been on the national radar for more than a decade, Gonzaga finally added a Final Four banner of its own that will forever fly in Spokane, Washington.
Some shots from @numerica #KrazinessInTheKennel pic.twitter.com/yRtMqD89QV
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) October 8, 2017
Sneak peek at the locker room update pic.twitter.com/4GWzAfZMdW
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) October 5, 2017
Like most programs' variations of Midnight Madness, Gonzaga dazzled fans with player and coach introductions, as well as 3-point and dunk contests to give the fans a taste of what's in store as the Bulldogs begin their quest for a sixth-straight WCC title. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie captured some of the high-flying acts below.
Take flight pic.twitter.com/Tw9pi0WCwV
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) October 8, 2017
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We’ve got a Mom Dunk from Corey Kispert.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 7, 2017
No, really, he brought out his mom for the dunk. She nailed it. pic.twitter.com/Ok7djB9qZ2
Brandon Clarke is out here dunking at the Gonzaga Dunk Contest. pic.twitter.com/fGxJbzH3dy
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 7, 2017
Before the basketball activities, Gonzaga fans had the opportunity to take pictures with the West Regional Champion trophy outside of the arena before doors opened at 3 p.m. PT.
The line is growing on the south end for @numerica #KrazinessInTheKennel pic.twitter.com/mrgfTBDVMU
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) October 7, 2017
time with the pic.twitter.com/XEQbl0BOID
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) October 7, 2017
Gonzaga opens its 2017-18 season on Nov. 10 at home against Texas Southern.
