Gonzaga basketball season ends; faces future questions

Gonzaga's college basketball season ended with a close loss to Houston in the NCAA Tournament. This defeat marked the end of a nine-year streak of reaching the Sweet 16. The Bulldogs had previously been one of the most consistent teams in the tournament, alongside North Carolina and Duke. The Zags' chances to advance could have been better. Regular-season losses to Oregon State and Santa Clara hurt their seeding. These defeats caused Gonzaga to receive a No. 8 seed, forcing them to face a challenging No. 1 seed in the second round. Had they won just one of those games, they would have likely been a No. 7 seed and could still be in the tournament. With their exit from the tournament, Gonzaga faces important decisions about its future as changes are happening in college sports. The NCAA is set to implement revenue sharing, and Gonzaga is preparing to join a restructured Pac-12 conference. This move is seen as necessary for the program's long-term success. By joining the Pac-12, Gonzaga will have access to stronger competition, which can improve their overall performance and rankings. Unlike many bigger programs that must share revenue with football teams, Gonzaga can invest all its resources into basketball. Gonzaga must make smart choices with the incoming revenue. There may be pressure to distribute funds across the athletic department. However, the school needs to prioritize its basketball program to compete at the highest level. Success in this next chapter is vital for the future of Gonzaga athletics. The next few years will be crucial for the program.