THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: WCC not the cakewalk it usually is, but Zags have more depth

He’s tried everything to win it all. 

So far, nada. 

Mark Few is headed to the Hall of Fame, but as he steps ever closer to three decades running a powerhouse Gonzaga program, Few sees friends, colleagues and competitors win national titles. 

The Zags have twice been within the final game of that “One Shining Moment.” 

They led North Carolina with just over a minute left in the 2017 title scrap, but — forget bias here, honestly — some obvious Tar Heel officiating decided the championship. 

The Zags reached the 2021 finale with a record of 31-0, yet that dream died in a hail of Baylor shooting, boards, and defense. 

Cutting down those nets while being drenched in confetti is all that’s left on the checklist – making it official that no small or mid-major program has reached Gonzaga’s heights. 

In fact, it might be BECAUSE the Zags have accomplished everything else, that Few, his staff and players hunger so much for that NCAA championship banner to hang forever above the faithful at the McCarthey Athletic Center. 

Now, here we are again. 

The Zags sit at 17-1, once again loaded with talent, enjoying a single-digit perch in every ranking, working toward one goal. 

Just one. 

IN MOST other seasons, the Zags have overwhelmed the West Coast Conference, then fought their way to the NCAA top 16 and above. 

It hasn’t been quite enough. 

Yet. 

One thing, at least, will change this time around — as Gonzaga departs the WCC for the newly rebuilt Pac-12. 

It would almost be a dream if the Zags finally won a title in their 45th and final year competing in the WCC. 

This is their last shot at joining Bill Russell and the legendary Dons of San Francisco (1955-56) as the conference’s only national champ. 

Winning the WCC is once again likely, but not a cinch. 

Saint Mary’s is rugged, as usual, and Santa Clara (13-4 prior to facing Gonzaga Thursday night) has developed one of the highest-scoring teams in the country.  

This stretch around the holidays has proved difficult for the Zags in other years, and it’s happened again. 

“The students aren’t on campus, and there are studies,” Few said. “You can get out of rhythm, practice isn’t as sharp, you lose assignments on defense.” 

Newcomer Seattle University shocked the Zags and fought its way to overtime at The Kennel before tiring, and San Diego finished a home game with a flourish, losing just 99-93. 

“We can’t play defense like that,” said post Braden Huff. “That’s not us.” 

The Zags rebounded to whip Loyola Marymount, but the message was clear. 

WCC teams are desperate for one last shot at mighty Gonzaga before it departs for the Pac-12 this coming summer. 

There’s going to be some passion. 

MEANWHILE. 

Few is not exactly dozing off as the program prepares for the Pac-12. 

The “Gonzaga Guru” has stuck to a routine that’s served him well for years — so imagine the surprise when Few changed rotations and juggled lineups this season. 

The Zags look different. 

They ARE different. 

Instead of the comfy seven- or eight-player lineup that has given Gonzaga stability year after year, suddenly Few has reacted to the new look of NIL hoops. 

By the first week of January, the Zags have introduced 10 different starters. 

Sure, we expected to see the big men — Graham Ike and Braden Huff — filling up the post. 

Colgate transfer Braeden Smith was ticketed for the point guard job, but now Spanish import Mario Saint-Supery is slowly taking that spot. 

The rest of the roster gets chopped and changed according to the opposition – and which Zags are cooking at a given time. 

It’s been a while since Few’s had some solid 3-point shooters, but now he can whistle for Steele Venters, Adam Miller, freshman Davis Fogle, Saint-Supery and, for a totally different look, the athleticism and slashing of Tyon Grant-Foster and Jalen Warley. 

There’s talent everywhere, but the trick will be matching players to situations, and keeping opponents on the back foot. 

So. 

How far can this gifted army really go?

It’ll be fun to find out. 

Email: [email protected] 

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens. 

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”