No hangover for Gonzaga preparing for UConn in Elite Eight

JUDAH NEWBY, 750 The Game

In a city known for its thrills, Thursday night’s finish between Gonzaga and UCLA provided one that will not soon be forgotten.

JULIAN STRAWTHER FOR THE WIN

GONZAGA IS GOING TO THE ELITE 8 pic.twitter.com/UYWfOMZKeJ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 24, 2023

The Zags are in the Elite Eight. They will face UConn in the West regional final on Saturday (5:49 p.m., 750 The Game).

Julian Mininsohn, sports director at KXLY News in Spokane, is covering the Zags tournament run. He was inside T-Mobile Arena to witness another Zags-Bruins classic.

“Totally unbelievable,” Mininsohn told John Canzano on 750 The Game on Friday. “Everyone was in awe of what that game was.”

Given the physical and emotional toll a game like that can have on a team, Canzano asked if a hangover of some kind could impact Gonzaga with a short turn-around.

“It seemed like today they were well-rested, they’re ready to go,” Mininsohn said. “When you have guys like Strawther or (Drew) Timme who have been part of these games – and they were part of the Jalen Suggs shot in Indianapolis against UCLA two years ago – they’re kind of used to that. I don’t think Mark Few’s going to let them celebrate too long.”

UConn, the region’s 4-seed, steamrolled 8-seed Arkansas in their regional semifinal 88-65. The Huskies are 2-point betting favorites over the Bulldogs.

Listen to the full interview with Mininsohn here, and catch John Canzano deliver the Bald Faced Truth weekdays 3-6 p.m. exclusively in Portland on 750 The Game.