Zags prepare for Big Dance in Portland

PORTLAND, Wash. — We’re just hours away from the number No. 1 seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs tip-off in Portland, where they will take on Georgia State.

For the first time in a long time, tens of thousands of fans will be able to see the Big Dance in person and in full throttle.

On Wednesday, the Zags warmed up in Portland for a practice open to fans and students.

It’s been two years since the Zags and their fans have been able to exchange their traditional connection of energy in person in the March Madness tournament.

“We care so much about the basketball team and we’re just so excited to be here and support, and that’s so different from a cardboard cut,” one fan said.

The fan was talking about cardboard cutouts, which showed images of students and fans in seats at last year’s Final Four.

KIRO 7 reported on the surreal surrounding of silence because the pandemic limited attendance to only 10% capacity.

“Without the fans for two years, I really don’t even know how they continued like they did. So, to have that support, hearing that support has to be huge,” Myrna Stone said.

For Coach Mark Few, it is a homecoming. He grew up not far from the Moda Center.

“It’s great to be able to come to Portland. We’ve obviously had some great memories here. Got a lot — myself being an Oregonian and players from Oregon and just some real, real, wonderful connections down here,” Few said.

The student-athletes have told us since they were selected to play in Portland, they expect the Zag Nation to bring a force of intensity in Oregon that some of the players have never felt before in the Big Dance.

“Zags show up all over the country, but especially, especially closer to Spokane. It’ll be exciting, it’s a close drive so,” another fan said.

KIRO 7′s Gary Horcher asked, “(Are) they gonna tear the roof off the place tomorrow?” She replied: “Oh yeah. I mean one of my favorite ones is ‘Tear The Roof Off this Sucker,’ and I think that’s what we’re gonna do tomorrow.”

The chaos of the Kennel should be loud and clear in the arena when the Zags hit the basketball floor.

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