Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
Every early March they make their migration to Las Vegas from Spokane, Washington.
These Gonzaga basketball fans clad in red and dark blue always find their way to the Orleans Arena off Tropicana Avenue a couple of miles west of the Strip.
It’s the West Coast Conference tournament at the Orleans, but it’s Gonzaga’s world where college basketball exists in Las Vegas.
Sure, there are five college hoops leagues staging their postseason tournaments in Las Vegas.
But Gonzaga is the headliner and their fans pack the Orleans Arena. Nothing against the Oregon States, Cal Polys and Fresno States in the various tourneys in Vegas.
But the Zags are the Top Dogs of Las Vegas this week.
Gonzaga has its usual automatic ticket to the WCC semis, where the Bulldogs were demolishing the San Francisco Dons, 47-27, at halftime.
Final score: Gonzaga 81 San Francisco 71
It’s off to the WCC finals Tuesday at 6 PM PT/Vegas time for Mark Few’s team.
PSA