In 2017, #United WeZag

So it’s Sunday night.

My bracket, which was pretty much busted since days three and four, was narrowly able to edge out my wife’s in our family bracket challenge.

All of that work.

All of the time.

All of the listening to “experts.”

All for a 1-point win over my wife, who decided to pick teams based off alphabetical order and which mascot she thought was cooler.

That’s the beauty of this tournament.

At this point I still don’t know who won the National Championship, but my intense skepticism and criticism of Gonzaga has actually seemed to work this year as opposed to years past when my expectations and dreams routinely were shattered.

But this year has been so special for this community.

After a months of being divided over politics, sexual orientations, and beliefs, the unity that the Gonzaga Bulldogs have created was the perfect way to clear the air.

I have been in packed rooms (mostly at Best Shots) where you can see the emotions on every person’s face during every second of every Bulldog game.

Clapping during the starting lineups, cheering for every made basket, holding their breath when a player hits the floor, the investment this community has in this team is unrivaled.

Normally, I like to take the side of the opposition, even if it is the minority or unpopular side.

And for the first 90 percent of the tournament I have grilled the Zags.

The early struggle with South Dakota State? I criticized it.

The almost UCLA-esque collapse against Northwestern? The goaltend heard around the world?

I still think that if it hadn’t been for that goaltend/technical combination Gonzaga probably wouldn’t have made the Sweet 16.

I thought that West Virginia was going to be too much.

Xavier picked the wrong time to go cold.

South Carolina’s best player was sick during the lead up to their game.

All of these are valid arguments and criticisms, but every time I have criticized they have answered.

So I’m sitting here in faith that my criticism is somehow fueling this run.

So here it is.

Gonzaga blew a 14-point lead and struggled to rebound against a smaller South Carolina team, they can’t honestly expect to beat a hungry North Carolina team that is the best offensive rebounding team in the country.

When you see me today, I hope you can tell me how wrong I was...