Adam ‘Ace’ Miller’s journey through the NCAA Tournament is a tale many Gonzaga fans can relate to. As a freshman at Illinois during the 2021 tournament, Miller witnessed Gonzaga’s undefeated march to the championship game, only to see them fall to Baylor. That year, Miller’s Illini, a top seed like Gonzaga, were upset by Loyola Chicago, turning him from participant to spectator.
One moment etched in his memory is Jalen Suggs’ unforgettable 40-foot game-winning shot against UCLA in the Final Four. “When he hit that 3 …,” Miller recalled, still in awe, as he reflected on that iconic moment. Watching it live as a fellow high school classmate of Suggs, he knew he was witnessing something extraordinary.
This season marks Miller’s return to the NCAA Tournament, a journey he hasn’t embarked on since his freshman year. Reflecting on his past tournament experience, Miller noted how everything started to click for him back then.
“I wasn’t a freshman anymore. I started to understand how to score.
My defense was ahead of my offense, but things were just clicking.”
We also caught up with other Gonzaga players and coaches to share their favorite tournament memories. Graham Ike, in his first year as a Zag, recalled the thrill of advancing past Kansas, scoring 49 points over three games. “After we beat Kansas, my goodness, I felt like I was floating in the locker room with joy.”
Ike’s favorite tournament moment as a fan? Kris Jenkins’ buzzer-beater for Villanova against North Carolina in the 2016 title game. “That’s when I really became aware of the NCAA Tournament.”
Jalen Warley, a Pennsylvania native, shared a similar sentiment about Jenkins’ shot, tying it to his roots in Philadelphia. “That was pretty big time,” he said, also recalling Marcus Paige’s dramatic 3-pointer that tied the game moments before Jenkins’ heroics.
Braeden Smith, who transferred from Colgate, fondly remembered the energy of the crowd when Colgate cut Texas’ lead to six during their 2023 matchup. “Everybody wants to see the upset. That was a very cool experience.”
Smith also cherishes the unpredictable nature of March Madness as a fan, especially the historic upset of Virginia by UMBC. “Everyone has filled out their brackets. It’s the best time of the year.”
Davis Fogle, poised to make his tournament debut, highlighted Julian Strawther’s game-winning 3-pointer against UCLA in the 2023 Sweet 16 as a standout memory. “That was awesome,” Fogle said, also noting the excitement of UMBC’s historic victory over Virginia.
Assistant coach R-Jay Barsh, who joined Gonzaga in 2023, shared his memories of Gonzaga’s 1999 Sweet 16 win over Florida and the impact of Boise State’s first tournament appearance in 2022. He also recalled a personal connection watching Florida State face Xavier, having trained players on both teams.
As the Zags gear up for another tournament run, Miller is hopeful. “I remember the feeling I hated, which was losing.
Now I have another chance. It’s a rebirth.
Hopefully, we put it all together and make a deeper run.” The stage is set for Gonzaga to create new memories and perhaps add another chapter to their storied tournament history.