Gonzaga Bulldogs at Utah Utes

Gonzaga reaches another Sweet 16 with 23-point drubbing of Utah

For Gonzaga, these are the March Mismatches.

The Bulldogs, looking like something much different than an 11 seed, rolled over No. 3 Utah on Saturday, 82-59 behind 22 points from Eric McClellan and a 19-point, 10-rebound effort from Domantas Sabonis.

The 23-point win tied the third-largest by a team seeded 11th or lower since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

This was a wire-to-wire effort even more impressive than their 16-point win over Seton Hall in the first round.

"We played as good as probably we've played all year, on what is the biggest stage," coach Mark Few said.

Next up for the Zags (28-7), a game against Syracuse or Middle Tennessee in the Midwest Regional.

Kyle Wiltjer had 17 for Gonzaga. He went 3-for-4 from 3-point range, all in the first half, to help the Bulldogs jump to a quick double-digit lead.

"He's an incredible player," Poeltl said. "He made some really good plays today. It's his versatility that makes him so tough to guard."

On Utah's first possession of the second half, Poeltl posted up and tried the hook. Sabonis redirected it and the ball never got to the glass. The son of former NBA star Arvydas Sabonis recorded his 22nd double-double of the season.

A few minutes after Sabonis denied Poeltl, McClellan converted a steal by Kyle Dranginis into a layup and a three-point play to push Gonzaga's lead to 20.

Utah (27-9) walked off wondering what happened. And if that was really an 11 seed they'd just played.

"I know Gonzaga's a really good team. I would never put a number on them," Utes coach Larry Krystkowiak said. "I wouldn't be surprised if they're in the Final Four."

The trials and tribulations were spelled out in detail on a behind-the-scenes documentary airing on HBO: "The March to Madness," that chronicled the season-ending injury to star center Przemek Karnowski, the guards' struggle for consistency and the never-for-sure quest simply to make the tournament for the 18th straight year.

"I don't think any of us can deny there was a little bit of a sense of desperation that we faced," Few said. "We had a talk in the locker room, it was fight or flight, man. It's human nature. We lined up and we all chose to fight."

The fight goes on. It's Gonzaga's second straight Sweet 16 appearance and fourth as a double-digit seed, the most ever by a team.

"I think we'll be in a great situation in Chicago," Few said. "No matter how anybody wants to dress it up, I don't think we should have any expectations on us."

TIP-INS:

Gonzaga: Josh Perkins had 10 for the Zags. ... Gonzaga outrebounded Utah 34-24. ... The Zags shot 8-for-12 from 3-point range in the first half. ... For the second straight time, the Zags were not an underdog in the opening line, despite their No. 11 seed. They were pick'em against Utah and a 1-point favorite against Seton Hall.

Utah: Kyle Kuzma led the Utes with 15 points and Lorenzo Bonam added 12.

NEXT:

Gonzaga: Sweet 16 against Middle Tennessee or Syracuse

Utah: Season over.

ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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• TV Channel: Gonzaga at Utah 2021 College Basketball, week 1, is broadcasted on TNT.
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