Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Gonzaga-UCLA working on regular-season rematch of epic March Madness game; UNC, Villanova, Purdue, Tennessee in Mohegan Sun event
By ADAM ZAGORIA
Gonzaga and UCLA played in the most memorable game of the NCAA Tournament, and now coaches Mark Few and Mick Cronin are working on a regular-season rematch during the 2021-22 season.
“The scoop is, Mark Few and I are trying to figure out a way to have a rematch,” Cronin said on Andy’s Katz’s March Madness podcast. “Obviously we think it could be the most watched regular-season game if we have that rematch right away.
“We’re trying to figure out a way to make that work….We’re trying to move stuff around to make that happen…Mark and I both realize that [with] the popularity of our game, it would be pretty cool to have a rematch,”
Gonzaga, of course, stunned UCLA in the national semifinals on April 3 thanks to a game-winning 3-pointer by Jalen Suggs off the window at the end of overtime.
Entering this season, the Bulldogs lose Joel Ayayi, Corey Kispert and Jalen Suggs to the NBA Draft, but add Chet Holmgren, Hunter Sallis and former Iowa State guard Rasir Bolton.
UCLA may lose Johnny Juzang to the Draft, but adds Rutgers transfer big man Myles Johnson along with point guard Will McClendon and small forward Peyton Watson.
–Cronin also told Katz the Bruins will play return games at both UNLV and Marquette.
–UCLA will play North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic, while Kentucky facing Ohio State.
–The Bruins are also in the Legends Classic at Barclays Center along with Virginia, Northwestern and Texas.
–Meantime, UNC coach Hubert Davis told Katz the Tar Heels will play in the Hall of Fame event Nov. 20-21 at the Mohegan Sun along with Tennessee, Purdue and Villanova.Follow Adam Zagoria on TwitterFollow ZAGSBLOGHoops on InstagramAnd Like ZAGS on Facebook
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
