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Santa Clara Aims for WCC Title Against Gonzaga
Broncos seek first NCAA Tournament bid in 30 years under coach Herb Sendek.
Published on Mar. 10, 2026
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Santa Clara University's men's basketball team is on the verge of earning its first NCAA Tournament berth in 30 years. However, head coach Herb Sendek is not relying on the predictions of March Madness experts, as the Broncos prepare to face off against powerhouse Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference (WCC) championship game.
Why it matters
Santa Clara's potential return to the NCAA Tournament would be a significant milestone for the program, which has struggled to reach that level of success in recent decades. A win over Gonzaga, one of the top teams in the country, would further cement the Broncos' status as a rising force in college basketball.
The details
Santa Clara, led by veteran coach Herb Sendek, has put together an impressive season and is now just one win away from securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Broncos will have to go through Gonzaga, the perennial WCC champion, to achieve that goal. Gonzaga has been a dominant force in the conference for years, but Santa Clara is confident it can pull off the upset and earn its first tournament berth since the 1990s.
- The WCC championship game is scheduled for March 10, 2026.
The players
Herb Sendek
The head coach of the Santa Clara Broncos men's basketball team, who is leading the program's push for its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 30 years.
Gonzaga
The perennial powerhouse of the West Coast Conference, which has dominated the league for years and is once again a top contender for the NCAA Tournament.
What they’re saying
“We're not going to rely on the opinions of March Madness pundits. Our focus is on the task at hand, and that's winning the WCC championship against a very tough Gonzaga team.”
— Herb Sendek, Head Coach, Santa Clara Broncos (Marietta Daily Journal)
What’s next
The winner of the WCC championship game between Santa Clara and Gonzaga will earn an automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The takeaway
Santa Clara's potential return to the NCAA Tournament after a 30-year drought would be a significant accomplishment for the program, and a victory over perennial power Gonzaga would further establish the Broncos as a rising force in college basketball.
