Mark Few sends message to Ryan Nembhard following Gonzaga's win over Kansas
For the ninth consecutive season, Gonzaga is heading to the Sweet Sixteen. Head coach Mark Few got the job done on Saturday in Salt Lake City, taking down an undermanned Kansas team. A quick start in the second half pushed the Bulldogs over the finish line and they will now wait to see who they play next week.
Right after the final buzzer sounded, Few had a moment with Gonzaga guard Ryan Nembhard. They embraced and Few was seen giving the third-year player a message. Few later revealed to CBS’ Dana Jacobson what he told Nembhard.
“I love that family,” Few said. “That family has been a part of this whole run. You think of Andrew and Ryan, the whole family. I told him he was nuts but a good kind of nuts.”
Nembhard is in just his first season with Gonzaga, transferring after spending two years at Creighton. The move has been seamless due to his family’s experience with Few and the Bulldogs thanks to older brother Andrew.
While Ryan was playing his freshman year at Creighton, Andrew was wrapping up his senior year at Gonzaga. He too was a transfer into the program, originally starting at Florida. However, making the move out West resulted in seven NCAA Tournament wins, including a national championship appearance.
While the 2022-2023 season provided a gap, the Nembhard family has been a constant in the Gonzaga program over the years. And with the results once again showing gup on the court, Few is thankful to have them along for the ride.
Mark Few, Ryan Nembhard heading to Sweet Sixteen with Gonzaga
This was not the best season Gonzaga has ever put together, not winning the WCC regular season or conference tournament championship. A league Few has dominated over the years, the Bulldogs were an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
However, they are still advancing and will be playing in the second weekend. Gonzaga avoided the feared 12-seed over five-seed upset on Thursday against McNeese State while taking care of Kansas on Saturday.
To this point, the Sweet 16 opponent has yet to be determined. Purdue is the favorite to get there, facing off against Utah State for the right to advance.