Gonzaga didn’t make the Final Four in New Orleans, but the Zags’ successes and shortcomings in March Madness continues to be a hot-button topic in national circles. The Zags were sent home by fourth-seeded Arkansas 74-68 last Thursday in the Sweet 16 in San Francisco. They've been the top overall seed each of the last two seasons and a No. 1 seed four of the last five tournaments, but they’re still chasing an elusive national championship.

Stanford is back in the Final Four, in no small part because of two special players from Spokane.

There is going to be anger. Frustration, too. Some regret will be there as well. But more than anything — sadness.

Texas builds its philosophy on defense and intensity. The Longhorns needed both late on Friday in order to advance to the Elite Eight.

It’s been four years since Lexie Hull played in the Spokane Arena, but she found her comfort zone from the opening tip Friday night.

With its own brand of gritty ball, Arkansas took apart Gonzaga, the No. 1 overall seed, during a West Region semifinal at Chase Center. In a 74-68 victory, the Razorbacks took the concept of will over skill to a new level, overcoming their offensive shortcomings and sticking to a masterful defensive game plan against the nation's most explosive offense.

Inside a building where Stephen Curry normally gets 3-pointers to fall from deep spots and difficult angles, top-seeded Gonzaga found an inopportune time to land on one of its worst shooting performances of the season, making just 5-of-21 shots from beyond the arc in a 74-68 NCAA Tournament loss to fourth-seeded Arkansas. 

For a solid 30 seconds, Timme’s fervent emotions poured out of his lips, his expressive eyes darting to every teammate as the rest of the Zags were locked on him in the center.

For the sixth time in the last seven games, Gonzaga’s Andrew Nembhard never left the court. The senior point guard was outstanding in nearly every one of those games, but he exited the floor Thursday with his head and eyes down after a 74-68 upset loss to Arkansas in the Sweet 16. Nembhard, who has choreographed one of the nation’s top offenses, was held in check for one of the rare times this season.