SALT LAKE CITY — Gonzaga coach Mark Few wasn't happy that the Oakland-Kentucky game was shown on the big screens above the court during the Bulldogs' NCAA tournament game against McNeese Thursday night. evening.
It got to a point where few broached the issue with tournament officials on the court.
“I appreciate you saying 'talked' to them about it,” Few said after Gonzaga's 86-65 first-round win. “Let's go with that description because, yeah, I thought, I know, I guess, it's protocol. We don't need that. It's the NCAA tournament. These kids are involved. It's the most important game of their lives. Those officials, you know, It's a great moment for them.
“Everyone just needs to enjoy the game at hand. It doesn't have to be like the Few's house, where we change channels every 15 seconds and don't watch the show we're supposed to watch.”
Oakland's surprise offer drew strong reactions from fans inside the Delta Center as the McNeese-Gonzaga game unfolded in front of them. At one point, McNeese's Christian Shumate was lining up to shoot a free throw when an explosion of cheers broke out because Oakland's Trey Townsend had stolen the ball. Every time Kentucky made a mistake or Oakland did something to maintain its lead, the crowd screamed. A chant of “Here we go, Oakland, here we go” even broke out.
Twice, the game was turned off on the big screens to a chorus of boos. After the first time, it came back on, but it stayed off after the second with just seconds left until Oakland pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament so far.
“I mean, I really think that needs to change,” Few said. “He was impacting the game. Again, I mean, the McNeese people were there to see McNeese; the Gonzaga people were there to see Gonzaga. It's the NCAA tournament. If you can't entertain yourself, then go out and Let's find someone else.” in your seat. Plain and simple.”
