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Bing Crosby will always be the most famous person associated with Gonzaga, and it doesnt matter how many national championships the Zags go on to win in basketball. The Binger could croon.

When it comes to hoops, though, the Zags have jumped through plenty to get to where they are today, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a team that conceivably could reach its first Final Four.

As much run as Gonzaga has received for its incredible run of basketball success thats 15 NCAAs in a row if youre counting the Zags still havent been able to top that first appearance in the run, an Elite Eight as a 10-seed in 1999 that included wins over Minnesota (7 seed), Stanford (2) and Florida (6) before a loss to No. 1-seed Connecticut.

As coaches and athletic directors at schools with high basketball hopes but national anonymity have watched Gonzaga built a resume one that no longer includes anonymity they have whispered to themselves: Why cant we be like Gonzaga?

A few, like Butler, VCU and George Mason, have reached Final Fours in recent years. Butler and VCU have remained at a high level; George Mason has fallen off.

And what about Wichita State?

Could the Shockers, who with Gregg Marshall have been two consecutive NCAA Tournaments for only the third time in history, blossom into Gonzaga territory?

Marshall was intrigued by, yet unworthy of the question, he said. At least for now.

Its definitely possible for us, Marshall continued. But it would be hard to do and were certainly not there now. But with our resources, yeah, I think its certainly possible.

WSU has been to a Final Four, albeit 48 years ago. The Shockers have arguably been the best team in the Missouri Valley Conference over the past four seasons and with Creighton all but certain to depart for the new Big East Conference, WSU is poised to become the undeniable powerhouse in the league, much as Gonzaga has been in the West Coast Conference.

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The Spokane word : Gonzaga’s model is one Wichita State wants to emulate