February 14, 2026; Santa Clara, California, USA; Santa Clara Broncos forward Allen Graves (22) dribbles against Gonzaga Bulldogs center Ismaila Diagne (left) in the second half at the Libby Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images Saint Mary’s has won or shared the last four West Coast Conference regular season championships.
It was much more difficult to claim the WCC tournament title.
The second-seeded Gaels will begin their quest for their third crown in 14 tournaments since 2013 when they faced third-seeded Santa Clara in the semifinals Monday night in Las Vegas.
The Broncos (25-7) advanced with a 76-68 win over sixth-seeded Pacific on Sunday.
While No. 21 St. Mary’s (27-4) is firmly in the NCAA tournament field, Santa Clara will take a big step toward securing a spot with a win over the Gaels. The Broncos haven’t participated in March Madness since 1996, when the legendary Steve Nash was the senior superstar.
Santa Clara’s last WCC tournament win came in 1993, Nash’s freshman season.
But 30 years after the program’s most recent NCAA Tournament appearance, Coach Herb Sendek has assembled the best all-around squad in his 10 seasons at the school. This also marks Santa Clara’s fifth consecutive 20-win season.
But the Broncos refuse to set their sights high.
“Just take it one game at a time,” forward Elijah Mahi said after Sunday’s win. “Everyone feels good because we’re working hard to get there. It’s one game at a time.”
Gaels coach Randy Bennett said there should be no doubt that the Broncos belong in March Madness territory.
“They’re good, they’re talented, they’re big,” Bennett said of Santa Clara on the WCC Insider Show. “I think the three teams in our league (Gonzaga being the other) definitely have good resumes and I think he’s one of them. It’s right there.
“They can score on you. This year is different. Their defense is married all over the court and trying to wear you down. … This is the best team Herb has ever had.”
St. Mary’s most recent WCC tournament titles came in 2019 and 2024. In total, the Gaels have won the tournament five times since the season-ending event began in 1987.
They enter Monday’s game on an eight-game winning streak, including a dazzling 70-59 home victory over then-No. 9 Gonzaga in Saturday’s regular-season finale.
Three days ago, St. Mary’s visited Santa Clara 86-67 to split the regular season series. The Broncos won 62-54 at home on Jan. 17.
“We played Santa Clara and Gonzaga at home in unbelievable atmosphere, both of which were probably the best we have seen from our program in the last 25 years,” Bennett said. “… It was kind of a storybook deal, and our people were able to stay focused and sort it out and get it done.”
Mikey Lewis was a sensation with 21 points against Santa Clara on Feb. 25, tying career highs with 31 points and seven 3-pointers on a Zags takedown.
The Broncos are hoping to get another shot at the Gaels.
“It’s definitely exciting,” Santa Clara forward Allen Graves said. “Last time I didn’t get the job done, but I’ll be ready this time. I’m doing the right things I need to do – rest, recovery, shooting – and I’ll be ready (Monday).”
Sendek couldn’t get past the fact that the Gaels outscored his club 51-21 in the second meeting.
“Year after year, Saint Mary’s is one of the most elite rebounding teams in the country,” Sendek said. “For us, that can’t happen again. It wasn’t just a function of the rebounds. We had rotations to facilitate their rebounds. It didn’t look as if our guys weren’t trying to block. … Things are never as good or as bad as they seem.”
Sunday night, Graves scored 19 points for Santa Clara in a back-to-back win over Pacific.
Also on Monday night, top-seeded Gonzaga will face No. 4 Oregon State in the other WCC semifinal.
–Field level media
