If it’s March, it must be Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s

Gonzaga playing Saint Mary’s in Las Vegas has become almost as much a March tradition as St. Patrick’s Day or Joe Lunardi.

The Bulldogs and Gaels will meet today for the sixth straight year in the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena.

There’s something different about this meeting, though.

While they have crossed paths in this event every year since 2009 when the tournament moved to Las Vegas, this will be the first time that the game does not decide the tournament title.

Top-seeded Gonzaga (26-6) will play fourth-seeded Saint Mary’s (22-10) in the first semifinal at 6 p.m. Brigham Young (22-10), the tournament’s No. 2 seed, will play third-seeded San Francisco (21-10) in the second semifinal at 8:30. The winners will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday to decide the WCC’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

One reason the Gaels found themselves outside their customary spot in the top three of the league standings this season was dreadful performances against the Bulldogs. Gonzaga won the first meeting 73-51 at home in January. The rematch was uglier, as the Bulldogs blew out the Gaels 75-47 on the road last week in the regular-season finale.

Saint Mary’s coach Randy Bennett had a difficult time explaining those scores.

“That’s a good question,” he said. “That’s the only team we’ve had that kind of trouble with. They have a lot of weapons, but you have to find a way to stop their inside game. We have to figure it out. They played very well at our place. We didn’t get off to a good start and let it affect our composure. We have to make some adjustments to get this to a close game and see if we can figure out a way to get it done.”

Gonzaga doesn’t expect the third meeting to be easy.

“We just beat them at that place,” senior forward Sam Dower said. “I’m sure that’s sticking in their minds that they want some revenge. They’re going to come out fighting and give us 200 percent, and we have to find a way to match and exceed that.”

Senior guard David Stockton agrees.

“I think we have to be ready for a fight,” he said. “They’re fighting for their lives, and they’re probably not too happy with what went down last time we played them. I’m sure we’ll see a completely different team.”

The Bulldogs might not be in this game if not for Stockton’s heroics on Saturday. He drove the length of the floor for a layup with two seconds remaining to lift Gonzaga past Santa Clara 77-75 in a game the Bulldogs trailed throughout.

“I feel really comfortable in those situations,” said Stockton, the son of basketball Hall of Famer John Stockton.

Gonzaga has been at ease against Saint Mary’s this season. Gaels forward Brad Waldow knows his team will have to step up the intensity to change its fortunes.

“We have to play hard the entire game,” he said. “We got down on ourselves when we fell behind (against Gonzaga last week), and it seemed like we almost gave up a little bit. We’ll be ready for the full 40 minutes this time.”

Saint Mary’s has had success against the Bulldogs in this tournament. The Gaels won titles in 2010 and 2012 by beating Gonzaga, which has played in 16 consecutive WCC tournament finals.

Bulldogs coach Mark Few said the fact the title won’t be decided tonight doesn’t diminish the rivalry.

“It’s still the tournament, and it’s still Saint Mary’s in Vegas,” Few said. “I’m sure it will be a high-intensity affair.”

BYU also swept San Francisco, though both games were close.

The Cougars are unbeaten in six games started by Bishop Gorman alumnus Anson Winder. He has started the past four games and is expected to start tonight.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.