SEATTLE (AP) It's a rite of March: Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament.
It's another rite of March: Gonzaga out of the NCAA Tournament by the end of the first weekend.
The second-seeded Bulldogs are making their 17th straight appearance in the tournament, with their first game set for Friday against Number 15 North Dakota State.
The bigger goal for the West Coast Conference champs is to advance to the second weekend, something they haven't done since 2009. The last five years have all resulted in exits in their second game, including 2013, when Mark Few's team was a No. 1 seed but lost to Wichita State, which ended up making the Final Four.
This year's possible difference-maker: 6-foot-10 Kyle Wiltjer, who transferred from Kentucky and has averaged 16 points and six rebounds.