By Robert Haugh
Santa Clara is dancing again.
For the first time since 1996, the Santa Clara University Broncos are headed to the NCAA tournament.
Santa Clara received an at-large bid Sunday, drew a No. 10 seed in the Midwest Region, and will face No. 7 Kentucky on Friday in St. Louis.
The bid ends a 30-year drought for a program that last reached March Madness when Steve Nash led the Broncos into the second round.
It’s Santa Clara’s 12th NCAA tournament appearance overall.
This team earned it. Santa Clara is 26-8. It finished 15-3 in West Coast Conference play, the best league record in program history.
The Broncos then beat Pacific and No. 21 Saint Mary’s to reach the WCC championship game for the first time since 2007.
Santa Clara lost 79-68 to Gonzaga in the conference title game in Las Vegas. But the resume was strong enough.
The Broncos had won 13 of their last 16 games, and the selection committee rewarded a season that put the program back on the national stage.
Now the wait is over. After three decades on the outside, Santa Clara is back in March Madness.
One great Bronco will miss the news. On Saturday, Robert Owens, a great man and statesman left us. Bob was a County Counsel, and former West Valley Trustee. He was 90. Bob was a accomplished lawyer before he was an elected official. Owens was a great supporter of the Mayor, the Mission City, and was a person of great common sense. A veteran and good guy.
Speaking of West Valley, watch for Elijah Mahi, a former top player for West Valley now playing for SCU, He helped lead WV in their incredible 33-0 season two years ago. He has been top scorer for SCU last season and this season. His playing time has gone from 23 minutes to 30 minutes. Definitely exciting times for SCU!!
Great Job Broncos! I can’t wait to watch the game. Good luck