Julian Strawther's game-winner for Gonzaga vs. UCLA evokes memories of Jalen Suggs, Kris Jenkins

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David Suggs
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• 4 min read

Deja vu didn't do it justice. Perhaps it was divine intervention, or the planets aligning perfectly, to craft yet another college basketball masterpiece out of Gonzaga vs. UCLA.

Whatever it was, fans are more than grateful.

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Julian Strawther's high-arcing 3 from the logo gave the Bulldogs a 79-76 victory over the Bruins in the Sweet 16 on Thursday night. It added another colorful chapter to what has become one of the best rivalries in college sports.

It was old money vs. new, storied incumbent vs. new-age excellence. And just as the 2021 prequel went, it came down to a long-distance dagger from a guard brimming with confidence.

Strawther seemed an unlikely candidate to receive the ball coming out of a timeout. He had faded in and out of the game, deferring to Drew Timme (36 points, 13 rebounds) and Malachi Smith (14 points, 12 in the second half).

MORE: Highlights, results as Gonzaga advances to Elite Eight

Timme and Smith played a central role as the Bulldogs turned a double-digit Bruins lead on its head. But just as they neared victory, the pair fumbled golden opportunities to seal the game.

Smith tossed an errant pass straight out of bounds. Timme conceded an and-one to Jaime Jaquez.

Timme followed that up with a pair of clanked free throws that kept the game's margin a single possession.

UCLA wasted no time making Mark Few's squad pay, with Amari Bailey lacing a high-rising 3. Game. Set. Match.

Or so it appeared. Few had a vision. Not only did it resemble Jalen Suggs' miraculous half-court heave in the 2021 Final Four. It also had similarities to, among other plays, former Villanova coach Jay Wright's call in the 2016 NCAA championship game. You know the one: point guard brings the ball up, followed by a dribble handoff into the hands of the team's best 3-point marksman.

MORE: Revisiting the UCLA-Gonzaga 2006 thriller that left Adam Morrison in tears

Few has a pretty slick name for it, too.

The call worked like a charm. Strawther picked the ball up at the logo and let loose. Bottoms.

"This guy has made so many big shots for us," Few said post-game. "I knew if I called his number, he'd deliver"

Just as Suggs in 2021, just as Kris Jenkins in 2016, Strawther had the game in his hands. It came up trumps for the Bulldogs, who moved ever so closer to that all-important first national title.

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David Suggs Photo
David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News.