POLL RESULTS: Readers divided on NCAA tournament support

The voters split nearly evenly on whether they back the Washington Huskies or Gonzaga Bulldogs.

It seems Washington is a house divided when it comes to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

This week’s Seattle Sidelines poll asked readers where their allegiance lies when this year’s tournament begins Thursday. Specifically, we asked whether their primary support was with the University of Washington Huskies or Gonzaga University Bulldogs, and it turns out both schools have their backers. Here’s how you voted:


Add it all up and it nearly a dead heat. Washington received the most votes with 48 percent, but Gonzaga was right behind at 44 percent. Eight percent chose neither.

This is an interesting result to me. For people in Snohomish County Washington is clearly the home team, as campus is a short drive down I-5 to Seattle, so one would think the Huskies would receive the most support. However, Pacific Northwest sports fans have a history of supporting winners, and when it comes to basketball in the state of Washington it’s the Bulldogs who are the perennial achievers, as the Spokane school is making its 20th straight trip to the big dance. I was curious whether the results of the poll would reflect a hometown bias or bandwagon hopping. I’d say they show both. But the fact a school 300 miles away received almost the same number of votes as a school 30 miles away seems to reinforce the idea that our region likes a winner.

I was a little surprised the “neither” option didn’t get more votes. I know Snohomish County has it’s fair share of Washington State Cougar fans, and I have to think at least some of those fans aren’t particularly fond of either Washington or Gonzaga. And there has to be people in the area who’s main allegiance is to a team outside the state (I happen to be one of them). Yet at 8 percent “neither” received an almost insignificant amount of votes.

Both teams now know who they face in the first round. Fairleigh Dickinson beat Prairie View A&M 82-76 in their play-in game Tuesday night. That means Gonzaga, the No. 1 seed in the West Region, faces No. 16 Fairleigh Dickinson at 4:15 p.m. PDT on Thursday in Salt Lake City. The game is being televised on truTV.

Washington, the No. 9 seed in the Midwest Region, faces No. 8 Utah State at 3:45 p.m. PDT on Friday in Columbus, Ohio. That game can be viewed on TNT.

And don’t forget about the Snohomish County natives taking part in the NCAA tournaments. That includes King’s High School graduate Corey Kispert, who is a starter for those Gonzaga Bulldogs. Meanwhile, in the women’s bracket Glacier Peak High School grad Paisley Johnson is fresh off leading BYU to the WCC tournament championship.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Rashard Robinson (33) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer / Bay Area News Group / Tribune News Services)
Sports psychologist changed Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin’s outlook

The former receiver overcame intense emotions during his player career

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.