An oral history: Gonzaga’s last losing season came nearly 35 years ago. During a preseason scrimmage, six redshirts made a statement to the varsity that times were about to change.

Dec. 30—As often happened during the bleak 1989-90 season, the Zags were getting clobbered by a more talented opponent. Unseen by the public, unreported in the news, this loss didn't count against the 8-20 record that season. In fact, this lopsided defeat came before the basketball season officially started, pitting the varsity against six newly acquired redshirts in an intrasquad scrimmage. …