Stage 1- Huge expectations-   This is going to be the year, we only lost one or two players and we're ranked in the pre-season poll.  Our team is much more athletic this year and we finally have the talent to make a championship run.   We have great recruits and a veteran team.

Stage 2- Frustrating non-conference play-  Usually this involves playing ranked opponents.  This allows us to re-examine the state of our program.  Team predictions go from rosy to doomed.  All hell breaks loose.  

Stage 3-  Blame the coaching staff-  It isn't possible that with all of our talent we lose games that we should have won.  This stage involves calling for Mark Few's head, and blaming his substitution patterns and coaching philosophy for our lousy performance.

Stage 4- Fool's Gold-  This stage involves late season momentum generated through playing against the shitty WCC.  This stage teases the Gonzaga fan into thinking that we're finally peaking and playing our best basketball.

Stage 5- Torched in the NCAA's-  This stage involves the opposing team making a ridiculous amount of 3 point shots.(11 vs Davidson 11 vs North Carolina 12 vs Syracuse 14 vs BYU.)  Usually this occurs in either round 1 or round 2.  A total breakdown of team defense occurs, and the game is over before you can say Uncle.