Mick Cronin took some time to reflect on the contributions this season and across their careers for some of his more important players: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tyger Campbell and David Singleton.

Cronin pointed to loyalty, which he said is rare in today’s society.

“When I look at those guys, I respect people, I think — I don’t respect anybody I think that’s a fraud that doesn’t work hard. I just don’t. I don’t care if you like me,” he said. “I have great respect for those 3 because when you watch them play you don’t think, well, he should be better than that. When you watch Dave Singleton and you see he’s limited athletically, and you see that he gets everything he can out of his body and his talent. Tyger Campbell, unbelievable career. You can’t get any more out of his body and his God-given things that he has that he can’t change. He totally maxes it out. And Jaime Jaquez, same thing. Came in to us as a human turnover the first 2 months. And I just played him because he was as crazy as me. We were losing. He was pissed. I said I can build a program with this guy because he’s got heart. Now look at him.”

Cronin was proud that to beat his team, it took a strong effort that Gonzaga had in the 79-76 win.

“There’s a lot of good teams out there this year but a lot of them got whacked by 20 on multiple nights. Not us, not us,” he said. “Took a great player, a 32-foot shot, and a great player in Drew Timme and a really tough whistle to send us home, despite everything we’ve been through.”

So what does it prove about those 3 players?

“If you work hard, you have a great attitude, you can become a really, really good player,” the coach said. “So that’s why I respect those guys so much.”