The Gonzaga Bullldogs are off to the Final Four for the first time in program history, after an extremely impressive 83-59 Elite Eight victory over the Xavier Musketeers on Saturday.
So, we’ll get our first look at Gonzaga in the Final Four, and we’ll also get our first look at ESPN college hoops analyst Jay Bilas in a beard. It’s quite understandable if you’re confused, but I’ll explain.
Twitter user @KarnowskisBeard — an account named in honor of bearded Gonzaga big man Przemek Karnowski — asked Bilas in December if he’d grow a beard should Gonzaga make the Final Four:
@JayBilas thanks for the shoutout. If the zags make the final four will you grow a beard?? #nomustacheneeded
— Karnowski's Beard (@KarnowskisBeard) December 3, 2016
Bilas responded, on-air during the Gonzaga-Arizona game in December:
So @JayBilas has accepted the challenge from @KarnowskisBeard – he will grow a beard a la @PKarnowski if @ZagMBB makes the Final Four. pic.twitter.com/taa39dXOcU
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) December 3, 2016
“I accept the challenge. I will grow a beard that will be far better than Przemek Karnowski’s if the ‘Zags make the Final Four.”
Well, after Gonzaga won on Saturday, Bilas shared multiple tweets saying he will indeed grow a beard. He also gave us a couple of photoshopped examples of how the beard could look:
With Gonzaga's trip the the Final Four, looks like The Bilastrator is growing a beard. I pay up. @KarnowskisBeard pic.twitter.com/J50ty0HsGQ
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 26, 2017
Not sure how the new Gonzaga inspired beard will come in…Karnowski will be jealous. pic.twitter.com/DBRGPyBksB
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) March 26, 2017
You are a good man @JayBilas. I want to see that honest Abe beard! Go Zags! #FinalFour @ZagMBB @ESPNCBB https://t.co/Q1BnVCkI3p
— Karnowski's Beard (@KarnowskisBeard) March 26, 2017
Bilas appeared on Mike and Mike Friday and actually talked about the type of beard he would look to grow if Gonzaga beat Xavier:
If @ZagMBB makes it to the Final Four, @JayBilas is honoring a bet with @KarnowskisBeard to grow a beard.
Who's ready for that? pic.twitter.com/MiZcovNHb1
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) March 24, 2017
… maybe go with something that small animals could live in it, or a bunch of food gets stuck in it. That would be good.
We’re certainly excited to see how this beard looks, and kudos to Bilas for being a man of his word.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.