Gonzaga’s nonconference schedule continues to take form with video games in opposition to UMass Lowell and a rematch with San Diego State. How will the Bulldogs fare?
It’s by no means too early to begin trying ahead to November. With solely weeks till the graduation (lastly!) of this 12 months’s school basketball season and with extra video games being added to the slate every day, it’s clear the Zags may have their work reduce out for them within the ultimate months of 2024. As soon as once more, Few and co. have put collectively a mixture of excessive caliber opponents and “heat up” matches in opposition to gifted however outgunned guests.
Previous to setting sail for the Bahamas and the stiff competitors they’ll face within the yearly Battle 4 Atlantis Match, the Zags will face Arizona State and UMass Lowell within the Kennel after which journey south for his or her first true highway take a look at in opposition to the San Diego State Aztecs.
UMass Lowell – Friday, November 15 – McCarthy Athletic Heart – Spokane, WA
These hoping for a blowout confidence-boosting cupcake recreation in opposition to the River Hawks of UMass Lowell can be clever to recalibrate expectations. Though the River Hawks lack a distinguished aggressive fame, Pat Duquette’s group is understood for taking video games that needs to be blowouts proper right down to the ultimate seconds. They did it final 12 months in opposition to Georgia Tech (who they beat 74-71) after which once more a number of days later in a slim loss to Arizona State, a recreation which they led for 38 minutes earlier than a ultimate spurt by the Solar Devils despatched them packing. They’re a scrappy group on an upward trajectory and so they enter this season with loads to show.
Ending final season with a 22-10 report, the River Hawks secured second place within the American East Convention, simply behind the College of Vermont. They misplaced the convention championship recreation by solely 5 factors and have made three convention championship appearances within the final 4 years. The River Hawks are a group with their eyes set on lastly dancing in March and in the event that they choose up the place they left off, they simply may lastly make it. Though this recreation may not be a prime precedence for Gonzaga followers, UMass Lowell shouldn’t be underestimated.
UMass Lowell’s strengths are of their perimeter protection and their skill to seize rebounds on each ends of the ground. They completed third within the nation in 3-point proportion protection at 29.2% final 12 months, so for those who plan to beat the River Hawks from outdoors, you must also plan to have a backup plan. In keeping with FoxSports, they completed tenth within the nation in rebounds per recreation (37.3) and thirty eighth in whole discipline purpose proportion (47.5%). The River Hawks play robust protection, assault off the dribble, get to the free throw line, and crash the boards higher than many groups Gonzaga will face this season. They’re resilient, quick, and scrappy, and their match-up within the Kennel would be the first actual take a look at of the Zags’ physicality and grit.
San Diego State – Monday, November 18 – Viejas Enviornment – San Diego, CA
Groups don’t get a lot harder than the San Diego State Aztecs of final season. Led by Karl Malone Award winner Jaedon LeDee, the Aztecs continued their dominance of the often-underrated Mountain West Convention, making their fifth NCAA Match look within the final seven seasons. Though they suffered a heavy defeat to UConn in a rematch of the 2022-2023 match championship recreation, their play final season shouldn’t be downplayed. Based mostly on RPI metrics, SDSU confronted the third-toughest schedule within the nation final 12 months and so they have set a gauntlet for themselves as soon as once more this 12 months. In spite of everything, who doesn’t get pummeled by UConn sometimes?
From the start of final season it appeared the Aztecs have been on a mission. Gonzaga followers possible keep in mind final 12 months’s match-up when the then-unranked SDSU waltzed into the Kennel and left with an surprising win. LeDee scored 20 factors and grabbed 7 rebounds in that win and the power and defensive toughness of the Aztecs had the Zags on their heels all through. SDSU would go on to make the Candy 16 as a 5-seed and LeDee would go on to place collectively one of many most interesting particular person match performances in current reminiscence.
This 12 months, SDSU shall be with out LeDee and a number of other different key gamers, however in addition they return eight core members of final 12 months’s squad (together with sharp capturing Fifth-year senior guard Reese Waters, who scored 22 factors in opposition to Gonzaga final 12 months). The Aztecs had a busy low season, including thrilling prospects like 4-star energy ahead Pharoah Compton and 7-footer David Majak. Center Tennessee switch Jared Coleman-Jones, a 6’10” 240-pound energy ahead, will possible attempt to fill the hole left by LeDee.
Whereas it’s exhausting to foretell how SDSU will alter with out LeDee, they nonetheless have the elements to problem Gonzaga. Identified for his or her defensive power and bodily play, the Aztecs are a group that has given Gonzaga hassle previously. Even with out probably the most important element from final season, SDSU stays a group to observe intently in 2024