Gonzaga Bulldogs' 2023-24 nonconference schedule beginning to take shape

The Zags announced a home game vs. Yale

While the 2023-24 college basketball season is nearly seven months away, the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ nonconference schedule is already starting to take shape.

The Zags, so far, are slated to visit Kentucky and Washington, host Yale and participate in the Maui Invitational. 

Gonzaga’s two road games were organized a while ago, with the trip to Kentucky being the second of six meetings and the matchup with Washington marking the finale of a four-year series. Neither contest has an official date. 

The Wildcats lost by 16 points in front of a record-breaking crowd at Spokane Arena last season. It was a resilient defensive showing for the Zags, who held their opponents to 39.1 % shooting from the field and 24.0% from deep. 

A few weeks later, Gonzaga notched its seventh straight victory over Washington, winning by 17 points in the Kennel. The Zags have been triumphant in 14 of the last 15 meetings against their in-state rivals.

Gonzaga’s home matchup with Yale was announced on Monday and remains the only known game at the McCarthey Athletic Center next season. While a date hasn’t been determined, Yale’s visit to Spokane will be the first for an Ivy League school since 1991.

The only dated event on the Zags’ schedule is the Maui Invitational, a three-day event starting on Nov. 20. The tournament field will include Kansas, Purdue, UCLA, Syracuse, Marquette, Tennessee and Chaminade. 

The last time Gonzaga played in the Maui Invitational was 2018, when it took down a star-studded Duke squad to win the championship. Former Zag Rui Hachimura received MVP honors at the tournament after registering 20 points and seven rebounds against the Blue Devils. 

As the season draws closer, more opponents will be added to Gonzaga’s schedule.