Gonzaga prepares for 'challenging' three-game stretch at Maui Invitational

The Zags won the Maui Invitational in 2018 and 2009

As the cold and gloomy weather descends upon Spokane, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are escaping to Hawai'i for the Maui Invitational.

But it won't all be paradise for the 11th-ranked Zags, who are set to play three games from Monday to Wednesday against some of the top programs in college basketball. 

Gonzaga (2-0), which won its first two games by a combined 81 points, is one of seven undefeated programs in the eight-team field. While tournament host Chaminade holds a 1-2 record, No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Purdue, No. 4 Marquette, No. 7 Tennessee, UCLA and Syracuse each remain without a loss entering the competition.

"This is far and away the best field I've ever seen," said Gonzaga head coach Mark Few of the Maui Invitational.

Gonzaga Bulldogs look ahead to Maui Invitational after dismantling Eastern Oregon

The Zags are making their sixth trip to the tournament after participating in 2002, 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2018. During the 2018 Maui Invitational championship, then-No. 3 Gonzaga upset No. 1 Duke behind a 21-point outing from Rui Hachimura, who earned MVP honors. 

The program won the competition in 2009 behind co-Tournament MVP performances from Steven Gray and Matt Bouldin. 

As Gonzaga aims to have another successful run in the Maui Invitational, it will have to go through Purdue in the first round on Monday at 2 p.m. PST.

Reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey and the Boilermakers overpowered the Zags for an 88-64 victory at the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland last season. The 7-foot-4 All-American poured in a team-high 23 points and seven rebounds. 

Edey is averaging 20.7 points and 10 rebounds this season, leading Purdue to a 3-0 start. The Boilermakers have the No. 1 offense and the eighth-best defense, according to KenPom.  

"It's gonna be tough and [Edey] is a different kind of player," said Gonzaga forward Anton Watson. "Something that you don't see too often in college basketball."

Gonzaga's top scorer has been redshirt freshman forward Braden Huff, who's averaging 21 points on 75% shooting. Redshirt junior forward Graham Ike is second in scoring at 18 points per game on 83.3% shooting. 

The winner of Gonzaga and Purdue will face the winner of Tennessee vs. Syracuse. The losers of both matchups will play in the consolation side of the tournament. 

The first-round matchups on the opposite part of the bracket are Kansas vs. Chaminade and Marquette vs. UCLA. 

"These next couple of days are about preparing for everything you're going to see over that three-day period," Few said of the Maui Invitational. "You don't have a whole lot of time to prepare. It's rare to have three games in three days anymore at these tournaments. Usually, you get a day off in there. That's a huge challenge also." 

While the Zags have a jam-packed schedule, they still plan to celebrate Thanksgiving in Hawai'i. 

"We always have Thanksgiving over there on Thursday," Few said. "That's always a great day because we get through the tournament and then we use that as a day to be thankful and rest up before coming home." 

Gonzaga returns to McCarthey Athletic Center on Nov. 28 to host CSU Bakersfield before traveling to Las Vegas to face No. 16 USC on Dec. 2. 

Gonzaga's Mark Few on 2023 Maui Invitational: 'This is far and away the best field I've ever seen'