Ranking the Gonzaga Bulldogs' top 5 2023-24 nonconference games

Gonzaga's loaded nonconference schedule features plenty of must-see matchups

November and December are a time to prepare for March. At least that's how the Gonzaga men's basketball program has approached assembling its nonconference schedule over the last few seasons. 

From high-profile early season tournaments to facing the nation's bluebloods at neutral sites, Mark Few has an "anytime, anywhere" mentality when it comes to creating a schedule that will best prepare his team for the rigors of the NCAA Tournament.

The 2023-24 season won't be any different. Once again, the Zags will have plenty of AP Top 25 matchups on their calendar, starting from late November and bleeding into February. 

While the official schedule hasn't been released, Gonzaga's most highly-anticipated matchups have already been set. Here's a look at the top five games on the 2023-24 slate.

Maui Invitational — Nov. 20-22, Stan Sheriff Center

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It won't be in the traditional Lahaina Civic Center, but arguably the premier in-season tournament of 2023 will be held at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu. The Maui Invitational features an eight-team field of Gonzaga, Kansas, Marquette, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCLA and Chaminade.

The Zags tip off the tournament against reigning Naismith Player of Year Zach Edey and the Boilermakers on Nov. 20 at the Stan Sheriff Center. The 7-foot-4 center dominated in the previous meeting, an 84-66 Purdue win in the PK85 semifinals last season. 

Edey returned to West Lafayette, Indiana, for his senior season to join a Purdue squad that brought back all five starters from last season. Coming off a stunning upset to 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson in the NCAA Tournament, Matt Painter's squad was ranked No. 3 in ESPN's way-too-early power rankings heading into the 2023-24 season.

Regardless of the outcome against Purdue, Gonzaga faces either Tennessee or Syracuse in the ensuing round. Kansas, UCLA and Marquette are all potential opponents the Zags could face in the championship round. It's quite the loaded field, as six of the eight teams were in the final 2022-23 AP Top 25 poll, with five inside the top 10.

Connecticut Huskies — Dec. 15, Climate Pledge Arena

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A rematch of last season's Elite Eight game, Gonzaga and UConn will square off in a highly-anticipated matchup at Climate Pledge Arena on Dec. 15. Both programs lost key contributors from last season, making for a much different ballgame this time around.

A combined five players from that lopsided Elite Eight game have gone on to the NBA (Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, Adama Sanogo, Andre Jackson Jr. and Jordan Hawkins), though Dan Hurley and Mark Few brought in talent to reload over the offseason. The Huskies brought in a top-five recruiting class that has four ESPN Top 100 recruits to go along with notable returners Tristen Newton, Donovan Clingan and Alex Karaban. Gonzaga, meanwhile, landed a top-10 transfer portal class with Steele Venters, Graham Ike and Ryan Nembhard, while Anton Watson and Nolan Hickman return to the starting lineup.

The reigning national champions are a probable top-five team in the polls heading into the 2023-24 season. ESPN's way-too-early power rankings have the Huskies at No. 5.

The Dec. 15 matchup is the first of a two-game home-and-home series that'll conclude at Madison Square Garden in 2024-25.

Kentucky Wildcats — Feb. 10, Rupp Arena

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Mark Few will give his team one final test late in the regular season when the Zags travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to face the Wildcats at Rupp Arena for the first time. 

Last season saw Gonzaga best Kentucky at the Spokane Arena in a top-10 showdown, though new faces are set to step up this time around. Big Blue won't have Oscar Tshiebwe down low, but it brought in the No. 1-ranked recruiting class according to 247Sports headlined by Justin Edwards (No. 3 ranked recruit), Aaron Bradshaw (No. 5) and DJ Wagner (No. 6). Bradshaw is likely to miss time with a foot injury, but the Wildcats are deep with young talent regardless.

Following a loss in the second round to Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats ranked 17th in ESPN's way-too-early power rankings. Depending on how the season goes along, fans could be in store for another top-25 showdown between the two basketball powerhouses.

San Diego State Aztecs — Dec. 29, McCarthey Athletic Center

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Gonzaga wraps up the calendar year with a matchup against last year's national champion runner-up, San Diego State, in what could be the only top-25 nonconference foe that travels to Spokane this season.

The Aztecs lost a handful of key pieces over the offseason, including All-MWC member Matt Bradley, but returned two starters and brought in USC transfer Reese Dixon-Waters. Brian Dutcher's experienced squad will be locked in on the defense end as they always are, making for a tough opponent to face on any given night.

And on the night of Dec. 29, it's unlikely The Kennel's student section will be at full capacity to cheer on the Zags, as students won't return to campus from winter break until classes start on Jan. 16. Gonzaga has hosted tune-up games in the McCarthey Athletic Center when students are gone, though this is likely going to be a top-25 matchup.

The Zags and Aztecs square off after finalizing a two-year home-and-home series that'll conclude in San Diego, California, in 2024.

Washington Huskies — Dec. 9, Alaska Airlines Arena

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The in-state rivalry is renewed one more time in Seattle, Washington, exactly one year after the Zags defeated the Huskies, 77-60, in Spokane. Unfortunately, COVID-19 complications have prevented the two teams from squaring off in recent seasons, but when they do meet, there's always potential for a thrilling ending.

The last time Gonzaga visited Alaska Airlines Arena in 2019, Joel Ayayi and Killian Tillie delivered clutch plays down the stretch of a thrilling 83-76 victory over the No. 22 Huskies. That came just a year after Rui Hachimura knocked down the go-ahead jumper with one second on the clock to lift the Zags past the relentless Huskies, 81-79, in Spokane. While Washington owns the all-time head-to-head record, recent victories by the narrowest of margins have helped Gonzaga win 14 of the previous 15 matchups.

Mike Hopkins revamped his squad over the offseason with seven newcomers in 2023, headlined by Portland transfer Moses Wood and former Kentucky guard Sahvir Wheeler. Wesley Yates, No. 51 in ESPN 100, joins the ranks while leading scorer Keion Brooks is back for his fifth season.