Gonzaga Basketball: 2017-18 season preview for the Bulldogs

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov 23 – Ohio State (PK80)

Nov 24 – Florida/Stanford (PK80)

Dec 1 – Creighton

Dec 5 – Villanova (Jimmy V Classic)

Dec 21 – @ San Diego State

Mark Few has once again set the Gonzaga Bulldogs up with a tough non-conference schedule to boost their NCAA Tournament resume. The Zags are guaranteed at least four games against 2017 NCAA Tournament teams: Texas Southern, North Dakota, Creighton, and Villanova. In addition, the Zags will have a tough game in the second round of the PK80, whether they play Florida or Stanford, and have a possibility of playing Duke in the tournament final. The road game against San Diego State will be a good test, as the Aztecs look like a bubble team heading into the season.

Key Conference Games

Jan 13 – @ San Francisco

Jan 18 – Saint Mary’s

Feb 3 – BYU

Feb 10 – @ Saint Mary’s

Feb 24 – @ BYU

As always, the Gonzaga Bulldogs will be subject to criticism over the strength of their conference. Whether the criticism is justified or not, it is clear that Gonzaga’s conference schedule is not as tough as the high-major schools with which they are generally compared. This season, however, Gonzaga will have a tougher time dealing with their schedule than they did last season. Saint Mary’s is a school Gonzaga could very well lose two of three against, and BYU seems to always give Gonzaga a surprisingly close game. While Gonzaga’s game at San Francisco seems tough on the surface, it takes place before school is in session, leaving the Dons without a full student section.