Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: Ranking Bulldogs 2019-20 non-conference opponents

By Andy Patton

SPOKANE, WA - FEBRUARY 21: Fans for the Gonzaga Bulldogs cheer for their team in the game against the Pepperdine Waves at McCarthey Athletic Center on February 21, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Pepperdine 92-64. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA - FEBRUARY 21: Fans for the Gonzaga Bulldogs cheer for their team in the game against the Pepperdine Waves at McCarthey Athletic Center on February 21, 2019 in Spokane, Washington. Gonzaga defeated Pepperdine 92-64. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 06: Austin Fadal #1 of the Eastern Washington Eagles controls the ball between Tanner Groves (L) of the Eastern Washington Eagles and Bourama Sidibe (R) of the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on November 06, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 06: Austin Fadal #1 of the Eastern Washington Eagles controls the ball between Tanner Groves (L) of the Eastern Washington Eagles and Bourama Sidibe (R) of the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome on November 06, 2018 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images) /

11. CSU-Bakersfield (11/23)

The Roadrunners of Cal-State Bakersfield finished fifth in the WAC last season, going 18-16 overall and 7-9 in conference play. They were led by guard Jarkel Joiner, who transferred to Ole Miss, and guard Rickey Holden, who graduated.

The Zags have hosted Bakersfield three times, including last year for an 89-54 throbbing. Expect even worse results without Bakersfield’s two best players in the mix.

10. Texas Southern (12/4)

The Zags have made a habit out of hosting the Texas Southern Tigers in Spokane, as this will be the third time they bring them out west and the fifth time since 2008.

The Zags are 4-0 in that stretch, and shouldn’t have an issue pushing that to 5-0 – especially after the Tigers lost Jeremy Combs and Jalyn Patterson to graduation.

9. Detroit Mercy (12/30)

The Zags final non-conference game of the season will be hosting the Detroit Mercy of the Horizon League.

Many felt the Titans would challenge for the top spot in the Horizon League last year, but they finished a very disappointing eighth with an 11-20 record.

Sophomore guard Antoine Davis was one of the most unheralded starts in college hoops last year though, putting up 26.1 points as a true freshman and breaking Stephen Curry’s record for three-pointers made in a freshman season.

He’ll be back, along with Brad Calipari, the son of Kentucky coach John Calipari, who transferred and will be eligible to play immediately.

The Zags will need to contain Davis in this one, or at least not let anyone else score, but grabbing a win shouldn’t be an issue.

8. UT-Arlington (11/19)

The Mavericks of UT-Arlington put together a respectable season last year, going 12-6 in conference and 17-16 overall, including wins over Northern Iowa and UC-Davis. That led to a second place finish in the Sun Belt conference, although a loss to Georgia State eliminated them from tournament consideration.

They got trounced by the Zags, 89-55, earlier in the year, and even though they have some potential a similar result can be expected this time around.

7. Eastern Washington (12/21)

The Eagles of Eastern Washington will make the 30 minute jaunt to Spokane to take on the Zags for the first time since 2011, in what should be a well-attended game – even though it will be over the winter break.

The Eagles were six points away from going to the NCAA tournament last year, falling to Montana State in the Big Sky championship.

The team lost forward Jesse Hunt, who averaged 14.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists last year, to graduation, but they return both guard Jacob Davison and forward Mason Peatling.

They have a great chance to win the Big Sky this year, and a more neutral crowd could make things slightly interesting, but the Zags should move to 8-0 against their local rival.