Busting Brackets
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Gonzaga Basketball: Ranking Bulldogs 2020 non-conference opponents

By Tristan Freeman

TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts from the sidelines of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 14: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts from the sidelines of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center on December 14, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 01: The Maryland Terrapins celebrates after winning the Orlando Invitational (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 01: The Maryland Terrapins celebrates after winning the Orlando Invitational (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

Potential Orlando Invitational opponents – Nov. 26-29 (N)

7. Boise State Broncos (20-12, 11-7 in Mountain West)

Leading scorer Derrick Alston (17.3 ppg and 3.1 apg) comes back for the Broncos but the absence of all-time program sharpshooter Justinian Jessup and forward Roderick Williams will be felt. There are four incoming transfers, however, that should have an impact in the rotation, including Portland guard Marcus Shaver Jr. and Arizona wing Emmanuel Akot.

6. Siena Saints (20-10, 15-5 in MAAC)

After winning the MAAC regular-season title last season, the Saints return both their star players in Jalen Pickett (15.1 ppg and 6.0 apg) and Manny Camper (13.7 ppg and10.4 rpg). They’ll miss forward Elijah Burns but does return most of the roster. That continuity will benefit Siena next season.

5. Auburn Tigers (25-6, 12-6 in SEC)

The top six scorers from the Tigers are gone but five-star freshman guard Sharife Cooper will have a major impact out of the gate. Top-50 forward JT Thor will be an anchor down low while returning guard Devan Cambridge will have a much bigger role as a likely starter. After being one of the oldest teams in the country last year, Auburn will now be one of the youngest and have a transition period in the non-conference.

4. Saint Louis Billikens (23-8, 12-6 in Atlantic 10)

The Billikens are the only program in the country that returns two players who averaged a double-double in Jordan Goodwin and Hasahn French. Point guard Yuri Collins (5.5 apg) also comes back, as well as fellow starters Demarius Jacobs Jimmy Bell Jr. That doesn’t even include Javonte Perkins, one of the best 6th men in the country at 15.0 ppg.

3. Belmont Bruins (26-7, 15-3 in Ohio Valley)

The Bruins lose double-digit contributor Tyler Scanlon but returns a dynamic trio responsible for most of the wins last season. Rising juniors Nick Muszynski and Adam Kunkel are All-Ohio Valley stars, while point guard Grayson Murphy (6.2 apg) is a triple-double machine in the making. If they can get a little more depth from the rest of the roster, Belmont will win the conference over fellow contenders Murray State and Austin Peay.

2. Xavier Musketeers (19-13, 8-10 in Big East)

Despite losing All-Big East performers Naji Marshall and Tyrique Jones, Xavier still returns a good amount of production to be a contender in the league. Guard Paul Scruggs will be a big-time star at the point guard position, while forwards Jason Carter and Zach Freemantle will have even bigger roles next season. If sophomore guard Kyky Tandy and grad transfer shooter Nate Johnson can be solid contributors in the backcourt, the Musketeers will be an NCAA Tournament team.

1. Michigan State Spartans (22-9, 14-6 in Big Ten)

All-American point guard Cassius Winston is gone, and the futures of both Xavier Tillman and Gabe Brown are still in doubt for the NBA Draft. But even if both are gone, the Spartans still will be a nationally ranked team and a contender in the Big Ten once again. Aaron Henry and Rocket Watts will be breakout candidates, while Marquette transfer Joey Hauser is set to be a star. Freshmen AJ Hoggard and Mady Sissoko are both talented prospects, while a possible return of Joshua Langford, who missed the past two seasons with serious leg issues, could be in the cards. In this tournament, a Michigan State-Gonzaga finals is the ideal situation for neutral fans.

The Orlando Invitational may not feature many Final Four contenders but each program in the field is either a preseason frontrunner for their respective conference or an at-large candidate for the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Even the mid-majors will be far from easily beatable and would all be better than the bottom half of the upcoming schedule of teams.