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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TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 21: Jordan Davis #0 of the Northern Colorado Bears (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – NOVEMBER 21: Jordan Davis #0 of the Northern Colorado Bears (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

12. Bellarmine Knights (20-12) – Dec. 21 (H)

In their first season as a D-I program, the Knights are going to have their struggles without Alex Cook, who led the team last year at 16.6 ppg. The lone returning player who averaged in double figures is Dylan Penn, the team’s starting point guard at 11.6 ppg and 2.7 apg. Bellarmine, who lost its two D-I matchups last season by just 10 points each, will be in the Atlantic Sun. But they’ll get a rude introduction at the highest level by the Bulldogs.

11. Tarleton State Texans (18-12) – Dec. 14 (H)

Former Texas A&M head coach Billy Gillespie is back at the D-I level with the Texans, now playing in the WAC. Considering the early success Cal Baptist had as a newcomer, Tarleton State hopes to be a contender in a league wide-open after New Mexico State. But without leading scorer and rebounder Josh Hawley and top guard Randall Broddie, they don’t return any double-digit performers. The coaching will make them competitive and the Texans will bring back most of the roster. Still, they won’t have any hope against Gonzaga.

10. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (16-14, 10-10 in Big Sky) – Dec. 28 (H)

The return of leading scorer and passer Cameron Shelton buoys the Lumberjacks for next season but the graduation of Brooks DeBisschop and transfer departures of two other starters will hurt. The hope is that Luke Avdalovic takes another step, along with transfers Malcolm Porter and Jay Green having a big impact on Northern Arizona. Shelton will be a Big Sky Player of the Year candidate depending on the team’s placement in the standings but the lack of a frontcourt is a concern.