Dixie State vs Gonzaga: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Joey Loose
Gonzaga kicks off the season with a home date with Dixie State; what kind of fight will the Trailblazers put up against the Bulldogs in the season debut?
TV schedule: Tuesday, November 9, 9:00 pm ET. ESPN
Arena: McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington
new college basketball season begins, with Dixie State entering their second season as a D1 program. The Trailblazers are looking to improve on last season’s 8-13 record, getting a better chance to establish themselves in a more normal season. Seemingly buried in an ever-changing WAC, Dixie State might actually make a few waves this year.
Most of the Trailblazers’ starters return for another season, highlighted by guard Cameron Gooden (13.1 ppg last year) and forward Hunter Schofield (12.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg), the two leading scorers for an offense that struggled last season. Dixie State returns a number of other role players from last season, with junior guard Frank Staine (9.9 ppg) the most exciting of the bunch.
The initial KenPom rankings have Dixie State sitting 310th, which seems about right for a program expected to finish near the bottom of the WAC standings again. The offense was a struggle and the defense wasn’t much better, with that 4-10 mark in conference play not exactly stunning work. However, this program is still adjusting to D1 athletics and head coach Jon Judkins will have the Trailblazers trending upwards eventually.
Across the court, the principal focus will be on Gonzaga, who begins the year hoping to top last year’s success, where they took an undefeated record all the way to a national championship loss to Baylor. Not only do the Bulldogs return a ton of talent but boast a pretty incredible recruiting class. This Gonzaga crew gets their first taste of action in a game that shouldn’t be much of a challenge.
First and foremost, top recruit Chet Holmgren, the 7’1 freshman standout, gets his first taste of college action. Forward Drew Timme (19.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg last year) looks to build on last season and gives Gonzaga the best frontcourt in the nation. Gonzaga also adds former Iowa State point guard Rasir Bolton, who averaged 15.5 points last year, as well as 5-star recruit Hunter Sallis, a talented combo guard who slides right into the lineup.
Gonzaga begins the season #1 in the AP Top 25 and atop the initial KenPom rankings. The Bulldogs were #1 in offensive efficiency each of the last three seasons and this team could certainly make it four straight years. This team is going to put up a lot of points and make quite an impact on the defensive side of the ball as well.
These two teams played last season just before New Year’s, with Gonzaga handling Dixie State in a drama-free game, winning 112-67 for Gonzaga’s biggest blowout win of the year. With the experience on the Trailblazers’ roster, it’s possible that this game is a little closer, but it still trends as a bit of a laugher. Dixie State simply doesn’t have the size or talent to compete with Holmgren and Timme.
Next. Gonzaga 2021-22 season preview. dark
This is meant as no disrespect, but it’s pretty clear that Dixie State is overmatched once more. Gonzaga starts their new season with an easy win, hoping to get some of their new players established into the offense. It would take something pretty crazy for this game to be in doubt, though it’ll be very interesting to see how all these pieces work together. Expect that to be the biggest drama of the night.