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Gonzaga Basketball: Ranking set non-conference opponents for 2023-24 season

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 23, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few reacts during a time out against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2023; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few reacts during a time out against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Purdue Boilermakers center Zach Edey (15) shoots a free throw during the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Kentucky Wildcats

2022-23 season record: 22-12 (12-6 SEC)

Gonzaga defeated Kentucky a year ago in Spokane and will now travel to Kentucky in a rematch. And as usual with John Calipari-coached teams, it’s a completely new roster. Antonio Reeves and WVU transfer Tre Mitchell are the lone veterans on the roster, with a ton of five-star freshmen joining the team. Guards DJ Wagner and Robert Dillingham will run the backcourt while top-5 NBA Draft prospect Justin Edwards is the guy to watch on the wings.

2. UConn Huskies

2022-23 season record: 31-8 (13-7 Big East)

UConn dominated Gonzaga in the Elite 8 matchup on its way to winning it all last season. They do lose several key pieces from that roster, including leading scorers, Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins. But starters Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban are back, as well as center Donovan Clingan, a consensus national breakout candidate. Expect the Huskies to be a top-10 team by the time they face on the schedule.

1. Purdue Boilermakers

2022-23 season record: 29-6 (15-5 Big Ten)

Purdue beat Gonzaga Basketball by 18 points last season in the PK85 Tournament last season and they’re set to bring back just about everyone. That includes National Player of the Year big man, Zach Edey. Guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer are expected to take jumps as sophomores and Southern Illinois transfer Lance Jones adds backcourt depth.

Next. Ranking all 362 D-I head coaches for 2023-24. dark

This year’s Maui Invitational is as loaded as ever, featuring not only Gonzaga and Purdue but also Marquette, UCLA, Tennessee, Syracuse, and Kansas. So the Bulldogs are going to have three tough games in the event regardless but the toughest possible one is the opening round matchup with the Boilermakers.

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