Gonzaga Basketball has been known for playing a tough non-conference schedule, willing to take on anyone, anywhere. Not too long ago, friends and coaches Mark Few and John Calipari agreed on playing a multi-year series at both Spokane and Kentucky.
That agreement may be the last chance for the Bulldogs have to build an at-large resume. After losing at home to Saint Mary's, Gonzaga now remains without a single Quad 1 victory this late into the season. And with the road game at San Francisco being viewed as a neutral site battle, there are only two more chances at getting some kind of signature win before the WCC Tournament.
This weekend has the Bulldogs coming to Lexington to take on Kentucky, currently ranked in the top 25 and safely in the NCAA Tournament at-large field. The Wildcats are known for their explosive offense, currently No. 1 nationally at 89.7 ppg. They're coming off a 109-77 blowout win over Vanderbilt.
This asks the question... does Gonzaga have any hope of pulling off the upset? They won by 16 points a year ago but these are decidedly different rosters. Still, Coach Few has beaten Calipari before and as the NCAA Tournament streak since 1998 shows, he always finds a way to get the needed wins.
This might be his toughest task to date. But in college basketball, there's always hope. Here are a few keys to the Bulldogs getting the desperately needed non-con victory.