Gonzaga Basketball: 3 keys to important non-con home matchup with San Diego State

Collectively, we're about 99% done with non-conference games for the 2023-24 season, outside of Independent program, Chicago State. That includes Gonzaga Basketball, who does have a February matchup at Kentucky but just one game before WCC play gets going in January.

The Bulldogs are at home in Spokane to take on San Diego State (10-2). They're a program that's normally compared to Gonzaga in terms of being a consistently good western program outside of power conference ranks and usually places in the top-tier of the Mountain West Conference.

Last season, the program made history by making the Final Four and national title game for the first time in school and conference history. Just like Gonzaga, their postseason was ended by the UConn Huskies. The Aztecs had some roster changes but still has a veteran squad capable of beating just about anyone.

So far, San Diego State has wins over Stanford, Cal, Saint Mary's, and a Washington team that Gonzaga itself couldn't defeat. With losses to just BYU and Grand Canyon, a case can be made that the Aztecs have a better overall resume than the Bulldogs.

And that's what makes this such an important game for Gonzaga since the WCC doesn't have any better opportunities for a resume-builder outside of a future trip to Moraga. A loss would be damagi For a closer look at a key matchup for the Bulldogs, here's a look at the keys for the home team winning.