Gonzaga will start the 2025-26 season in Spokane against Texas Southern on November 3rd. The member of the SWAC always tests themselves against the top competition during the non-conference, traveling across the country for buy game opportunities against power conference programs. This is an underrated challenge to open up the season for the Zags before the true gauntlet begins.<\/p>\n
The Tigers are heading into their eighth year under the tenure of coach Johnny Jones. He has led the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances during that stretch. In 2024-25, Texas Southern finished with a 15-17 overall record, 12-6 in league play, which placed them in a tie for third in the SWAC standings.<\/p>\n
Here is where the full 2025-26 non-conference schedule for the Zags currently stands:<\/p>\n
Kraziness in the Kennel (McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane) – October 4th<\/p>\n
Texas Southern (McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane) – November 3rd<\/p>\n
Oklahoma (Spokane Arena in Spokane) – November 8th<\/p>\n
Creighton (McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane) – November 11th<\/p>\n
Arizona State (Desert Financial Arena in Tempe) – November 14th<\/p>\n
Southern Utah (McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane) – November 17th<\/p>\n
*Alabama (Players Era Festival in Las Vegas) – November 24th<\/p>\n
*Maryland (Players Era Festival in Las Vegas) – November 25th<\/p>\n
*Players Era Festival in Las Vegas (consolation\/third place\/championship) – November 26th<\/p>\n
Kentucky (Bridgestone Arena in Nashville) – December 5th<\/p>\n
UCLA (Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle) – December 13th<\/p>\n
Campbell (McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane) – December 17th<\/p>\n
Baylor – Date\/location to be determined<\/p>\n
*Arena location for the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas will be at either the MGM Grand Garden Arena or the Michelob ULTRA Arena; Winner receives $1 million, 2nd place at $500,000, 3rd place receives $300,000, 4th place with $200,000<\/p>\n
That\u2019s a total of 12 non-conference games right now, with 18 West Coast Conference games to be played as well. In 2025-26, the maximum games played for a college basketball program is 31 before it bumps up to 32 in 2026-27. One more buy game against one final mid-to-low major program is expected to be announced.<\/p>\n
The final slate of opponents for WCC play will start on December 28th (official dates\/times to be announced later) and look like this:<\/p>\n
Home: Loyola Marymount, Pacific<\/p>\n
Away: Oregon State, San Diego<\/p>\n
Home and Away: Saint Mary\u2019s, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Washington State, Seattle, Portland, Pepperdine<\/p>\n
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho<\/p>\n