Gonzaga basketball makes lemonade from Pac-12 cancellations
The Gonzaga basketball team was left with a giant hole in their schedule after the Pac-12 canceled all sports until 2021. Monday, the Zags took a big step toward filling that hole.
The upcoming Gonzaga basketball season received a significant blow last week when the Pac-12 canceled all sporting events through January 1, 2021. Games against Arizona, Washington, and Southern Cal were all scrapped, leaving a big hole in the Zags schedule. Monday, the school made lemonade out of lemons.
A Bear of an opponent
Gonzaga agreed to face the Baylor Bears from the Big 12 sometime before their respective conference seasons begin. This game is not only a coup for Gonzaga basketball, but it’s also a win for college basketball fans as a whole. In the most recent CBS Sports College Basketball Poll, Gonzaga and Baylor are one and two in the rankings. Other polls have both schools in the top three. Some favor the Zags, others Baylor.
Zags head coach Mark Few confirmed the agreement to play in an interview with Matt Norlander of CBS Sports.
“We will be playing Baylor this year in some form or fashion, as opportunities have opened up to do more of these type of games for the good of college basketball.” – Gonzaga basketball coach Mark Few
Although the schools have agreed to face each other, details about where and when they play remain undecided. The Zags and Bears might come out ahead on the deal as television networks will pay big money to broadcast the matchup. The McCarthey Center in Spokane is a good home for the battle. But a neutral court somewhere in between, such as Las Vegas or Denver, seems like a more appropriate place to play.’
Other opportunities
Several other top basketball schools aside from Gonzaga and Baylor got blindsided by the Pac-12’s decision. They are in search of replacement games as well.
Both Kentucky and Marquette had UCLA on their schedules. Kansas was due to play against Colorado and USC. In the Big Ten, Michigan lost a matchup with Oregon, and Illinois had Arizona removed from their intended docket. Closer to home, Montana has an opening.
Basketball fans shouldn’t be surprised if the Zags line up another big game. They have never been afraid to take on the big boys of college basketball.
In 2020-21 the Gonzaga basketball team is led by two key returners, senior Corey Kispert, junior Joel Ayayi. Five-star freshman point guard Jalen Suggs joins the pair.
How do you feel about adding more top teams to an already packed Gonzaga basketball schedule? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.