Gonzaga Bulldogs to face more Power 5 teams in 2022-23
Teresa Powe
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The 2021-22 Gonzaga Bulldogs’ season ended with a thud at the NCAA Sweet Sixteen instead of with the bang of a championship. Will an amped up Power 5 non-conference schedule this season help the Bulldogs get to the championship?
Although the Gonzaga Bulldogs didn’t get the ending they wanted or envisioned, they have some things to look forward to that will ensure they return to the top. Most importantly, Drew Timme, Julian Strawther, and Rasir Bolton have returned to Spokane. Gonzaga was also lucky enough to get two-star players from the transfer portal, Efton Reid (LSU) and Malachi Smith (Tennessee-Chattanooga).
2022-23 Power 5 matchups
Like last season, the Gonzaga Bulldogs will be in heavy matchups with Power Five teams. This season includes Kentucky, Baylor, and Alabama. The Bulldogs will need to have their game together to beat teams like these.
- Texas Longhorns (Big 12) November 16
- Kentucky Wildcats (SEC) November 20
- Purdue (Big 10) or West Virginia (Big 12) (TBD) November 25
- Baylor Bears (Big 12) December 2
- Washington Huskies (Pac-12) December 9
- Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC) December 17
Fans can only hope this series of games will prepare the Gonzaga Bulldogs for the NCAA tourney this Spring.
Other non-conference matchups
The Bulldogs have six other non-conference games. So, there are 12 games before the West Coast Conference season starts.
- North Florida Ospreys – November 7
- Portland State Vikings – November 20
- Kent State Flashes – December 5
- Northern Illinois Huskies – December 12
- Montana Grizzlies – December 20
- Eastern Oregon Mountaineers – December 28
Final Thoughts
Last spring, the Gonzaga Bulldogs had some areas of concern when it got to March Madness. Ball handling and free throws.
They missed free throws that could have won an important game last season. Poor ball handling got them tossed from the NCAA tournament by Arkansas at Sweet Sixteen.
I’m sure coach Mark Few will do all he can to rectify these problems before the season starts.
Let’s hope Coach Mark Few rectified these problems before the season starts.