Gonzaga Prepares for San Diego Challenge in Final WCC Visit to Jenny Craig Pavilion
SAN DIEGO - Gonzaga’s Sunday night win over Pepperdine was as dominant as they come - a 96-56 statement to open West Coast Conference play. But there’s no time to bask in the blowout. The Zags are already shifting gears for their next stop: a Tuesday night road test against San Diego, a team that’s quietly building some momentum of its own.
Head coach Mark Few hadn’t yet dived into the full scouting report on the Toreros when he met with reporters postgame, but he’s seen enough to know his team can’t afford to overlook them. San Diego is coming off a 66-54 win over Pacific, a team that’s taken a noticeable step forward this season. And just over a week ago, the Toreros notched what’s likely their best win of the year - an 82-80 road victory over UC San Diego, a squad that entered the game with just one prior loss and an NCAA Tournament appearance under its belt from last season.
Few didn’t mince words about the challenge ahead. “They beat UC San Diego on the road - that’s a very, very good team,” he said.
“So I’m sure they’ll be riding high into our game. We’ve got to turn this around quickly and get ready.”
Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. at Jenny Craig Pavilion, and the matchup will air on KHQ and ESPN+.
Four Games in Eight Days: The Gauntlet Begins
This week marks one of the more grueling stretches on Gonzaga’s calendar. After wrapping up the Pepperdine game, the Zags are staring down two road games in three days, followed by a quick turnaround back home for matchups against Seattle and Loyola Marymount to close out a four-games-in-eight-days run. That’s a lot of basketball in a short window - even for a team as deep and disciplined as Gonzaga.
“Rest up tonight, get into the film, understand we’re going up against a good team in USD,” said point guard Braeden Smith. “And just try to keep it rolling, take one game at a time.”
A New-Look Toreros Squad
Last season, San Diego finished a rough 6-27 overall, with just two wins in conference play. But this year’s team looks a lot different.
Only one player from their last meeting with Gonzaga - guard KJay Bradley Jr. - is still on the roster, and he hasn’t played yet this season due to undisclosed reasons. That means the Zags are preparing for a completely overhauled lineup, one led by three Division I transfers who are all averaging double figures.
At the top of that list is Ty-Laur Johnson, a dynamic guard who started his college career at Louisville before spending a season at Wake Forest. He’s putting up 13.7 points per game while leading the WCC in steals at 2.3 per contest. Johnson also chips in 3.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds, and he’s the engine that drives San Diego’s offense and defense alike.
Gonzaga just saw a similar backcourt threat in Pepperdine’s Aaron Clark, another former Wake Forest guard. The Zags held Clark to just four points on 2-of-14 shooting - a defensive performance they’ll look to replicate against Johnson.
Another name to watch is Juanse Gorosito, a 6-foot guard from Argentina who’s no stranger to the WCC. He spent two seasons at Portland before transferring to Ball State, then made his way back west this year. Gorosito is averaging a career-best 10.8 points per game and is shooting a sharp 39% from beyond the arc.
Then there’s Toneari Lane, a 6-foot-5 guard with stops at Winthrop and Georgia State. He’s also averaging 10.8 points, though he came off the bench in San Diego’s win over Pacific.
Toreros Finding Their Rhythm
San Diego’s win over Pacific wasn’t just a solid start to conference play - it was a sign that this team may be turning a corner. The Toreros shot 40% from deep, knocking down 12 of 30 three-point attempts, and held the Tigers to just 54 points - the fewest they’ve allowed all season. Pacific also coughed up the ball 21 times, a testament to San Diego’s growing defensive intensity.
“All the games we already played, we talked about reset,” Johnson said after the win. “This was a fresh start and we started off well today.”
Zags’ Dominance in the Matchup
History is heavily on Gonzaga’s side. The Zags have won 19 straight games against San Diego, a streak that dates back to 2014. Under Mark Few, Gonzaga is 52-4 all-time against the Toreros, and each of the last 11 meetings has been decided by double digits.
But this is the final time Gonzaga will visit Jenny Craig Pavilion as a member of the WCC, and San Diego has every reason to bring its best. The Zags, now 13-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play, aren’t just managing a loaded schedule - they’re defending their legacy in a league they’ve long dominated.
With a new-look Toreros team eager to prove itself and a demanding week ahead, Gonzaga’s focus will be tested. But if Sunday’s performance was any indication, this group is locked in - and ready for whatever comes next.