Gonzaga’s annual Kraziness in the Kennel arrives Saturday with plenty more than a routine preseason workout attached to it.
Mark Few’s team will unveil its 2026-27 roster in front of the home crowd on Oct. 3, with the afternoon built around the usual mix of a three-point shootout, a skills challenge and a 20-minute intrasquad scrimmage. This year’s version also comes with the Bulldogs officially stepping into the Pac-12, giving the event a little extra shine.
One of the biggest questions hanging over the day is whether Gonzaga’s three fifth-year senior transfer additions will be on the floor. Xaivian Lee is eligible right now, while Javon Bennett and Chauncey Wiggins are not. That said, both could still be cleared to practice, which would make them available for Saturday’s event.
There’s also a major recruiting name in the building. Gene Roebuck, a 4-star wing from La Mirada, CA, will be in Spokane for his second official visit to Gonzaga. He was on campus last year for the season-opening win over Texas Southern, and this trip comes after a strong summer with Dream Vision on the Adidas 3SSB circuit.
Roebuck, a 6'5 shooting guard, is ranked No. 44 in the 2027 class at Rivals and No. 46 at 247Sports. Gonzaga has targeted him for his offensive package, especially his outside shot and his ability to attack downhill and finish at the rim. Cal and Washington have both hosted him recently, but getting him back to Spokane is a strong sign, and there’s even a chance a decision could come as soon as Saturday after the Kraziness events.
The Bulldogs are bringing in 11 new players this season, and six of them are set to make their college basketball debut. Five of those six are expected to take part on Saturday, with 6'10 forward Izan Almansa the only newcomer expected to sit out.
Almansa, a 21-year-old from Spain, remains ineligible with the NCAA because of his professional status with the G League Ignite in 2023-24, along with his time in the NBL and with Real Madrid. Unless that changes before Saturday, or he receives a practice waiver, he’ll be held out while Gonzaga waits on the NCAA.
The rest of the first-timers will be out there for fans to see. True freshmen Luca Foster and Sam Funches, walk-on Carter Nilson, and French guards Nathan de Sousa and Juwan Ekanga are all expected to take the floor in front of the Kennel crowd for the first time.
There’s one more wrinkle to Saturday’s event, too. The McCarthey Athletic Center has been alcohol-free since it opened in 2004, but that changes in 2026-27.
Gonzaga announced in mid-July that it would begin selling alcohol at men’s and women’s basketball games this season at designated concession stands, and it’s expected to start with Kraziness. Alcohol will be allowed in regular seating areas, though the student section must remain alcohol free under Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board rules.
Between the roster reveal, the Pac-12 celebration, the recruiting spotlight and the change in arena policy, this year’s Kraziness in the Kennel has a little bit of everything.
The event begins at 2:00 PM PT on Saturday, Oct. 3, with local coverage on SWX.
In Other News...
Gonzagas Wazzu Matchup Carries New Intrigue For One Big Reason
Washington State is heading into a season that already carries plenty of interest, with an intra-squad scrimmage to open camp and a nonconference slate that brings Duke, LSU, Gonzaga and the Wildcats into the picture. For the Cougars, the early months will be less about comfort and more about measuring where they stand after a losing season, with the added storyline of incoming transfers and a coaching staff trying to push the program forward.
The Gonzaga matchup stands out for another reason, too, because these regional games always seem to come with a little extra context attached. Between past meetings, the uncertainty around player availability for some opponents and the broader questions facing both programs, this one has a different feel than a typical early-season test. For Gonzaga fans, it is another reminder that even familiar dates can pick up new intrigue once the roster and eligibility picture starts to settle. [Read more 🡒]