In a recent chat with Tim Staudt on The Game 730 AM, Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo revealed an exciting matchup on the horizon. The Spartans are set to face off against coach Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2026-27 season. While the specifics like the date and location are still up in the air, California is the likely battleground for this non-conference clash.
Looking at Gonzaga’s potential non-conference lineup for 2026-27, fans can expect a thrilling series of games. The Bulldogs are scheduled to take on the Purdue Boilermakers at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on November 2.
They’ll also travel to face the Kentucky Wildcats at the iconic Rupp Arena. A showdown with the UCLA Bruins is in the cards, though details are still being finalized.
The Zags will battle the Oregon Ducks at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena and visit the Creighton Bluejays in Omaha. The much-anticipated matchup against Michigan State will add to this robust schedule in California.
Additionally, Gonzaga will participate in the Players Era Festival, hosted at the MGM Grand Garden Arena or Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas. The Oregon Ducks game is still tentative, possibly shifting to the 2027-28 season.
To balance this demanding schedule, Gonzaga will include a few buy games against mid-major teams. Starting next season, the NCAA permits 16 non-conference games, giving teams like Gonzaga ample opportunity to fine-tune their strategies.
Marking a significant transition, the Bulldogs will officially join the Pac-12 Conference on July 1, 2026. This move introduces them to a 16-game regular-season conference slate, featuring home-and-away matchups against teams like the San Diego State Aztecs, Utah State Aggies, and Washington State Cougars, among others. Home games will be played at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington, promising fans plenty of high-stakes basketball action.