Gonzaga is entering the marquee portion of its attractive nonconference men’s basketball schedule. First up: Notre Dame, a 27-win team last season – one of those ‘W’s’ came against Gonzaga – that is dealing with the loss of standout forward Tim Abromaitis to a torn ACL last week. The Fighting Irish (5-2) open GU’s arduous stretch of games that includes Illinois, Michigan State, Arizona, Butler and Xavier before the arrival of 2012. Tip-off is at 8:20 at the McCarthey Athletic Center. “That’s why everybody comes here, to play in those big games,” junior forward Elias Harris said/Jim Meehan, SR. More here. (AP file photo: Notre Dame coach Mike Brey)

Question: How will Gonzaga do against marquee teams in preseason?