Zags release non-conference schedule

Gonzaga released its non-conference schedule Thursday, which essentially amounted to filling out a few home matchups to go along with the previously announced marquee contests.

More below.

Gonzaga’s men’s basketball schedule will take the Zags to Japan, the Bahamas and Dallas, and home against Pac-12 powers Arizona and UCLA.

Most of the non-conference matchups were already known, including tilts with Pittsburgh in Okinawa, Washington State, Arizona, Montana, UCLA, Tennessee in the Battle in Seattle and SMU, as well as the Battle 4 Atlantis opener against Washington.

All but one non-conference opponent had at least a .500 record last season and at least five won 20-plus games. Gonzaga’s home slate also includes Northern Arizona, Mount St. Mary’s and Saint Martin’s.

“The strength of this schedule is in the top two or three schedules we’ve put together and when you factor in travel, it makes it even tougher,” coach Mark Few said. “The schedule puts us in great events that are high exposure with high-level opponents. It will serve us well in building our resume for the NCAA Tournament.”

Gonzaga will open with an exhibition game against Eastern Oregon on Nov. 7. The home opener is Nov. 18 against NAU.

More here and the full schedule here .

—The Zags will appear at least 13 times on ESPN networks. Five non-conference games (Pitt, Arizona, UCLA, Tennessee and SMU) and eight WCC contests, including twice versus BYU, Saint Mary’s and Pepperdine, will be aired on ESPN stations.

WCC release here