Previewing Gonzaga's 2026-27 Notable Nonconference Opponents

Although neither their 2026-27 roster nor full schedule is finalized, the Gonzaga Bulldogs have several marquee nonconference matchups set in stone for this season. The Zags always try to play the toughest opponents possible outside their league, aiming to build a strong resume for NCAA Tournament seeding.

Last year, things didn’t go as planned, with Michigan and Alabama being viewed as the only quality teams Gonzaga played by March. But even with their horrid loss to the Wolverines, GU earned a 3-seed with a 30-3 record and a 16-2 mark in WCC play. Also, fellow West Coast Conference teams Saint Mary’s and Santa Clara punched tickets to the dance, and the Bulldogs won three of their four matchups against those two.

Even with its transition to the revamped Pac-12, Gonzaga still doesn’t play in a conference on the level of the country’s power schools. So this season, the Zags have assembled one of the nation’s most daunting non-conference slates, including 10 power conference programs and four of last season’s NCAA Tournament participants.