Gonzaga's men's basketball team, currently ranked #19, hosts Southern Utah on November 17 at 6 p.m. PT. The Zags enter the game at 4-0 after a 77-65 victory against Arizona State, where Graham Ike led with 20 points and 9 rebounds. Gonzaga's defense ranks among the best in the nation, topping various metrics in field goal percentage defense and overall defensive rebounds. They have historically performed well against Southern Utah, winning two of the three past matchups, the most recent by 38 points in 2012. The Thunderbirds, coming off a narrow loss to Omaha, will look to improve their record of 1-3.

By the Numbers
  • Gonzaga leads the West Coast Conference in field goal percentage defense (34.4%) and three-point field goal defense (25.5%).
  • Graham Ike has scored 2,031 career points, ranking second among active NCAA Division I scorers.
State of Play
  • Gonzaga boasts a #3 KenPom ranking for overall metrics, highlighting a dominant defense and efficient offense.
  • Southern Utah is fielding a revamped team and faces Gonzaga after closely contested games, including 14 lead changes against Omaha.
What's Next

After the matchup with Southern Utah, Gonzaga will prepare for a Top-20 showdown against Alabama in Las Vegas, further testing their roster depth and experience in high-stakes scenarios.

Bottom Line

Gonzaga's strong defensive metrics and seasoned roster give them a significant edge over Southern Utah, but fans should watch for Southern Utah's improvements as they seek to capitalize on their transfer-heavy lineup.