LSU’s men’s basketball team is set to open a historic chapter when it travels to Spokane, Washington, on November 14 to face Gonzaga for the first time in school history.
The Bulldogs have been ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 for 16 consecutive seasons and finished last year with a 31‑4 record, underscoring the magnitude of the matchup.
A New Era of Scheduling
Beyond that single game, the Tigers will head to Palm Springs, California, for a four‑team tournament running from November 21 through 26, where they will meet two of three opponents: SMU, Arizona State and USC.
The Palm Springs Classic offers a compact but demanding schedule, giving Will Wade’s squad a chance to test its chemistry early in his return to Baton Rouge.
Wade, who is back at the helm of LSU after a stint away, describes the upcoming slate as a crucial nonconference gauge, one that will help shape the team’s identity before conference play begins.
Fans in Louisiana and the broader college basketball community are eager to see how the Tigers respond to these high‑profile tests, especially as the program looks to rebuild under Wade’s guidance.
The decision to schedule Gonzaga and participate in the Palm Springs Classic reflects a broader trend among mid‑major programs to seek marquee nonconference opponents, a strategy that can boost résumé building and recruiting.
While the Tigers will only play two of the three Classic opponents, the exposure to varied styles of play — from the disciplined Bulldogs to the perimeter‑heavy Sun Devils — could prove invaluable.
As the season unfolds, each early test will be dissected for clues about LSU’s depth, defensive schemes, and the effectiveness of Wade’s recruiting class, all of which will be tracked closely by analysts and The Advocate’s sports desk.