LSU’s men’s basketball program has scheduled a demanding non‑conference slate that includes a showdown with Gonzaga and a future meeting with Houston, a strategy designed to toughen the team before it enters SEC competition.
The first test arrives on November 14, when the Tigers travel to Spokane Arena to face the Bulldogs, a program that has not missed the NCAA tournament since 1998, adding a historic challenge to the schedule.
A second high‑profile matchup is set for 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, where the Cougars finished as the national runners‑up the previous year, promising another marquee test for LSU.
During the Thanksgiving holiday, LSU will take part in the Acrisure Series, a multi‑team event that also features schools such as USC, South Carolina, Arizona State, Utah State, Grand Canyon, Saint Louis, Stanford and Colorado, providing a compact but intense series of games.
Learning Opportunities on the Horizon
One of the series’ highlights could be a clash with Arizona State, a game that would allow LSU to see former forward Marcus Vaughns and former associate head coach David Patrick in action, adding a personal dimension to the on‑court battle.
The roster LSU brings to these contests includes four international players and RJ Luis Jr., who has inked NBA contracts but has yet to appear in an NBA game, underscoring the team’s blend of experience and unproven talent.
Coach Will Wade and his staff view each of these matchups as a chance to foster chemistry, give the newcomers a crash course in American college basketball, and evaluate how the diverse skill set can translate into SEC success.