MBB to Hold Key Meeting in San Diego This Week

Gonzaga Bulldogs Visit San Diego for Tuesday Night Showdown

The Gonzaga Bulldogs head to San Diego Tuesday evening for a West Coast Conference matchup against the Toreros. The game tips off at 6:30 p.m. PT inside the Jenny Craig Pavilion, where Gonzaga aims to extend its dominant winning streak against San Diego.

Gonzaga enters the contest riding high after dismantling Pepperdine 96-56 in their conference opener. The Bulldogs showcased balanced scoring with Tyon Grant-Foster leading with 18 points and four blocked shots, while Braeden Smith and Davis Fogle each added 15 points. Graham Ike contributed a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, marking his eighth double-double of the season.

The Bulldogs boast a historically lopsided record over San Diego, having won 19 consecutive matchups since the Toreros’ last victory in 2014. Gonzaga has excelled in conference openers, winning 30 straight since 1996, with head coach Mark Few undefeated in 27 WCC openers. Few recently achieved a milestone of 750 career wins, reaching this mark in just 903 games—the second-fastest in NCAA Division I history.

Key Player Highlights

Graham Ike solidified his place among Gonzaga legends by surpassing 1,000 career rebounds, joining only two other West Coast Conference players to accomplish the feat. Ike stands out nationally, ranked second among active NCAA Division I scorers with 2,176 points and second in rebounds with 1,005. He is currently the only active Division I player combining 2,000 points with 1,000 rebounds. His consistent double-double performances have propelled the Bulldogs’ balanced offense.

Braden Huff ranks second nationally in made field goals with 117 and boasts an impressive 66.9% shooting percentage, including 71.3% inside the arc. Braeden Smith leads the conference and stands seventh nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio at 4.79, underscoring Gonzaga’s efficient offensive execution.

Team Performance Metrics

Gonzaga maintains a top-10 ranking nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiency according to KenPom analytics. The team leads the West Coast Conference in multiple statistical categories:

1. Scoring margin: +25.9 points (6th in NCAA)
2. Scoring offense: 92.6 points per game (13th in NCAA)
3. Rebounds per game: 43.3 (9th NCAA)
4. Assist-to-turnover ratio: 1.98 (4th NCAA)
5. Field goal percentage: 52.2% (10th NCAA)
6. Defensive three-point percentage: 27.9% (21st NCAA)

Gonzaga excels particularly in points in the paint, averaging 47.9 per game, the highest nationwide. The Bulldogs have made 165 more two-point field goals than their opponents, highlighting dominance inside the arc.

San Diego Toreros’ Outlook

The Toreros opened WCC play with a 66-54 win over Pacific, anchored by Ty-Laur Johnson’s 22 points and five made three-pointers. Johnson leads the team with an average of 13.7 points and 3.5 assists per game. Juanse Gorosito and Toneari Lane contribute about 11 points per game each, while Vuk Boskovic leads the team in rebounds with four per contest. San Diego’s early defensive strategy yielded 21 forced turnovers against Pacific, converting those into 25 points.

Historical Series Context

This Tuesday marks the 105th meeting between Gonzaga and San Diego. The Bulldogs hold an 82-22 all-time advantage and have dominated the series under coach Few with a 53-4 record. Gonzaga has won 14 of its last 15 games on San Diego’s home court, including a recent 105-63 victory in January. The Bulldogs built an early secure lead in that game with a 22-0 run to finish the first half at 33-9 and never trailed thereafter.

Upcoming Schedule

Following its game in San Diego, Gonzaga will return home Friday to face newcomer Seattle University in the 50th all-time meeting between the programs. Seattle currently holds a 39-10 advantage in their historical rivalry, although the teams have not met since 1980.

Non-Conference and Ranked Opponents Success

The Bulldogs compiled an impressive 12-1 record during the non-conference portion of the schedule. Notably, Gonzaga won a program-record eight games against power conference opponents and tied for the most games played against such teams under Few. The team leads the nation with 11 double-digit wins in nonleague matchups. Top victories include four wins over ranked opponents, tying for second-most nationally.

Statistical Breakdown

Gonzaga’s offensive efficiency is reflected in key stats:

• Averaging 34.9 made field goals per game (national leader)
• Averaging 9.1 extra scoring chances per game (2nd nationally)
• Scoring 46.1 points each first half (5th nationally)
• Maintaining 19 scoring runs of 10 or more points (tied 2nd nationally)

These factors emphasize the team’s fast-paced style and ability to generate momentum.

The matchup in San Diego continues Gonzaga’s push to sustain dominance within the WCC. The Bulldogs aim to leverage their high-powered offense and disciplined defense against a resurgent Toreros squad. Fans can watch the contest on KHQ/ESPN+ starting at 6:30 p.m. PT.