#1/1 Gonzaga (1-0, 0-0 WCC) vs. #5/5 Texas (1-0) (0-0 BIG 12)
SATURDAY, NOV. 13 | 7:30 P.M. | McCARTHEY ATHLETIC CENTER | SPOKANE
TELEVISION: ESPN2
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS
 
THE TIP OFF
- Gonzaga hosts No. 5/5 Texas in the first-ever Top-5 clash in the McCarthey Athletic Center Satuday. It is the fourth all-time meeting between the programs, with the Zags winning all three previous matchups.
- The Zags are No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll entering the season. It's the second-ever No. 1 preseason ranking in program history, but also the second straight season GU achieved the honor.
- For the first time in program history, Gonzaga was ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Coaches' preseason poll.
- In their regular season opener, GU eased past Dixie State, 97-63. Julian Strawther had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Chet Holmgren had 14 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and seven blocks. Rasir Bolton added 15 points and Drew Timme chipped in 11. DSU was limited to 35 percent shooting from the field.
- The Zags have won 18 straight regular season-openers dating back to a loss to Saint Joseph's in 2003.
- Per ESPN Stats and Info, Holmgren was the first player over the last 25 seasons with 10 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five blocked shots in his Div. 1 debut.
- Drew Timme was the lone unanimous selection to the 2021-22 Preseason Associated Press All-American Team.
- Chet Holmgren, Andrew Nembhard and Drew Timme were all named to the preseason Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award Player of the Year preseason watch lists.
- Last season, the Zags advanced to the national championship game following a 31-0 start to the season. Gonzaga won the league regular season title for a national-best ninth straight season. The Bulldogs became the first team in NCAA Div. 1 history to reach 30 wins in five straight seasons.
- Gonzaga returns two starters and nine letterwinners from last season's squad that claimed the Zags' ninth consecutive West Coast Conference regular season title.
- In 2020-21, the Bulldogs advanced to their 21st straight NCAA Tournament, and sixth consecutive Sweet 16.
- Gonzaga won 31 games last season, including 15-0 in West Coast Conference play. It was the fifth straight 30-win season, seventh in the last eight seasons and eighth in the last 10 seasons.
- The Zags own the country's longest home win streak with 52 consecutive victories inside the McCarthey Athletic Center, breaking the previous program record of 50 set from 2003 to 2007.
 
SCOUTING THE LONGHORNS
- After beating Texas Lutheran 96-33 in an exhibition, Texas eased to a 92-48 regular season-opening victory over Houston Baptist Tuesday.
- Six Longhorns finished in double digits in the win over Houston Baptist paced by Courtney Ramey's 14 points.
- Texas made 64 percent from the field and had 21 assists on its 32 made shots. HBU was limited to 32 percent shooting and committed 17 turnovers.
- The Longhorns' No. 5 start is the highest preseason AP poll ranking since the 2009-10 season when they were No. 3.
- Marcus Carr was selected as the Big 12 Preseason Newcomer of the Year and tabbed to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team. The Minnesota transfer is one of 20 preseason watch list candidates for the Bob Cousy Award. He is also one of 20 preseason watch list candidates for the NABC Division I Player of the Year and one of 50 preseason watch list candidates for both the Wooden Award and the Naismith Trophy.
- Andrew Jones and Tre Mitchell each were named Preseason
Honorable Mention All-Big 12.
 
ON THIS DAY IN ZAG HISTORY
- Gonzaga is 1-0 on Nov. 13 since joining Div. 1 in 1958-59.
- The Zags beat Idaho in the second game of the 2007 season, 80-43. GU held the Vandals to 13 points in the second half. Austin Daye led the Bulldogs with 18 points.
 
MILESTONE WATCH
- Andrew Nembhard sits at 100 collegiate appearances.
- Nembhard is at 100 made three-pointers in his collegiate career.
- Nembhard is 26 rebounds from 300 in his career.
- Nembhard is 66 points from 1,000 in his career.
- Drew Timme is 58 points from 1,000 in his career.
- Anton Watson is two points from 300 in his career.
 
BIG STAGE IN THE KENNEL
- Gonzaga's game against Texas is the highest-ranked matchup hosted by GU in program history.
- The highest-ranked foe to play Gonzaga at home was No. 6 Washington State in 2007, with the Cougars prevailing 51-48.
- GU beat No. 8 Washington, 97-77, inside the McCarthey Athletic Center in 2006.
- The only other Top-10 ranked team to play the Zags at Gonzaga was No. 7 DePaul in 1981. DePaul left Spokane with a 69-56.
- The last AP-ranked team to play at GU was 25th-ranked Creighton in 2017. It was also the last ranked matchup inside the Kennel with the Bulldogs beating Creighton, 91-74.
 
A DEBUT LIKE NONE OTHER
- Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and seven blocks in his debut.
- According to ESPN Stats and Info, Holmgren is the first player over the last 25 seasons with 10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 blocked shots in his D-1 debut.
- His seven blocks matched the most in a single game in program history under Mark Few. Przemek Karnowski blocked seven shots against Saint Mary's in 2014.