#1/1 Gonzaga (0-0, 0-0 WCC) vs. Dixie State (0-0)
TUESDAY, NOV. 9 | 6 P.M. | McCARTHEY ATHLETIC CENTER | SPOKANE
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THE TIP OFF
- Gonzaga opens the 2021-22 regular season against Dixie State inside the McCarthey Athletic Center Tuesday. It is the second all-time meeting between the programs, after the Zags won last season's matchup 112-67.
- The Zags have won 16 straight regular season-openers dating back to a loss to Saint Joseph's in 2003.
- The Zags are No. 1 in the Associated Press preseason poll entering the season. Its 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 season-opening exhibitions the Zags cruised to 115-62 and 112-62 victories over Eastern Oregon and Lewis-Clark State. In the victory over LCSC, Drew Timme led all scorers with 25 points and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds in 18 minutes. GU made 53.9 percent from the field, while holding the Warriors to 34.3 percent. The Bulldogs were 21-of-26 from the free-throw line. Julian Strawther added 13 points for GU, while Hunter Sallis had 11. Chet Holmgren scored 12 points, pulled down seven rebounds and blocked three shots.
- In 2016-17, GU opened its season with a 122-76 victory over West Georgia. The Zags' 122 points were the most points scored by Gonzaga in any game since a 123-72 exhibition victory over Northwest Sports in 2003.
- 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 22nd straight NCAA Tournament, and sixth consecutive Sweet 16.
- Gonzaga won 33 games last season, including 16-0 in West Coast Conference play. It was the third straight 30-win season, fourth in the last five seasons and fifth in the last seven seasons.
- The Zags own the country's longest home win streak with 51 consecutive victories inside the McCarthey Athletic Center, breaking the previous program record of 50.
- Drew Timme was the lone unanimous selection to the 2021-22 Preseason Associated Press All-American Team.
 
SCOUTING THE TRAILBLAZERS:
- Dixie State was voted to finish 12th by both the coaches and the media in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll. No Trailblazer player was voted to either the coaches or media preseason first or second teams.
- In 2020-21, Dixie State wrapped up its first year of NCAA Division I play with an 8-13 overall record, which included a 4-10 mark in WAC play. The Trailblazers posted six wins against D-I opponents in its debut season, which included a 3-0 start overall. In addition, DSU was the only program in the WAC that did not have to go through an extended COVID-19 pandemic shutdown, and was the only team in the conference to play their full slate of league games.
- Four starters return for Dixie State, and all four were the Trailblazers' leading scorers.
- Cameron Gooden averaged a team-high 13.1 points and 3.2 assists per game. Hunter Schofield added 12.7 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds per outing. Frank Staine chipped in 9.9 points per game.
- Six other letterwinners are back for DSU, along with six newcomers, including Boise State transfer Chase Berry.
 
SEASON-OPENING SUCCESS:
- The Zags have won 16 straight regular season-openers dating back to a 73-66 loss to Saint Joseph's in the 2003 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in New York City.
- In last year's season-opener, No. 1 Gonzaga beat No. 6 Kansas in the Fort Myers Tipoff in Florida, 102-90.
- GU has won 31 consecutive regular season home-openers since a 73-65 loss to Boise State on Dec. 7, 1988.
- Gonzaga has won all 16 regular season home-openers in the McCarthey Athletic Center.
- The Bulldogs have won all 21 regular season home-openers under Mark Few.
 
ON THIS DAY IN ZAG HISTORY:
- Gonzaga is 3-0 on Nov. 9 since joining Div. 1 in 1958-59.
- The Zags opened the 2012 and 2013 regular seasons on Nov. 9, beating Southern Utah, 103-65, in 2012, and Bryant, 100-76, in 2013.
- In 2019, GU eased past Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Spokane, 110-60. In their second collegiate games, Drew Timme had 11 points and Anton Watson scored seven points.
 
MILESTONE WATCH
- Andrew Nembhard is one game shy of his 100th collegiate appearance.
- Andrew Nembhard is one made three away from 100 in his collegiate career.
- Nembhard is 29 rebounds from 300 in his career.
- Nembhard is 71 points from 1,000 in his career.
- Drew Timme is 69 points from 1,000 in his career.
- Anton Watson is seven points from 300 in his career.