Gonzaga Bulldogs Face Off Against Baylor Bears in Highly Anticipated College Basketball Season Opener

The 2024-25 men’s college basketball season kicks off with a highly anticipated matchup between the No. 6 Gonzaga Bulldogs and the No. 8 Baylor Bears on Monday, November 4. This top-10 showdown is set to take place at the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington, marking a significant early-season test for both teams.

Gonzaga, led by Coach Mark Few, enters the season with a strong returning core. The Bulldogs bring back six of their top seven scorers and 10 players overall from last season’s 27-8 squad. Key returnees include senior guards Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman, as well as frontcourt players Ben Gregg and Graham Ike. Nembhard and Ike have been named to notable preseason watch lists, including the Naismith Trophy and the Bob Cousy and Karl Malone Awards, respectively. Michael Ajayi, who led the West Coast Conference in scoring last season, is also a contender for the Julius Erving Award.

Baylor, under Coach Scott Drew, faces a different scenario with significant roster changes. The Bears lost four of their five starters from last season’s 24-11 team but have bolstered their roster with talented transfers and freshmen. Notable additions include former Duke guard Jeremy Roach, Miami forward Norchad Omier, and five-star freshman VJ Edgecombe, who is a projected top-five pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Roach and Omier bring Final Four experience and were voted to the preseason All-Big 12 second team.

The game is a rematch of the 2021 national championship game, which Baylor won 86-70. Gonzaga is favored by 5.5 points in the betting markets, largely due to their home-court advantage and the return of a majority of their core players. However, Baylor’s new roster and the coaching of Scott Drew make them a formidable opponent, and the game is expected to be closely contested.

The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN2, with tip-off scheduled for 8:30 p.m. PT (11:30 p.m. ET). This game marks the fifth time Gonzaga has opened the regular season against a ranked opponent under Coach Mark Few, and the Bulldogs are seeking their 19th consecutive season-opening win.