Gonzaga to face Tennessee in 2018 Jerry Colangelo Classic

The Gonzaga Bulldogs will play the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2018 Jerry Colangelo Classic, Jon Rothstein reported on Friday. Nevada and Grand Canyon will play in the second part of the double-header.

This is another huge game for a non-conference slate that is already looking rather nice. Tennessee, like Gonzaga, is landing in too-early top 25s across the board. Tennessee lost last year in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to the magic of Loyola Chicago.

Personally, ever since Nevada landed Jordan Brown, and with the prospect of one or two of the Martins brothers coming back, the idea of getting a series started with a new found foe in the west seemed too good to be true. Alas, for next year, it is. Gonzaga will just have to be in the same building as Nevada.

Mark Few is scheduling HARD for next season, most likely knowing that the 2018-19 year represents another stellar shot at a Final Four or bust mentality. On top of Tennessee, Gonzaga will play Washington at home, North Carolina and Creighton on the road, and takes part in the most loaded Maui Invitatonals in the history of Maui Invitationals: potentially facing the likes of Arizona, Auburn, Duke, Illinois, Iowa State, San Diego State, or Xavier.