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The Gonzaga Bulldogs will face the Auburn Tigers as the guaranteed opponent in a small four-team tournament while in Orlando, Jon Rothstein reported on Friday.
Sources: Gonzaga is expected to play Auburn and Houston is expected to face Texas Tech in the first round of a four-team tournament in Orlando during the first week of the season.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 9, 2020
The Zags were scheduled to play Texas Tech in Phoenix, however, that game has been moved to the 2021-22 season. That might not matter, if both teams win, we can see a rematch of the 2019 Elite Eight game.
With the Orlando Invitational looking a bit in flux, and Gonzaga already committed to being in Orlando by Dec. 2 for the Jimmy V Classic against Tennessee, there is a good chance that whatever comes from this will be the baseline to replace Gonzaga’s originally scheduled MTE.
As the non-conference slate slowly comes together, Gonzaga currently has guaranteed games now against Auburn, Houston/Texas Tech, Tennessee, Baylor, and Iowa. Presumably, with all the teams that will be in Orlando, it isn’t far fetched to expect Gonzaga to hammer our a couple more opponents while down there.
With the college basketball season starting on Nov. 25, the Zags could possibly be in Orlando for eight or nine days. If the game against Auburn happens on Nov. 25, and the game against Houston/Texas Tech on the 27th, that still leaves the Zags four full days off until their scheduled game against Tennessee.