The Slipper Still Fits
A Gonzaga Basketball Blog - The #1 Source for Bulldogs Discussion and Opinion
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Davis Fogle, Gonzaga Have Fruitful First Week of College Basketball
Sophomore wing Davis Fogle launches his Pac-12 Player of the Year campaign with back‑to‑back 22‑point games, scoring 78‑72 over Purdue in Las Vegas and 109‑68 against New Mexico State in Spokane. Despite modest shooting in the first contest (6‑18 FG, 1‑5 3‑pt), he banks 9‑of‑10 free throws, adds five rebounds, two assists and two steals. A week later he shoots 8‑of‑13 from the field and 3‑of‑6 from deep while tallying six assists. His performances earn him Pac‑12 Offensive Player of the Week as Gonzaga climbs to No. 14 in the AP poll and prepares for a showdown with LSU on Nov. 14.
Bulldog Business: Gonzaga/New Mexico State Recap, Women’s Basketball Bounce Back
In Episode 6 of Bulldog Business, hosts Kyle Sweeney and Josh Gilchrist break down Gonzaga men’s basketball’s dominant 109‑68 victory over New Mexico State and preview the Bruins’ upcoming clash with LSU on Nov. 14. They also discuss the women’s team’s swift rebound, highlighting an 85‑58 win over UC Riverside that follows a 86‑75 home loss to Idaho. The recap offers key stats, player insights, and a look ahead for both squads, with full episodes available on YouTube and Spotify.
Bulldog Business: Gonzaga/New Mexico State Recap, Women’s Basketball’s Bounce Back
In Bulldog Business Episode 6, hosts Kyle Sweeney and Josh Gilchrist break down Gonzaga men’s basketball’s dominant 109‑68 victory over New Mexico State and look ahead to the Nov. 14 showdown with LSU in Spokane. They also highlight the women’s team rebound, snapping a Friday loss to Idaho with an 85‑58 win over UC Riverside at the Kennel. The episode offers game analysis and previews for both squads, with links to the full podcast on YouTube and Spotify.
UC Riverside at Gonzaga Open Thread
Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2:00 p.m. PT on Pac-12’s YouTube
Gonzaga Throttles New Mexico State in Home Opener, 109-68
Gonzaga dominates New Mexico State 109-68 in its home opener at the McCarthy Athletic Center. Despite missing interior stalwart Izan Almansa (leg injury) and 3‑point specialist Chauncey Wiggins (eligibility issues), the Bulldogs fire 22 points each from Davis Fogle and Isiah Harwell. Fogle leads with a team‑high 22 and 4 assists, while the frontcourt of Massamba Diop and Braden Huff adjusts to a small‑ball lineup. The Zags pull away after a 47-42 halftime edge, showcasing a crisp offensive scheme that impresses five‑star recruit Jalen Davis in the stands.
Gonzaga plays host to New Mexico State in home opener
Gonzaga hosts New Mexico State on Nov. 7 in a home‑opener, entering as 21.5‑point favorites after a 73‑66 win over Purdue. The Aggies (1‑0) lost senior guard Gabe Warren to a torn ACL in their season debut, forcing DJ Dudley to step up with 22 points. New Mexico State’s frontcourt lacks size, relying on 6‑8 forward Mark Lavrenov (17 points, 10 rebounds) and 6‑9 forward Leopold Levillain. Gonzaga will look to dominate the boards and push fast‑break points, leveraging its rebounding edge shown against Purdue. Key Zags players—including Braden Huff, Massamba Diop and Izan Almansa—are expected to lead the charge, while the five‑guard rotation will test the Aggies’ defense ahead of a marquee LSU game on Nov. 14.
Idaho at Gonzaga Open Thread
Friday, Nov. 6, at 6:00 p.m. PT on Pac-12’s YouTube
New Mexico State at Gonzaga Open Thread
Saturday, Nov. 7, at 2:00 p.m. PT on KHQ
The Kennel Has a Job to Do This Weekend With Four-Star Recruit Jalen Davis Visiting
Four-star guard Jalen Davis, a top‑10 recruit in the 2027 class, will visit Gonzaga on Nov. 7 for the Zags’ home opener against New Mexico State. Davis, a 6‑foot‑3 senior from Bremerton, Washington, ranks alongside schools like UNC, UCLA and Washington after official visits to each. He boasted a 31.5‑point season with 5.8 steals per game and earned Washington’s Gatorade Player of the Year, leading Bremerton High to back‑to‑back state titles. Gonzaga hopes the campus hype will sway him, adding to freshman Dooney Johnson as the program looks to build a new era in Spokane.
Bulldog Business: Gonzaga Beats Purdue in Season Opener; Reactions and Takeaways
In episode 5 of Bulldog Business, hosts Kyle Sweeney and Josh Gilchrist break down Gonzaga’s 81‑73 season‑opening win over Purdue in Las Vegas. They highlight Davis Fogle’s and Xaivian Lee’s hot shooting, praise Izan Almansa’s dominance inside, and weigh the key takeaways and lingering concerns for the Bulldogs heading into the season.
Braden Huff Listed on Naismith Trophy Preseason Watchlist
Gonzaga’s redshirt senior power forward Braden Huff makes the Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year preseason watchlist, joining 49 other candidates. Huff, who posted a 17.8‑point average and 66.2% shooting last season before a knee injury, tallied 10 points and seven rebounds in Gonzaga’s 78‑72 win over Purdue at the Naismith Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas on Nov. 2. The men’s watchlist will be trimmed to 30 players on Feb. 11, 2027. Gonzaga has yet to produce a Naismith winner.
Gonzaga’s Overall Depth Too Much for Giant Daniel Jacobsen, Purdue in 78-72 Win
Gonzaga defeats Purdue 78-72 in the Hall of Fame Series at Las Vegas’ T‑Mobile Arena, showcasing the Bulldogs' depth despite a roster of ten newcomers. Senior guard Daniel Jacobsen leads Purdue with 22 points, but Gonzaga’s backcourt duo—fifth‑year point guard Xaivian Lee and sophomore wing Davis Fogle—combine for 40 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, seizing control in the paint (28 points) and limiting Purdue’s rebounding (31‑34). Freshman Massamba Diop’s early foul trouble hampers Purdue’s interior game, while Gonzaga’s defensive switches and pick‑and‑rolls disrupt the Boilermakers’ comeback. The win marks Gonzaga’s season opener (1‑0, No. 15) and highlights Coach Mark Few’s rapid team cohesion.
Join us for the 2026-27 Gonzaga basketball season on the SB Nation app
The Gonzaga Bulldogs fell 76-72 to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Oct. 24, 2026 at Bud Walton Arena, a highlight featured in The Slipper Still Fits post. The article promotes the new SB Nation app, now available for iOS and Android in North America, with upcoming global rollout. Key features include real‑time game chat, faster comment loading, notification alerts, and a unified feed that blends community posts with site articles—helping fans follow every crossover, alley‑oop, and block live. The blog notes record‑breaking single‑day commenting since launch and invites college basketball enthusiasts to download the app for an enhanced game‑day experience.
North Dakota State at Gonzaga Open Thread
Monday, Nov. 2, at 6:00 p.m. PT on SWX
Gonzaga vs. Purdue Open Thread (T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada)
Monday, Nov. 2, at 4:30 p.m. PT on TNT/True TV/HBO Max
Izan Almansa is eligible – and fits the Zags like a glove
Gonzaga forward Izan Almansa, a 21‑year‑old former pro from Spain, finally clears eligibility and debuts in the Bulldogs’ preseason. After stints with G League Ignite, Perth Wildcats and Real Madrid, Almansa logged 14 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes against Arkansas, then added 12 efficient points versus Lewis‑Clark State. At 6‑10, 220 lb, he stretches the floor, defends the paint, and can sub for Massamba Diop when foul trouble arises. The Spaniard, 2023 U19 World Cup MVP, shows NBA‑ready versatility and could earn a regular bench or starting role as Mark Few fine‑tunes his lineups before the season opener on Nov. 2.
Another Chet Holmgren Setback Adds to Oklahoma City’s Growing Inactive List
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren suffers another setback, missing 8‑10 weeks after a biological treatment for a small patellar tendon tear, just three games into the 2026‑27 season. The 24‑year‑old, who missed his entire rookie year with a Lisfranc injury and later a pelvis fracture, also gained two pounds over the summer. Holmgren joins a growing Thunder injury list that now includes guard Jalen Williams (fractured left fibula/dislocated ankle) and forward Cason Wallace (torn left shoulder labrum). The string of absences comes as the Thunder try to build on Holmgren’s recent 2025 title and 2026 All‑Star selection.
Massamba Diop Named to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watchlist
Gonzaga sophomore center Massamba Diop (7‑1, 35) makes the 2027 Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar Center of the Year preseason watchlist. The Senegal native posted 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game as a true freshman, ranking 29th nationally in blocks. Diop’s versatile defense and pick‑and‑roll offense complement Gonzaga’s frontcourt, which also includes Julius Erving Award candidate Davis Fogle and Karl Malone Award nominee Braden Huff. The announcement came on Oct. 30, 2026, ahead of the upcoming college season.
Both Gonzaga Basketball Programs Predicted to Win Pac-12
In the Pac-12’s first season after its redesign, both Gonzaga basketball programs are projected to clinch the conference’s automatic NCAA Tournament bids for 2027. The men’s team, coached by Mark Few, tops the media poll with all 17 first‑place votes, ahead of Utah State, and will face them in a sold‑out game on Jan. 21, 2027. Sophomore wing Davis Fogle and redshirt senior forward Braden Huff make the preseason impact list. The women’s team, led by Lisa Fortier, receives 16 of 19 first‑place votes, with junior guard Allie Turner and redshirt sophomore forward Lauren Whittaker named impact players. FanDuel odds list Gonzaga men at +3000 for the national title, while the women sit at +25,000.
Braden Huff Named to Karl Malone Award Watchlist
Redshirt senior power forward Braden Huff has been named to the Karl Malone Award preseason watchlist, joining Gonzaga’s growing list of award candidates. Huff returns fully healthy after a left‑knee injury, having averaged 17.8 points on 66.2% shooting (sixth‑best in the nation) and 5.6 rebounds in 2025‑26. The 6‑10 senior will lead Gonzaga’s 2026‑27 offense and aims to stay injury‑free. Gonzaga also boasts sophomore wing Davis Fogle on the Julius Erving Award watchlist, with center Massamba Diop expected on the Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar list, highlighting the program’s national prominence.
Lisa Fortier, Lauren Whittaker: Stacking up Preseason Honors
Gonzaga women’s basketball heads into 2026-27 with coach Lisa Fortier on the Kathy Delaney‑Smith Mid‑Major Coach of the Year preseason watch list and a .788 career winning percentage. Redshirt sophomore forward Lauren Whittaker earns spots on the Katrina McClain Power Forward and Naismith Trophy watch lists, while junior guard Allie Turner returns after a 14.8‑point season that helped the Bulldogs win the 2026 West Coast Conference Tournament. The duo aims for the program’s first Pac‑12 title under Fortier’s guidance.
Game Preview: No. 15 Gonzaga Opens 2026-27 Season Against Purdue in Las Vegas
No. 15 Gonzaga kicks off its Pac‑12 era on Oct. 29 at T‑Mobile Arena, facing Purdue in the TNT Sports Hall of Fame Series (tip‑off 4:30 p.m. PT). Purdue, now outside the AP Top 25 for the first time in 80 weeks, returns without several key scorers from last season, while Gonzaga hopes to avoid its 5‑0 losing streak to the Boilermakers—four games have ended Gonzaga’s Sweet 16 runs. The matchup pits former Purdue star Zach Edey (now with Memphis) against Gonzaga’s Drew Timme, offering a chance for both programs to snap recent trends and earn a marquee win.
Gonzaga’s Final Exhibition Ends in 91-59 Rout Over Lewis-Clark State
Gonzaga wraps its preseason exhibition schedule with a 91-59 win over NAIA Lewis‑Clark State, raising $ for Spokane wildfire relief. Five Zags scored in double figures, with Parker Jefferson earning MVP honors (12 points, 6 rebounds) and Izan Almansa adding 12 points on near‑perfect shooting. Coach Mark Few highlighted the community impact and noted the return of sophomore wing Davis Fogle to the starting lineup after a leg injury. The game also showcased depth in the frontcourt, featuring redshirt senior Braden Huff, sophomore center Massamba Diop, and bench contributions from Jefferson. The win offers a morale boost ahead of Gonzaga’s first regular‑season test.
State of Zags in the NBA: Graham Ike Starts for Golden State Warriors
Rookie Gonzaga alum Graham Ike earns his first NBA start for the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 23, scoring 10 points in 12 minutes against Memphis and logging a 12‑point, 10‑rebound double‑double the next night versus Phoenix. Undrafted and signed to an Exhibit‑10 deal in June, Ike’s early minutes shine amid a rebuilding Warriors roster. The piece also notes fellow Zags Jalen Suggs’ 14‑point outing for Orlando before a knee bone bruise sidelines him for two weeks, and highlights Andrew Nembhard’s solid start with Indiana. Connections between Gonzaga’s Mark Few and Warriors’ Steve Kerr hint at more opportunities for Ike this season.
Lauren Whittaker Named to Becky Hammon Award Watchlist
Gonzaga forward Lauren Whittaker (33) makes the 2027 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year preseason watch list, joining 24 other top mid‑major talent. The New Zealand native, a redshirt sophomore who rebounded a meniscus tear in 2024‑25, set Gonzaga’s single‑season rebound record with 348 and earned WCC Player of the Year in 2025‑26. After a 24‑point, game‑high performance in an 84‑43 exhibition win over Division II Westmont, Whittaker aims to replicate her double‑double dominance as Gonzaga moves into the revamped Pac‑12. The Zags open the season at home versus North Dakota State on Nov. 2, 2026.
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