No. 21 Gonzaga braces for 'big challenge' from Oklahoma

Gonzaga coach Mark Few offered a brief analysis of Oklahoma, which makes the trip to Spokane, Wash., on Saturday night to face his 21st-ranked Bulldogs.

"It's going to be a big challenge," he said.

It will be the first of many challenges in the nonconference schedule for Gonzaga, which judging from Monday night's season-opening 98-43 rout of Texas Southern, appears capable of handling them.

The Zags' bench rolled up 48 points with Arizona State transfer Adam Miller scoring 13 and freshman Davis Fogle kicking in 11. Starters Tyon Grant-Foster (15) and Braden Huff (14) scored in double figures and Graham Ike delivered a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Grant-Foster's effort was notable for many reasons. He won eligibility via a preliminary injunction from a Spokane County judge on Oct. 27, then flashed the form that allowed him to average 20.1 points per game two years ago at Grand Canyon.

"I just played for my teammates and they found me," Grant-Foster said. "I took what they gave me. I relied on my teammates."

Ike, who averaged 17.3 points last season and is on this season's Naismith Trophy watch list, couldn't help but marvel at what the reserves did to take control of the season opener.

"They gave us a huge lift," he said. "We got off slow. Kudos to everybody for sticking with the game plan. The bench brought that energy and effort all night. Guys were flying around, diving on the floor. It was awesome to see that."

The Bulldogs owned a 56-27 rebounding advantage, including 19 offensive boards. They scored 17 points off offensive caroms in the first half.

It doesn't figure to come as easy against Oklahoma, which started its season Monday night with a 102-66 blowout of St. Francis (Pa.). The Sooners outscored the Red Flash 57-22 after halftime, getting 18 points from redshirt freshman forward Kuol Atak.

Oklahoma coach Porter Moser could have his best team there in his fifth season at the school. By mixing the transfer portal with the likes of Atak and center/forward Kai Rogers, Moser appears to have the depth, experience and fresh legs to be competitive every night in the Southeastern Conference.

There's also center Mo Wague, one of just two players who returned from last season's team. Wague made strides late in the season and looked ready to continue his progression from role player into key contributor with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double on Monday night.

"There's not a lot of guys that you say you feed off the center's energy," Moser said. "It's just not something you naturally say over years. And our guys feed off of Mo's energy."

Miami transfer Nijel Pack enjoyed a successful debut for the Sooners with 16 points, three assists and no turnovers. Oklahoma also got a good game from Saint Joseph's transfer Xzayvier Brown, who had 16 points and six assists.

The last time these schools met, Gonzaga posted an 87-71 victory in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Zags went on to lose to Baylor in the national championship game that season.

--Field Level Media