Gonzaga set to Battle Two Heavyweight Programs in Players Era Festival

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Gonzaga set to Battle Two Heavyweight Programs in Players Era Festival originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Gonzaga's 2025–26 season is set to begin with two heavyweight matchups, as the Bulldogs will face Alabama and Maryland in the opening games of the inaugural Players Era Festival. These early contests offer a major opportunity for Gonzaga to prove itself on a national stage and get a real-time measure of how its retooled roster stacks up against elite-level competition.
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The opener against Alabama on Monday, November 24, at 9:30 PM ET, 6:30 PM PT promises to be a high-octane battle. Under head coach Nate Oats, the Crimson Tide have emerged as one of the most consistently dangerous teams in college basketball. Known for their up-tempo offense and aggressive shot selection, Alabama presents a unique challenge for any opponent. Oats has built a culture of toughness and pace in Tuscaloosa, turning Alabama into a regular in the national conversation and a threat in the SEC and beyond.
Gonzaga will follow that up with a showdown against Maryland the next night, Tuesday, November 25, at the same tipoff time. The Terps are now led by longtime head coach Buzz Williams. Though new to the sideline in College Park, Williams brings a wealth of experience and a gritty, hard-nosed style that has delivered success at multiple Power Five stops. With Maryland looking to reestablish itself as a force in the Big Ten and beyond, this early test will be a tone-setter for both programs.
For Gonzaga, these games will be especially significant as the team introduces its new-look backcourt. Braeden Smith, a transfer who brings leadership and poise after a redshirt year with Gonzaga, pairs with promising young guard Mario Saint-Supery, recently signed from Spain, to form the Zags' latest backcourt tandem. Both will need to be at their best against the kind of length, athleticism, and defensive pressure that Alabama and Maryland typically bring to the table. The ability of Smith and Saint-Supery to handle the ball, control tempo, and make plays in tight moments will be critical to Gonzaga's chances of opening the season with a pair of wins.
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The Bulldogs will also lean heavily on the frontcourt pairing of Braden Huff and Graham Ike, who return as one of the most skilled and productive interior duos in the country. Their combined ability to score inside, stretch the floor, and rebound effectively should create matchup issues for both Alabama and Maryland. If Huff and Ike can impose their will in the paint and dominate the glass, it could tilt the balance in Gonzaga's favor.
These two early contests are more than just showcase games. They serve as an immediate barometer of where Gonzaga stands in its quest to return to the top tier of college basketball. With two powerhouse programs on deck, the Zags won't have time to ease into the season. The Players Era Festival will demand sharp execution, composure, and chemistry, and the performances of Gonzaga's backcourt and frontcourt leaders will likely determine how this early spotlight shines.
Related: Spanish Point Guard Mario Saint-Supery Commits to Gonzaga
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.