Gonzaga opens home season against New Mexico State

The Bulldogs and Aggies are both 1-0 heading into their Saturday matchup, scheduled for 2 p.m. Pacific time at Gonzaga’s McCarthey Athletic Center. It is Gonzaga’s first home game of the season and its first there as a member of the new-look Pac-12. The teams last met in 2013, when Gonzaga won 80-68; the Bulldogs are 1-0 in the series.

Gonzaga finished last season 31-4 and unbeaten in 14 home games. New Mexico State was 16-16 overall, including a 3-8 road record, and allowed 72 points per game. The Aggies opened this season with a win, as did Gonzaga.

The game could give several Gonzaga newcomers their first regular-season minutes. Six players have yet to appear in a college regular-season game, including four freshmen; none played in the Purdue matchup, when coach Mark Few used an eight-player rotation. Parker Jefferson, who had 12 points and six rebounds in an exhibition, is among those who could see the court.

Gonzaga will also look for Massamba Diop to avoid the foul trouble that has limited his playing time, while point guard Nathan de Sousa gets another chance to build on his more measured performance against Purdue. The game is scheduled to air locally on KHQ and stream on ESPN Unlimited.