Gonzaga will head into its toughest early-season challenge on Friday night as the Bulldogs travel to Tempe to face Arizona State at Desert Financial Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM PT, marking the Zags’ first true road contest and the only away game on their non-conference slate.
The Bulldogs enter the matchup at 3–0, while the Sun Devils sit at 2–0 after opening their season with comfortable wins over Southern Utah and Utah Tech. The game also brings an interesting storyline, as Gonzaga guard Adam Miller returns to the arena where he played for two seasons under head coach Bobby Hurley before transferring for his final year of eligibility.
Arizona State, with a largely rebuilt roster, has shown impressive outside shooting and strong guard play in their early outings. Their biggest threat so far has been Moe Odum—an experienced guard who previously starred at Pacific and Pepperdine and is now leading the Sun Devils’ offense.
As Gonzaga looks to remain unbeaten, here are the key areas that will determine the outcome of Friday’s matchup.
Gonzaga Must Limit Arizona State’s Perimeter Threat
Arizona State’s offense has relied heavily on three-point shooting, connecting on 38.3% of their attempts (18-for-47) through their first two games. While those wins came against teams ranked outside the top 250 in KenPom, the accuracy itself demands close attention.
Odum and Ford Lead ASU’s Shooting Threat
Two players in particular have been reliable from deep:
- Moe Odum: 5-for-11 (45.5%)
- Bryce Ford: 5-for-10 (50%)
Gonzaga will need disciplined closeouts and consistent defensive rotation to prevent Arizona State from gaining early momentum from long range.
Containing Moe Odum Will Be Crucial
Odum’s impact extends beyond his perimeter shooting. During his three years in the WCC, he developed into one of the most efficient playmakers in college basketball, finishing last season at Pepperdine averaging 7.5 assists per game, the fourth-best mark in the nation.
He has already become Arizona State’s offensive engine—scoring, facilitating, and controlling tempo.
Gonzaga Has Dealt With Odum Before
Odum nearly led Pepperdine to an upset over Gonzaga last season with 24 points and eight assists, repeatedly exploiting gaps in the defense. Gonzaga eventually slowed him by assigning Emmanuel Innocenti to him late in the game, and that matchup could be featured heavily on Friday.
Expect Gonzaga’s versatile guards—Innocenti and Jalen Warley—to share primary defensive responsibilities on Odum throughout the night.
Gonzaga Should Control the Boards
Rebounding is one of Arizona State’s biggest weaknesses. Despite their size and length, the Sun Devils were outrebounded 40–39 by Southern Utah and allowed 16 offensive rebounds in that game. They improved slightly against Utah Tech, but still surrendered too many second-chance opportunities.
Gonzaga, on the other hand, looks like one of the strongest rebounding teams in the country.
Key Frontcourt Matchups
Arizona State will rely heavily on 7’1” freshman Massamba Diop, who has shown promise in his early outings. But this game will test whether he can match the physicality of Gonzaga’s interior presence, notably:
- Graham Ike
- Braden Huff
If Gonzaga dominates the glass, the Zags will control pace and limit ASU’s chances to generate offense from the perimeter.
The Zags Need Their Outside Shooting to Improve
While Gonzaga has excelled in most areas this season, three-point shooting has been inconsistent. The Bulldogs are hitting just 31% from deep, including a 9-for-27 performance against Creighton earlier this week.
Six of those makes came from frontcourt duo Graham Ike and Mario Saint-Supery, underscoring the struggles of the backcourt and wings.
Can Miller Rediscover His Shot in a Familiar Arena?
Arizona State has held opponents to 22.2% from beyond the arc, though those numbers come against weaker opponents. Gonzaga will hope for a turnaround from key shooters:
- Adam Miller, who was scoreless from deep vs. Creighton
- Tyon Grant-Foster, who went 1-for-6 from three
- Steele Venters, still searching for rhythm
If the Bulldogs can find balance from outside, they will be difficult for ASU to keep up with.
Managing the Road Atmosphere
Gonzaga teams in past seasons have occasionally struggled in their first true road game, particularly younger players adjusting to hostile environments. However, this year’s rotation is among the most experienced in the Few era.
Experienced Leadership Should Help
Only one freshman—Mario Saint-Supery—is playing significant minutes, and he arrives with professional experience from Europe. Guard Braeden Smith, who starred at Colgate, will also need to navigate a louder environment than he typically faced in the Patriot League.
Veteran leaders including Ike, Miller, Grant-Foster, Venters, Warley, and Huff will be relied upon to steady the team when the crowd ramps up.
Conclusion
Friday’s matchup offers a valuable early-season test for Gonzaga as they head into a difficult environment against an Arizona State squad with strong guard play and dangerous outside shooting. The Zags’ ability to defend the perimeter, maintain rebounding dominance, and find scoring consistency from long range will shape the outcome.
If Gonzaga executes in those areas, they’ll be well positioned to remain unbeaten heading into the weekend.
