Gonzaga faces an early test against John Calipari’s loaded Arkansas roster

After a roller coaster of an offseason, Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs will take the court on Saturday for the first of two exhibition games leading into the official start of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Zags are heading to Fayetteville, AR, to take on John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks, a battle between two top 15 programs and two Hall of Fame coaches.

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The game will tip at 1:00 PM PT and is available to stream on SECN+, giving fans an opportunity to take in a new look at the Gonzaga roster featuring just two returning rotation players from last year in Braden Huff and Davis Fogle.

The two coaches already discussed how they are approaching this game with each other, which could help each team improve in key areas before the season begins on Nov. 2.

Arkansas, like Gonzaga, has a very new-look roster, although in typical coach Cal fashion, they are very young and very talented.

Below is a scouting report on Arkansas’ new-look roster and how they line up against coach Few’s Gonzaga squad:

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5 Arkansas starters who could challenge Gonzaga

Feb 14, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wing Billy Richmond III (24) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Bud Walton Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

C: Senior Cooper Bowser (Furman transfer)

Bowser comes to Arkansas after three seasons at Furman in the Southern Conference. As a junior last year, the 6’11 big man averaged 13.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks while shooting an absurd 77% on two pointers in 25 games played.

He’ll be a fun first matchup for Gonzaga’s new-look frontcourt featuring Huff and Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop.

PF: Freshman Miika Muurinen

Muurinen is one of the most intriguing newcomers in all of college basketball. A 7’0 stretch four who spent last year with KK Partizan in Serbia, Muurinen oozes upside but has yet to put it all together.

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Publish date : 2026-10-24 00:30:00

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