SEATTLE — Stadium's Jeff Goodman reported Sunday morning that Gonzaga will play a high-level opponent in Seattle next season at Climate Pledge Arena on Dec. 4. Wednesday, CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported that that high-level opponent will be Alabama.
Goodman is also reporting that this will be an annual event for Gonzaga, essentially bringing back the Battle in Seattle event.
The Zags used to play a game every season in the Battle in Seattle event before they failed to schedule an opponent for the 2016-2017 season. The event was played 13 years straight before the 2016 season and has not returned since. It was a fan favorite, especially for fans who can't see games in The Kennel.
Some of Gonzaga's most iconic moments occurred at the Battle in Seattle, including Adam Morrison's bank shot three game-winner over Oklahoma State.
This will be a preseason top 10 matchup as the Zags are widely regarded as the #1 team in the country going into next season and Alabama is in nearly every preseason top 10. In CBS Sports' Top 25 and 1, Gonzaga is #1 and Alabama is #5. The Crimson Tide earned a #2 seed in March Madness this past season.
Rothstein is also reporting that the Zags will play a return game in Birmingham for the 2022-2023 season.
