School basketball continues to load up on elite, must-see video games for its upcoming season.

The most recent late-offseason improve options two Closing 4 contenders — Gonzaga enjoying Iowa — in a sport to be performed on Dec. 19 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, sources instructed CBS Sports activities. The Sanford Pentagon (the identical web site internet hosting the event discipline previously labeled the 2020 Battle 4 Atlantis) will probably be witness to the fourth assembly ever between the Bulldogs and Hawkeyes. 

Gonzaga is ranked No. 1 in CBS Sports activities’ High 25 And 1 preseason rankings. The Hawkeyes are No. 5.

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The sport is a goodie, and never simply because Gonzaga could possibly be the most effective group in school basketball. This tilt would additionally will function the lock-of-locks preseason decide for nationwide participant of the yr, Iowa middle Luka Garza. The senior large man opted to return to varsity basketball after being a consensus First Group All-America/Massive Ten Participant of the Yr. He averaged 23.9 factors, 8.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a season in the past; Iowa was nicely on its solution to the 2020 NCAA Match, thanks largely to Garza’s play.

Garza will not be the one potential preseason All-American choice on this sport. Gonzaga guard Corey Kispert leads possibly probably the most well-rounded beginning 5 within the sport. The Zags are loaded but once more and have championship aspirations. 

Gonzaga was capable of fill this opening on its slate as a result of, simply because it did with securing Baylor for a Dec. 5 sport in Indianapolis, Iowa was each a fascinating, high-quality opponent and a group that was keen and eager to play the Zags on a impartial courtroom. The contracts for the sport haven’t but been signed, sources mentioned, however that’s anticipated to occur quickly. Each groups really need this sport. For Gonzaga, the sport will exchange a scheduled matchup on the identical date in Phoenix towards Texas Tech. For Iowa, the sport replaces its Dec. 22 scheduled matchup in Sioux Falls towards Oregon State. 

It stays to be seen if any followers will probably be allowed to attend. The Sanford Pentagon is a horny possibility partially as a result of Sanford Well being is a enterprise associate with the basketball amenities and the rapid-response testing is promised to be as sturdy as any neutral-site occasion school basketball can have this common season.  

The addition of Iowa means Gonzaga will now face a minimum of 4 prime 25-level groups. On prime of the Hawkeyes and Baylor, Gonzaga is scheduled to play in Jimmy V Traditional in Orlando on Dec. 2 towards Tennessee, and in addition the Orlando Invitational discipline in November, which is presently highlighted by Michigan State and Saint Louis. Iowa’s schedule is way much less clear at this level. In contrast to Gonzaga and its 16-game WCC convention schedule, the Hawkeyes are anticipated to play a 20-game Massive Ten slate, which is able to embody a house sport towards a high-profile ACC opponent within the ACC/Massive Ten Problem and the standard rivalry sport towards Iowa State.