The addition of Gonzaga, based in Spokane, Wash., completes the four-team field for the 72nd annual event to be played at the Ford Center on Dec. 20. Game times have not been set, but both games will be broadcast by one of the ESPN networks.
The OU-Gonzaga game will follow the battle of brothers, pitting Oklahoma State and coach Sean Sutton against Oral Roberts, coached by Scott Sutton.
"We are extremely excited with this field,” Brassfield said. "To once again bring four quality programs into Oklahoma City to be a part of this tremendous sports tradition is a gift for all basketball fans.”
Gonzaga has provided some All-College excitement before. On Dec. 28, 2004, the Zags held off Oklahoma State 78-75. The Cowboys rallied from 16 down but lost when a final-second 3-pointer by John Lucas didn't fall.
This will be the first-ever meeting between OU and Gonzaga, which was 23-11 and won the West Coast Conference title a year ago.
The Sooners were 16-15 in coach Jeff Capel's first season. Gonzaga joins Southern Cal, West Virginia and Arkansas on what looks to be a difficult non-conference slate for the Sooners.
"This is another very challenging game on our schedule,” Capel said. "In terms of wins and NCAA Tournament appearances, Gonzaga has been as good as any other college basketball program the past several years. We're looking forward to this game.”
OU's entire schedule will be announced later this month.
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