Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs have never been afraid to challenge themselves during the non-conference portion of the schedule, which is what made the Players Era Festival so appealing last season. That, and the $1M NIL payout to every participating team. This year, that payout will still be in effect, but nearly everything else about the fledgling event will look different. Entering its third year, Players Era has now expanded to 24 teams and will divide the event up into two distinct bracketed tournaments - the Players Era 8, featuring eight teams and running the week of Nov. 16, and Players Era 16, featuring the remaining 16 teams and running during 'Feast week' Nov. 23-27. Gonzaga will be part of the 16-team bracket, giving them three guaranteed games and potentially a fourth if they advance to the championship game. The Zags defeated Alabama and Maryland before losing to Michigan in the championship game in 2025, and could face all three of those teams again in 2026.…