Gonzaga forward Graham stewed on everything that transpired during the Bulldogs’ 40-point loss to Michigan in the Players Era Festival for over a week.
The 6-foot-9 forward and preseason All-American candidate looked anything but one of the best players in the country against the Wolverines. Ike scored just one point — his lowest point total since his first collegiate game as a freshman — and failed to make a single shot from the field for just the third time in his five-year college career, epitomizing the kind of night Gonzaga had to endure on its way to the program’s worst margin of defeat in the Mark Few era.
The ensuing nine days leading up to Friday’s showdown against Kentucky from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena was business as usual, according to Ike, though wanting to right all the wrongs from the previous outing would’ve been natural for him and the Zags.
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That, and getting to face off against a familiar opponent he had dominated the past two meetings probably helped too.
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The Wildcats wound up being the punching bag Ike and the Bulldogs needed to take their frustrations out on, as Gonzaga pulled off its second-largest win over an Associated Press Top 25 team in a 94-59 final from Bridgestone Arena on Friday.
Ike matched his Gonzaga career high with 28 points while grabbing 10 rebounds, nearly duplicating his 28-point, 11-rebound performance from last season’s overtime thriller against Kentucky in Seattle. This time around, though, the Zags held onto their double-digit halftime lead instead of giving it up in crunch time, handing the Wildcats their second-largest defeat as a ranked team in program history.
Friday also marked Kentucky’s third loss to Gonzaga since November 2022. Ike had a hand in the Zags’ impressive 89-85 win over the Wildcats at Rupp Arena in 2024 (23 points, 10-of-17 shooting) and followed up nine months later with 28 points and 11 rebounds in a narrow loss from Climate Pledge Arena.
With Friday’s game in the books, Ike averages 26.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 59.2% shooting from the field in three career games against Kentucky.
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Here’s what Ike had to say after the game.
On the nine days in between the Michigan game and Friday
“Standard nine days. But definitely just wanted to dial in on our response. It was a great opportunity to see what we’re made of, and we responded well. Proud of the guys for doing so tonight.”
On taming the pro-Kentucky crowd early on
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“I thought it was huge, keeping the crowd out of it. Credit to the guys — everybody stepped in and played great defense. I remember holding them to two points for a while and after they hit their first 3, that’s kind of when the crowd erupted. It just let me know how many people were here tonight so, I thought we did a great job controlling the crowd.”
On dominating Kentucky in paint points
“It’s really just our brand and style of basketball. Just forcing the ball inside, high-low, post duck-ins — just trying to get other guys open and sometimes, I got myself open. I appreciate you guys for giving me the ball. [Braeden] Smith had a great game tonight. Him and Mario [Saint-Supéry]. Six assists for B Smith — I just appreciate all my teammates.”
The No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats (5-3) face the No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs (7-1) at Bridgestone Arena on Friday, December 5, 2025. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
How to watch Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Gonzaga vs. Kentucky odds
Odds provided by BetMGM.
Stats to know
Gonzaga’s +190 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 23.8 points per game) is a result of scoring 90.8 points per game (19th in college basketball) while allowing 67.0 per outing (62nd in college basketball).
Gonzaga connects on 7.4 three-pointers per game (230th in college basketball) compared to its opponents’ 7.1. It shoots 32.2% from deep while its opponents hit 27.9% from long range.
Kentucky’s +184 scoring differential (outscoring opponents by 23.0 points per game) is a result of putting up 86.6 points per game (55th in college basketball) while giving up 63.6 per outing (16th in college basketball).
Kentucky hits 9.0 three-pointers per game (104th in college basketball) at a 33.6% rate (192nd in college basketball), compared to the 7.6 per game its opponents make, at a 27.9% rate.
This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
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Photo: Patrick Smith, Andy Lyons, Steph Chambers, Jamie Squire / Getty Images
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced a $750,000 funding initiative to support Covington, Kentucky, businesses affected by two major bridge construction projects, aiming to alleviate disruptions for local commuters and enterprises.
Kentucky Wildcats coach Will Stein had his introductory press conference for the first time since being announced as the team’s coach earlier this week. Stein is the former offensive coordinator for the Oregon Ducks and delivered his first message to Wildcats fans. Stein also talked about his relationship with Oregon coach Dan Lanning:
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“Dan, he’s been phenomenal. I mean, talk about just an amazing person, human, supporter, innovative. He’s taught me so much. He’s been 100 percent in support of this. It’s been really cool to see. He’s going to be somebody I’ll lean on while I’m here,” Stein said about Lanning.
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“He’s leaned on his mentors throughout his process. He will be the first one to tell you he’s growth mindset oriented. He is always going to try to look to get better. I am going to use Dan as long as I live, as long as he wants to answer my calls because he means that much to me. It’s cool he’s done that,” continued Stein.
Will Stein: “I Didn’t Come Here To Be Average”
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New Kentucky Wildcat head coach Will Stein makes remarks as he is introduced at Kentucky on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Oregon Ducks will be in need of a new offensive coordinator after Will Stein announced that he would be taking the vacant Kentucky coaching job. This will be the first head coaching job for Stein, who played his collegiate career with the Louisville Cardinals from 2008 through 2012.
“The vision is really simple. It’s to win. I didn’t come here to be average. I didn’t come here to be mediocre. I came here to win, and to win championships” Stein said in his press conference. “I’ve won at every singe level that I’ve been at; high school, college, and now the goal is to win here.”
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Oregon inside linebackers coach Will Stein leads practice as the Oregon Ducks hit the practice field ahead of Michigan State Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Kentucky fired longtime coach Mark Stoops folowing the Wildcats 5-7 2025 season. Kentucky has not made a bowl game since 2023. Stoops was at Kentucky since 2013. Despite the program having a losing record in back to back seasons, Stein expects to start winning right now.
“Not win five years, 10 years down the road, to do it now. The way that you do that is you work,” Stein said. “Success is not free. Rent is due every damn that we’re here. And we’re going to work to get that done to make Big Blue Nation proud and make our players proud and do it the right way.”
MORE: Internal and External Candidates Who Could Replace Oregon’s Will Stein
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MORE: What Bo Nix’s Comments Reveal About Marcus Mariota’s Reputation
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MORE: Impact Of Oregon Ducks Losing Offensive Coordinator Will Stein To Kentucky
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Stein To Stay With Oregon Though College Football Playoff
Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein jokes on the sidelines during the Spring Game at Autzen Stadium. | Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
With the news that Stein would be taking the Kentucky job, Oregon fans immediately wanted to know if he would be staying with the team through their playoff run. The Ducks are currently ranked No. 5 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings and look primed to host a first round game.
Oregon coach Dan Lanning stated that Stein along with defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi, who took the vacant California Golden Bears coaching job, would be with the team for the playoff.
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“Certainly the plan is for those guys to be able to go help us go through and chase what we want to finish this season,” Lanning said in a press conference.
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Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) hands the ball off to running back Jordon Davison (0) during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Stein also talked about the situation at Oregon while he was at his Kentucky conference.
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“There’s a team back in Eugene, Oregon that is also counting on me to call ball plays,” Stein said. “I owe it to those players – to finish what I’ve started. Those guys are working their butt off to create a game plan against whoever we end up playing in that first round.”
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This is a huge boost for the Oregon offense led by quarterback Dante Moore, who will still have his offensive coordinator on his side as they try to bring home the program’s first ever national championship
