Kentucky
What Gonzaga’s Graham Ike said after dominating Kentucky
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.
That, and getting to face off against a familiar opponent he had dominated the past two meetings probably helped too.
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.
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
“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.”
MORE GONZAGA NEWS & ANALYSIS
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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Fourth of July festivities to celebrate in Louisville
See the Fourth of July festivities planned in Louisville for America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Fourth of July is almost here, and Kentuckians are getting ready to light up the sky.
Before you plan your fireworks celebrations, it’s important to know what is and isn’t allowed under Kentucky law. Here’s what to know about fireworks laws and safety tips in the Bluegrass State ahead of Independence Day.
Can you set off fireworks in Kentucky?
Yes. As long as you live in a place where local ordinances don’t prohibit it, according to the Kentucky State Fire Marshal’s website.
Are fireworks legal in Louisville?
In Louisville or Jefferson County, larger display fireworks are not legal due to a local law. Some consumer products that don’t leave the ground, such as sparklers, are allowed.
If the cautionary label on the firework has the words “explosive,” “emits flaming pellets,” “flaming balls,” “firecracker,” “report” or “rocket,” it is automatically a no-go, according to the Louisville-Jefferson County Code of Ordinances.
But, smaller ones like sparklers, cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners are legal. Still, don’t let the size fool you − they can burn up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Learn more: Check out these 4th of July events taking place across Kentucky
How to use fireworks safely
The state fire marshal suggests following the following advice when using fireworks:
- Use fireworks outdoors.
- Obey local laws.
- Keep a bucket of water or a working water hose nearby.
- Use fireworks as intended and avoid altering them or combining them.
- Never relight “dud” fireworks. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
- Spectators should keep a safe distance from the person lighting the firework (the individual lighting it should wear safety glasses).
- Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Have a “designated adult operator.”
- Do not use homemade fireworks or illegal explosives.
- Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Read and follow all instructions on the label.
Former Courier Journal reporter Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez contributed. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.
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