Gonzaga basketball defeats Arizona State 77-65 with Graham Ike scoring 20 points. The No. 19 Bulldogs improve to 4-0 behind Coach Mark Few’s defensive excellence and explosive offense in a hard-fought road game.
Gonzaga Basketball Earns Impressive Road Victory Against Arizona State
Coach Mark Few’s Gonzaga Bulldogs showcased their championship pedigree Friday night in Tempe, Arizona, defeating the Sun Devils 77-65 in a hard-fought battle. The No. 19-ranked Bulldogs improved to an undefeated 4-0 record, while Arizona State fell to 2-1 in what proved to be a much more competitive matchup than Gonzaga’s previous three dominant wins.
Graham Ike led the way for the Bulldogs with 20 points and nine rebounds, proving once again why he’s considered one of the nation’s most reliable scorers in college basketball. The senior forward’s ability to take over late in games demonstrated the veteran leadership that Coach Few relies on during critical moments. This wasn’t just another convincing blowout for the Bulldogs—this was a true road test against a Big 12 opponent, and Gonzaga basketball passed with flying colors.
Graham Ike: The Anchor of Gonzaga Basketball’s Offense
When Coach Few needed buckets down the stretch, Graham Ike answered the call. The Gonzaga basketball star finished with an impressive 12-of-15 performance from the free-throw line, including taking technical free throws for the Bulldogs in the second half. This wasn’t flashy basketball, but it was exactly what Gonzaga basketball needed to secure the victory.
Ike’s consistency throughout the season has already established him as the centerpiece of this year’s Gonzaga basketball team. Averaging 17.3 points per game, he’s proven he can carry the load when teammates face foul trouble. With Braden Huff fouling out with just over five minutes remaining, Ike shouldered the responsibility and never wavered. This is the kind of performance you expect from an All-American candidate.
The Bulldogs got off to a shaky start in Arizona, unable to get their high-octane offense flowing early. Coach Few called a timeout, settling his team down and reminding them to trust their system. Once Gonzaga basketball found its rhythm mid-first half, it was only a matter of time before the Bulldogs took control.
Gonzaga Basketball’s Defense Stifles Arizona State’s Offense
One of the most impressive aspects of Gonzaga basketball’s performance came on the defensive end. The Bulldogs forced Arizona State to miss 10 of 11 shots during a crucial stretch, demonstrating the lockdown defense that Coach Few has built into the fabric of this program.
The Sun Devils, led by interim head coach Bobby Hurley, tried to press and disrupt Gonzaga basketball’s rhythm in the second half. Arizona State’s aggressive full-court pressure forced the Bulldogs into 14 turnovers for the night, and the Sun Devils actually outscored Gonzaga in points off turnovers. However, Gonzaga basketball’s defense was suffocating enough to keep Arizona State at bay.
When Arizona State made their push early in the second half, cutting Gonzaga’s lead to just five points at one stage, it appeared the Sun Devils might be preparing for a dramatic upset. But Gonzaga basketball’s resilience shined through. With Arizona State struggling to generate consistent offense, Adam Miller—the former Sun Devil transferred to Gonzaga basketball—drained consecutive three-pointers with just 5½ minutes remaining, pushing the lead to 67-52. Those back-to-back makes essentially sealed the game for the Bulldogs.
Mark Few’s Gonzaga Basketball Dynasty Continues Unabated
Coach Mark Few has built one of college basketball’s most impressive dynasties. This victory over Arizona State further exemplifies why Few ranks among the nation’s elite coaches. With 742 wins over 26 seasons and an 83% winning percentage, Few has established Gonzaga basketball as a perennial powerhouse despite playing in the mid-major West Coast Conference.
The Bulldogs’ undefeated start to the 2025-26 season comes after significant roster turnover. Several key players graduated or entered the NBA draft following last season, but Gonzaga basketball has seamlessly integrated new talent alongside returning stars. This road victory in Arizona proved that Coach Few’s system transcends individual players.
Few has now led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in 25 consecutive seasons. This streak, dating back to 1999, is remarkable in modern college basketball. The Bulldogs were recently ranked No. 21 in preseason polls and selected as the West Coast Conference preseason favorite. Only seven of nine major preseason polls left Gonzaga basketball off their top 25, highlighting the respect coaches nationwide have for this program.
Tyon Grant-Foster Provides Bench Spark for Gonzaga Basketball
While Graham Ike grabbed headlines, Tyon Grant-Foster deserves significant credit for the victory. The 6-foot-7 wing came off the bench and finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds—exactly the kind of versatile performance that makes Gonzaga basketball so difficult to defend.
Grant-Foster bounced back impressively after an off night against Creighton on Tuesday. He was instrumental in helping the Bulldogs build their first-half lead, providing energy and athleticism that Arizona State couldn’t match. This is what separates championship-caliber programs from the rest—having reliable options off the bench who can impact the game on both ends of the floor.
Braden Huff added 11 points for Gonzaga basketball before fouling out late in the contest. The combination of Ike and Huff in the frontcourt presents matchup nightmares for opponents. Together, these two big men averaged 28.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game last season, and they’re on pace to exceed those numbers this year.
Arizona State Basketball Seeks Improvement Under Bobby Hurley
For Arizona State basketball, the loss to Gonzaga represents a missed opportunity against a top-20 program. Coach Bobby Hurley enters a critical season for his tenure with the Sun Devils. Arizona State basketball was projected to finish last among 16 Big 12 teams in the preseason poll, making every victory important.
Bobby Hurley, a legendary figure in college basketball as a former Duke star and multiple-time NCAA champion, received a technical foul during Friday night’s game, showing the intensity he brings to coaching. Arizona State basketball has added eight incoming transfers, led by Marcus Adams Jr. and Moe Odum, hoping to turn around a program that finished just 13-20 last season.
Moe Odum led Arizona State basketball with 12 points in the loss to Gonzaga. The Sun Devils have limited margin for error if they want to reverse their trajectory. This Gonzaga basketball squad simply proved too much on both ends of the floor.
What’s Next for Gonzaga Basketball?
Gonzaga basketball has little time to celebrate. Southern Utah visits Spokane just three days after the Arizona State victory. Coach Few and his team will need to maintain their focus and momentum as they prepare for increasingly tough competition.
The Bulldogs’ schedule only gets more formidable. A showdown with No. 8 Alabama awaits in Las Vegas on November 24, followed by a matchup against Maryland. Later in December, Gonzaga basketball faces No. 9 Kentucky and No. 15 UCLA—a schedule designed to test this program’s championship mettle.
This road victory against Arizona State basketball serves as a strong statement about Gonzaga basketball’s legitimacy despite the roster changes. The Bulldogs have every ingredient necessary to make another tournament run: elite coaching in Mark Few, a dominant scorer in Graham Ike, strong role players, and a defensive system that suffocates opponents.
The Outlook for College Basketball’s Elite Programs
Gonzaga basketball remains one of the most consistently excellent programs in all of college basketball. While other programs experience cycles of success and rebuilding, the Bulldogs have maintained a level of excellence that rivals any program in America.
The Bulldogs shot just 6-for-21 from three-point range and turned the basketball over 14 times—definitely not Gonzaga basketball’s standard. Yet they still won convincingly on the road against a Big 12 opponent. Imagine how dominant this team could become once it fine-tunes its offensive efficiency and ball security.
Coach Few’s system emphasizes ball movement, spacing, and unselfish play. While Gonzaga basketball’s three-point shooting needs improvement (currently at 29.4% for the season), the foundation is solid. As shooters get more comfortable and the offense continues to gel, expect Gonzaga basketball to rank among college basketball’s elite offensive units.
Arizona State basketball will look to regroup quickly. With Gonzaga basketball having already stacked signature wins, the rest of college basketball takes notice. Mark Few’s Bulldogs have positioned themselves as one of the Final Four contenders before Thanksgiving.
Final Thoughts on Gonzaga’s Dominant Season Start
Gonzaga basketball’s victory over Arizona State proved several important points. First, the Bulldogs can win on the road against quality competition without playing their absolute best basketball. Second, Graham Ike is capable of taking over games when needed. Third, Coach Mark Few’s defensive principles remain as sound as ever.
The 2025-26 college basketball season is shaping up to feature several powerhouse programs, but Gonzaga basketball appears ready to compete for a national championship. This undefeated start against difficult competition suggests that championship aspirations aren’t merely wishful thinking.
Fans of college basketball should mark their calendars for Gonzaga’s upcoming games. The Bulldogs’ combination of fundamental excellence, veteran leadership, and star power makes them must-watch television throughout the season. Whether Gonzaga basketball can finally break through and win that elusive national championship remains the ultimate question, but this team certainly has the talent and coaching to accomplish it.
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