Gonzaga’s Frontcourt Dominates Again as No. 7 Zags Roll Past Campbell
If there’s one thing Gonzaga has made abundantly clear this season, it’s that their frontcourt is a problem - and not the kind opposing coaches can solve with a simple halftime adjustment. In a 98-70 rout over Campbell at the McCarthey Athletic Center, it was once again the Braden Huff and Graham Ike show, with the duo putting on a clinic in interior dominance.
Huff’s Career Night: Efficient, Relentless, Unstoppable
Braden Huff didn’t just get hot - he stayed hot. The sophomore forward came out firing and simply didn’t miss in the first half, going a perfect 12-for-12 from the field en route to 26 points before the break. Less than a minute into the second half, he added another bucket to set a new career high, surpassing the 26-point mark he hit against San Diego back in January 2024.
Though he finally missed a shot early in the second half - his first and only misfire of the night until late - Huff still finished with a dazzling 37 points on 16-of-18 shooting. That kind of efficiency is rare at any level, and it puts him in elite company within the Gonzaga program. Only Ben Gregg, who went 10-for-10 in a 24-point outing against Portland, has posted a perfect shooting night of that volume during the Mark Few era.
Huff continues to lead the Zags in scoring, now averaging 19 points per game. He’s hit double figures in all 12 games this season - a model of consistency for a team that’s steadily finding its identity.
Ike Adds Balance - and Vision
While Huff was lighting up the scoreboard, Graham Ike was doing a little bit of everything. The 6-foot-9 forward matched his career high with five assists in the first half alone, showing off his improved passing game and ability to facilitate from the post. He added 14 points and 11 rebounds to notch yet another double-double, despite being limited to just five minutes in the second half due to foul trouble.
Even in limited action, Ike’s impact was felt. His ability to draw attention inside continues to open up the floor for Gonzaga’s perimeter players, and his court vision is becoming a legitimate asset in Mark Few’s offense.
Turnovers Still a Concern Despite Lopsided Win
For all the positives, Gonzaga’s ball security left something to be desired. The Bulldogs committed a season-high 15 turnovers - a number that will raise eyebrows as the competition ramps up. The previous high came in a 77-65 win over Arizona State, where they turned it over 14 times.
Ike was responsible for four of those giveaways, while Jalen Warley, Mario Saint-Supery, and Tyon Grant-Foster each chipped in two. Still, Gonzaga managed to flip the script by forcing 20 Campbell turnovers, turning them into a 32-14 edge in points off miscues. That kind of opportunistic defense helped mask the sloppiness, but it’s an area the Zags will need to clean up before conference play.
Butka, Smith Provide Bright Spots for Campbell
Campbell may have been outmatched, but forward Dovydas Butka showed he’s made strides since last season. The Lithuanian sophomore had a rough go in two games against Gonzaga while at Pepperdine, but he looked far more comfortable this time around, finishing with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting. He’s now scored in double figures in all 11 games this season - a sign of steady growth and confidence.
Point guard DJ Smith had a more uneven night. The fifth-year senior struggled early, going just 1-for-5 in the first half while facing a rotating cast of Gonzaga defenders, including Emmanuel Innocenti, Mario Saint-Supery, and Braeden Smith. But Smith found a rhythm midway through the second half, knocking down a pair of threes and two free throws in a quick burst that trimmed Gonzaga’s lead to 72-62 with just under 10 minutes to play.
He ultimately finished with 18 points on 4-of-14 shooting - not quite his season average of 19.5, but a respectable showing given the defensive attention he faced.
The Bigger Picture
This was another reminder of just how dangerous Gonzaga’s frontcourt can be when Huff and Ike are clicking. Huff’s offensive explosion was the headline, but Ike’s all-around game continues to give the Bulldogs a reliable two-way presence inside. The turnover issues are real, and they’ll need to be addressed, but the Zags are showing they can dominate even when they’re not at their cleanest.
With conference play around the corner, Gonzaga looks like a team that’s rounding into form - and doing it behind two of the most efficient and physical big men in the country.