Mark Few Reflects on Gonzaga’s Statement Win Over Alabama
Gonzaga picked up its most impressive victory of the season with a 95-85 triumph over No. 8 Alabama, marking a statement win for the Bulldogs (6-0). While Gonzaga’s strong start to the 2025-26 season had already included impressive wins, including a series of power conference opponents, Monday’s victory at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas stood out.
The Bulldogs faced Alabama’s physicality early, but Gonzaga weathered the storm thanks to a dominant performance from Graham Ike, who scored 10 consecutive points in the first half, helping the team absorb Alabama’s offensive flurry, especially from Labaron Philon Jr.
Despite shooting struggles (9-of-32 from three) and a cold stretch late in the game, Gonzaga’s rebounding edge proved critical. They dominated the boards with a 48-36 advantage, adding 25 second-chance points off 20 offensive rebounds. Philon kept Alabama in the game with a 29-point performance through 30 minutes, but after that, he struggled, and the Crimson Tide couldn’t maintain their momentum. A late 17-3 run by Gonzaga put the game out of reach, with Ike and Tyon Grant-Foster leading the charge. Ike finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Grant-Foster had a season-high 21 points, including key dunks in the final minutes.
With the win, Gonzaga earned its first victory over a top-10 team since last year’s opener against Baylor. They were set to face Maryland next, with a chance to reach the championship game.
Here’s what head coach Mark Few had to say after the win:
On Tyon Grant-Foster’s impact:
“Tyon’s already making a huge difference for us. He’s got this incredible ability to make plays out of nowhere—whether it’s a block, a steal, or just playing heads-up defense. His basketball IQ, especially on defense, is special. Offensively, his shot selection is sometimes a bit off, but his heart, will, and fight make up for that. He made some huge plays in the first half that were just tough, winning plays.”
On comparing this team to past squads:
“I feel really good because there’s still plenty of room to grow. There are things we need to clean up, but that gives us a higher ceiling. Our ’17 team was pretty well-rounded by this point, and the ’21 team was firing on all cylinders early. But this group has already been tested with a tough schedule, and they’ve found ways to win, which is encouraging.”
On stopping Labaron Philon in the final minutes:
“We made some defensive adjustments, switching coverages multiple times to keep them off balance. We executed those changes well, even when guys were playing out of position. That’s crucial, especially in March, when we want to be able to switch coverages seamlessly. Our guys did a great job sticking to the plan, which was huge in closing out this game.”
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