Gonzaga's Kraziness in the Kennel 2023: Live updates, recap, highlights

Live updates on Gonzaga's annual preseason event

Gonzaga men's basketball fans got a first look at the 2023-24 squad during the annual Kraziness in the Kennel event on Saturday. Following player introductions, the Bulldogs treated a sold-out McCarthey Athletic Center to a 3-point contest, skills competition and intrasquad scrimmage to unofficially tip off the new college basketball season.

Redshirt freshman Braden Huff led the way in the Blue vs. White scrimmage, finishing with 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting, but it was Luka Krajnovic (11 points, 4-for-5 shooting) and team White that came out with a 52-38 win.

The event was broadcast locally on SWX with a live stream viewing on ESPN+ for fans outside the Spokane region.

Gonzaga Nation reporters and photographers were courtside throughout the festivities to bring you live updates, photos, video highlights, game recaps and much more. 

Here is the live updates recap:

Skills contest: Luka Krajnovic

After both successfully weaved through the cones and connected a pass through a hula hoop, Croatian guard Luka Krajnovic edged out Creighton transfer Ryan Nembhard on his second free-throw attempt.

Freshman Dusty Stromer defeated fifth-year senior Anton Watson to advance to the final round.

Krajnovic and Stromer battled to the end before Krajnovic came out victorious on his second free-throw attempt, claiming his title as the skills contest champion.

Luke Krajnovic beats Dusty Stromer in an all-freshman final of the skills challenge. pic.twitter.com/7QYS2MXtmP

— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) October 7, 2023

3-point contest: Nolan Hickman

Steele Venters and Nolan Hickman tied at 11 apiece in the first round, but it was Hickman who survived with an 11-8 win in the shootout.

Meanwhile, Braden Huff went 13-for-20 to knock out Ben Gregg to advance to the final round.

In the finale, Huff knocked down his final attempt to force a shootout tied at 12 apiece. Hickman caught fire in the shootout, going 14-for-20 including a clean sweep of the right-elbow rack. Huff couldn't keep up after an 0-for-4 start as he ended with 8 made triples.

Nolan Hickman had to go through four rounds (100 total shots) to win the 3-point contest after tying Steele Venters in the opening round and then matching Braden Huff in the final. pic.twitter.com/KF6HNwe0lZ

— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) October 7, 2023

Blue vs. White scrimmage: White wins 52-38

Blue: Ryan Nembhard, Steele Venters, Dusty Stromer, Pavle Stosic, Braden Huff, Joe Few

White: Luka Krajnovic , Nolan Hickman, Jun Seok Yeo, Anton Watson, Ben Gregg, Colby Brooks

1st timeout: "Blue" leads "White" 7-5 at the first timeout with 15:52 left on the clock. Krajnovic leads all scorers with five points on 2-for-2 shooting from the field.

2nd timeout: A 7-2 run gives White a 23-18 lead with 11:57 to go. Both teams are a combined 15-for-30 from the floor, including 4-for-11 from deep. 

3rd timeout: Huff's 17 points leads all scorers as White holds a 36-28 lead with 7:24 remaining. Watson paces Blue with 10 points.

4th timeout: White has a 43-35 lead with 3:17 remaining following a driving layup from Nembhard.

The dudes 😆😆😆 pic.twitter.com/abIsg0kVZs

— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) October 7, 2023

Gonzaga's Graham Ike sits out of Kraziness in the Kennel due to leg injury