Gonzaga's Kraziness in the Kennel 2023: Luka Krajnovic shines in methodical intrasquad scrimmage
Gonzaga men's basketball is back. The 2023-24 college basketball season unofficially tipped off on Saturday with the annual Kraziness in the Kennel event, where fans were treated to a 3-point contest, skills competition and intrasquad scrimmage from the Bulldogs.
Following player introductions, Gonzaga head coach Mark Few addressed the sold-out McCarthey Athletic Center crowd ahead of the afternoon festivities.
"It's an incredible, awesome, awesome fall day and we packed this house here like it's a February game against Saint Mary's," Few said. "That's what makes this place the most incredible place to call home as a basketball program and I can't thank everyone enough in this program."
In the skills contest, Croatian guard Luka Krajnovic beat out Creighton transfer Ryan Nembhard at the free-throw line, as the freshman nailed his second attempt before Nembhard could get his off.
Nolan Hickman battled through two shootout scenarios to take home the 3-point contest championship. The junior defeated Steele Venters in the first-round shootout before narrowly defeating Braden Huff in the finale. Huff forced a shootout on his last attempt to tie the score at 12. Hickman responded with a 14-for-20 showing in the ensuing shootout.
Huff paced all scorers in the White vs. Navy scrimmage, finishing with 19 points in a 52-38 win for team White.
Here are three takeaways from Gonzaga's annual Kraziness in the Kennel.