LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Wildcats will embark on a six-year series against the Gonzaga Bulldogs this year, UK Athletics said on Thursday.
What You Need To Know
- The Kentucky men's basketball team is entering into a six-year series against Gonzaga
- After facing off this year at Spokane Arena on Nov. 20, the Cats will host the Zags at Rupp Arena in 2023
- The teams will face off at Rupp Arena twice, several neutral sites, ending at the Kennel in 2027
Head Coach John Calipari broke the news in a series of posts on Twitter. After facing off this year at Spokane Arena on Nov. 20, the Cats will host the Zags at Rupp Arena in 2023.
“I am so excited that we have finalized this series," Calipari said. “Mark is a great friend and what he has done at Gonzaga to build them into one of the premier programs in our sport is incredible.
“This is something Coach Calipari and I have been working on for some time,” Gonzaga head coach Mark Few said. “It’s an exciting thing for both programs, both schools, both fan bases, and all of college basketball. Instead of a two-year thing, this gives everyone something to put on their calendar and look forward to over the next six seasons.”
The teams enter the 2022 matchup having only met once before on the hardwood. Kentucky captured an 80-72 victory in 2002 at the Maui Invitational.
Kentucky will also host the matchup in 2026, with neutral-site showdowns in the two years between. The teams will play in Seattle in 2024 and Nashville in 2025, UK Athletics said.
Capping off the series will be 2027's showdown in the 6,000-seat McCarthey Athletic Center, better known as "The Kennel."
Each showdown between the blue-blood powerhouses will surely draw a lot of attention. Kentucky tips off its 2022-23 season on Friday, Oct. 14 with Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena.