Kentucky has long been considered the standard-bearer in college basketball, boasting the sport’s richest tradition. As the first major powerhouse, the Wildcats’ legacy of success is underscored by five coaches who have brought National Championships to Lexington.
In contrast, Gonzaga’s rise to prominence has been much more recent. The Spokane-based school didn’t make its first NCAA Tournament appearance until 1995. Dan Monson led the Bulldogs to their first Sweet 16 in 1999 before Mark Few took over, guiding the team to an impressive streak of nine consecutive Sweet 16 appearances.
These differences, along with geographic separation, help explain why Kentucky and Gonzaga have faced each other just three times prior to Saturday night’s clash in Seattle. Here’s a look at their previous meetings:
2002: Kentucky Prevails in Maui
In the Maui Invitational’s third-place game, Tubby Smith’s 15th-ranked Wildcats defeated Gonzaga 80-72. After a close first half, Kentucky’s big men—Jules Camara, Marquis Estill, and Chuck Hayes—took over, scoring 23 points combined in the second half to dismantle Mark Few’s zone defense. Keith Bogans led Kentucky with 18 points, while sophomore Chuck Hayes added 11 points and nine rebounds. Gonzaga’s Blake Stepp scored a game-high 24 points, including five three-pointers.
2022: Gonzaga Dominates
The first game of a six-game series between the programs, announced during a telethon for Eastern Kentucky flood relief, saw Gonzaga overpower Kentucky 88-72 in Spokane. While All-American centers Oscar Tshiebwe and Drew Timme both posted strong performances—Tshiebwe with 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Timme with 22 points and seven rebounds—the Bulldogs’ supporting cast proved too much for the Wildcats. Julian Strawther had 20 points and 14 rebounds, while Rasir Bolton added 24 points in Gonzaga’s commanding victory.
2023: Kentucky’s Historic Home Loss
The most recent matchup was a tough one for Kentucky, marking their third consecutive home loss at Rupp Arena for the first time in program history. Despite falling into an early deficit, the Wildcats rallied to tie the game late, thanks in part to Reed Sheppard’s 21 points. However, Gonzaga made clutch plays in the closing minutes, with Graham Ike dominating inside for a game-high 23 points. The Bulldogs sealed a 77-70 victory, continuing Kentucky’s struggles in tight games during John Calipari’s final season.
As the two programs prepare for their fourth meeting, Kentucky hopes to reclaim some of its storied dominance, while Gonzaga looks to solidify its position among college basketball’s elite.
