Kentucky basketball is reeling from a disheartening loss to North Carolina in the ACC/SEC Challenge, marking their third straight defeat to a ranked opponent and seventh in the last eight such matchups. A 10-minute scoring drought doomed the Wildcats on their home floor, highlighting ongoing issues with cohesion and execution. Now, they head to Nashville for a neutral-site showdown with Gonzaga, a team eager to capitalize on Kentucky's vulnerabilities.
Last year's meeting in Seattle was a thriller: Gonzaga dominated the first half 50-34, but Kentucky stormed back to force overtime and secure the win. That resilience feels distant now, as the Wildcats grapple with injuries, personal matters, and a roster struggling to mesh.
Gonzaga, meanwhile, started strong but suffered a shocking 101-61 blowout to Michigan before Thanksgiving. Rested and motivated, the Bulldogs have had ample time to scout Kentucky's weaknesses. The game tips off at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
Streaming options for Kentucky basketball vs Gonzaga in Nashville
- Spectrum: Channel 28
- DirecTV: Channel 206
- DISH: Channel 140
- Streaming only: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV (Orange Plan)
How to listen to Wildcats vs Bulldogs on the radio
- Online: Stream live at UKAthletics.com or on iHeartRadio via WLAP 630.
- Local FM/AM Stations:
- Lexington: 98.1 FM / 630 WLAP
- Louisville: 840 AM WHAS
- London: 103.9 FM WWEL
- Hazard/Pikeville: 101.1 WSGS
- Madisonville: 93.9 FM WKTG
Kentucky's path to bouncing back against Gonzaga
Can the Cats turn it around? Coach Mark Pope's squad showed flashes against UNC, rallying to take a late lead despite poor shooting and rebounding lapses. But consistency eludes them, with offensive droughts and defensive breakdowns proving costly. Gonzaga's balanced attack, led by efficient scoring and rebounding, poses a stern test, especially if Kentucky's key players remain sidelined.
Pope has emphasized focus and buy-in, but the team's inability to gel raises concerns. A win here could spark momentum heading into the toughest part of the schedule, reclaiming the form that saw them upset top teams last season.
Fans are hopeful, but the Zags' preparation makes this a pivotal bounce-back opportunity. Tune in to see if Kentucky can channel last year's comeback spirit or if Gonzaga pounces on their struggles. This matchup has all the makings of another barnburner.