The long‑standing non‑conference basketball series between the University of Kentucky and Gonzaga University has come to an end after four seasons of competition.
Gonzaga dominated the matchup, winning three of the four meetings, highlighted by a 94‑59 victory at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on December 5, 2023.
The final chapter
Both programs announced that they will seek new opponents for the upcoming season, looking to diversify their schedules and explore fresh rivalries.
The series, which began in 2022, included a home‑and‑home agreement slated for the 2026‑27 season at Rupp Arena in Lexington and the 2027‑28 season at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, Washington.
Two of Kentucky’s defeats occurred under the guidance of coach John Calipari, who led the Wildcats in games at Spokane Arena in 2022 and Rupp Arena in 2023.
Mark Pope, who succeeded Calipari, posted a 1‑1 record against Gonzaga, highlighted by an overtime win in Seattle during the 2024 meeting.
With the rivalry concluded, the focus now shifts to how each team will reshape its non‑conference slate and what new storylines will emerge in the next chapter of college basketball.