Kentucky Makes Program History for All the Wrong Reasons After Loss vs. Gonzaga

The third straight home loss for the Wildcats on Saturday was monumental.

The No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats fell to unranked Gonzaga at Rupp Arena on Saturday afternoon, 89–85, to fall to 16-7 on the season.

The victory for Gonzaga was crucial for its NCAA tournament hopes in a season where the Bulldogs are not quite as good as in recent years. For Kentucky though, the loss was historic for a program that has had plenty of storied moments.

With the loss on Saturday, Kentucky has its first three-game home losing streak in the history of Rupp Arena, which opened in 1976. In fact, this is the first three-game home losing streak for the Wildcats since the ’66 season.

Rupp Arena opened in 1976 😳

It's Kentucky's first three-game home skid since 1966. pic.twitter.com/c1wV24MBfd

— ESPN (@espn) February 10, 2024

Kentucky should still be O.K. in terms of making the NCAA tournament, but its margin for error is slipping, according to Sports Illustrated college basketball writer Kevin Sweeney. 

Kentucky’s résumé:

Résumé metrics (KPI + SOR) outside top 30

2-5 vs. Quad 1

5-6 vs Q1+Q2

Quad 3 loss to UNCW

Wildcats’ overall body of work is very underwhelming. Have only beaten three teams anywhere close to the NCAAT: UNC, Florida, Mississippi State.

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) February 10, 2024

Kentucky will need to continue to stack wins throughout the rest of the season, and that will start with playing better basketball at home inside Rupp Arena.

The Wildcats are back in action on Tuesday night when they host Ole Miss.