Gonzaga-Kentucky Feb. 10 showdown slated for afternoon tipoff on CBS

Tip time and television details announced in SEC release on Thursday

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are slated to take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Feb. 10 at 1 p.m. PT on CBS, according to a Southeastern Conference release.

The second game of the six-game series will see Mark Few's program travel to Rupp Arena for the first time. Gonzaga handled Kentucky, 88-72, last season at the Spokane Arena. The teams will square off in Seattle in the 2024-25 season and Nashville the following season. The series closes with the Wildcats visiting the McCarthey Athletic Center in 2027-28.

Gonzaga will travel to Lexington, Kentucky, after hosting Portland on Feb. 7. The Bulldogs return home to resume West Coast Conference action against Loyola Marymount on Feb. 15. Kentucky faces Vanderbilt on Feb. 6 and Mississippi State on Feb. 13. 

Kentucky won't have Oscar Tshiebwe in this season's matchup, but the Wildcats bring in the No. 1-ranked recruiting class according to 247Sports headlined by Justin Edwards (No. 3 ranked recruit), Aaron Bradshaw (No. 5) and DJ Wagner (No. 6). Bradshaw is likely to miss time with a foot injury, but regardless, the Wildcats are deep with young talent. John Calipari also returned Antonio Reeves (14.4 points per game) and added transfer forward Tre Mitchell.

Following a loss in the second round to Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats ranked 17th in ESPN's way-too-early power rankings. Depending on how the season goes, fans could be in store for another top-25 showdown between the two basketball powerhouses. 

Gonzaga is ranked No. 7 in those rankings and will face at least six preseason top-25 opponents, not including potential matchups against Tennessee (No. 8), Kansas (No. 1) and Marquette (No. 10) at the Maui Invitational.

Gonzaga-Saint Mary's ranked fifth-best rivalry in college basketball for 2023-24 season