Gonzaga basketball schedule for 2024–25: Top nonconference matchups for the Wildcats include Kentucky  and Duke…..

Gonzaga basketball schedule for 2024–25: Top nonconference matchups for the Wildcats include Kentucky  and Duke…..

For the first time since the 2008–09 campaign, a different person will be watching the sidelines for Kentucky than John Calipari. Following Calipari’s shocking departure to Arkansas earlier in the spring, the Wildcats hired Mark Pope out of his position at BYU to take over a program he is familiar with.

Before the real grind of the schedule starts, Kentucky takes on Wright State at home on November 4 and Bucknell later in the week. The next game for the Wildcats is a neutral site matchup in Atlanta versus Duke, who is ranked No. 9 in the CBS Sports Top 25. This matchup should be among the best college basketball matchups of the year. Other marquee nonconference games for the Wildcats include a clash against Gonzaga in Seattle, a home game against in-state rival Louisville, and a road game against Clemson in the ACC-SEC Challenge. Kentucky also faces Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden.

Pope built a roster that features zero returning scholarship players. His first transfer portal commitment came from incoming freshman guard Collin Chandler, who spent the last two years on a Mormon mission. Chandler was Pope’s highest-rated signee (No. 33 overall) during his tenure at BYU. Kentucky also landed high-profile commitments from BYU guard Jaxson Robinson, Dayton sharpshooter Koby Brea, West Virginia guard Kerr Kriisa, San Diego State guard Lamont Butler, and Oklahoma guard Otega Oweh.

2. Gonzaga

When: Dec. 7, 2024 | Where: Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle)

Gonzaga went into Lexington last season and knocked off Kentucky behind a monster performance from star forward Graham Ike. Gonzaga has the luxury of returning most of its starting production from a team that reached the Sweet 16 and should offer Kentucky a valuable test ahead of SEC play. Gonzaga returns Ryan Nembhard, Nolan Hickman, Ben Gregg, and Ike. The Bulldogs also added Pepperdine transfer Michael Ajayi, who averaged 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds last season.