Kentucky took its first loss of the season at Clemson on Tuesday. Can they bounce back in a late-night top-ten showdown? KSR’s LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from Climate Pledge Arena as No. 4 Kentucky takes on No. 7 Gonzaga (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Gonzaga is 7-1 this season, the lone loss being in overtime to West Virginia in the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Bulldogs sport wins over Baylor, Arizona State, and Indiana and are No. 5 nationally in scoring (90.4 points per game), four spots behind Kentucky at No. 1 (92.9). They also limit teams to just 66.1 points per game and 24.5% from the three-point line. This is the third game in a six-year series between the two schools, with Gonzaga winning the first two at Spokane Arena (88-72) and Rupp Arena (89-85).
Refresh the feed below for updates and our takes on the game, from both Seattle and the couch. You can also join the conversation on the KSBoard Game Thread or by texting your observations to 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
By:Tyler ThompsonMark Pope gives KSR a shoutout in the postgame presser12/08/2024 12:03:39 AM
As if we needed another reason to love him.
At the end of the Press Conference, Mark Pope points to the KSR crew in the crowd and looks at Robinson and says “you know these guys drove all the way out here from Lexington. Gotta love it”
Very cool pic.twitter.com/IxDeBHcygQ
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 8, 2024
Mark Pope ended out his press conference by telling Jaxson Robinson & Andrew Carr, “ You know these guys drove all the way out here from Lexington”
Awesome way to end out the night. pic.twitter.com/s9kmLSRlfd
— Mario A Maitland (@MarioMaitland_3) December 8, 2024
By:Tyler ThompsonVictory photos12/07/2024 11:51:13 PM
I can never get enough of them. You can hear “Go Big Blue” chants in the background of Goose Givens’ interview with Otega Oweh.
Dec 7, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope celebrates after a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) celebrates after a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Brandon Garrison (10) and guard Koby Brea (4) celebrate after a game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
By:Tyler ThompsonKSR LIVE BLOG Text Machine is HAPPY12/07/2024 11:43:13 PM
There were some skeptics at halftime, but after Kentucky clawed back from a 16-point deficit to beat No. 7 Gonzaga in overtime, we are all believers once again. The text machine is happy.
By:Tyler ThompsonFINAL: Kentucky 90, Gonzaga 89 OT12/07/2024 11:37:13 PM
That. Just. Happened. The Cats outlasted Gonzaga in an instant classic winning the Battle in Seattle 90-89 in overtime. We’ll be pumping out content from this one until dawn. GO CATS!!!!
By:Tyler ThompsonJaxson hits a clutch bucket, so does Hickman12/07/2024 11:30:31 PM
We’re trading clutch buckets. Jaxson Robinson hit a huge shot to put Kentucky up four, but Nolan Hickman followed it up with a three. It’s Kentucky 90, Gonzaga 89 with 4.3 seconds left.
Breathe…
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 32.9 OT – Kentucky 88, Gonzaga 8612/07/2024 11:28:32 PM
Koby Brea picked up his fourth foul, and after Ike hit one of two, Mark Pope called a timeout with 32.9 left on the clock, 20 on the shot clock. The Cats have the possession arrow.
By:Tyler ThompsonMore national praise for the Cats12/07/2024 11:26:21 PM
We’re still in a timeout, so I’ll share more tweets from some national writers enjoying this awesome game.
No matter the outcome, I think people will see Kentucky as a serious contender after this one. Not many teams would have responded this way in the second half. And it also puts Mark Pope’s stamp on the program after real adversity.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) December 8, 2024
Kentucky is missing their starting point guard. Their backup PG is out with cramps. Kentucky was down 17 in the second half, playing after midnight ET on the west coast against Gonzaga.
They’re up 86-79 with less than three mintues left in OT. Win or lose, this is so impressive.
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) December 8, 2024
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 1:09 OT – Kentucky 88, Gonzaga 8512/07/2024 11:23:50 PM
Andrew Carr is putting his team on his back inside, hitting a jumper to push Kentucky’s lead back to three with 1:09 to go. He has a team-high 17 points.
KSBar is excited:
By:Tyler ThompsonNembhard hits a three to pull Gonzaga within one12/07/2024 11:21:29 PM
Ryan Nembhard isn’t going away quietly. He just drained a huge three to pull Gonzaga within one, 86-85 with 1:34 to go.
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 2:48 OT – Kentucky 86, Gonzaga 7912/07/2024 11:20:15 PM
Kentucky’s starting to pull away from the Zags in overtime. Otega Oweh just hit one of two free throws to extend the lead to seven.
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 4:06 OT – Kentucky 83, Gonzaga 7912/07/2024 11:15:15 PM
The Cats are the aggressors so far in overtime! Dunks by Otega Oweh and Amari Williams have Kentucky on top of Gonzaga by four with four minutes left to go, 83-79. Shoutout to Jaxson Robinson for some impressive point guard play.
We can hear those “Go Big Blue” chants loud and clear!
By:Tyler ThompsonWe’re going to overtime12/07/2024 11:11:07 PM
Otega Oweh drove the lane and had a good look but it was blocked. Koby Brea grabbed the rebound but his jumper wouldn’t fall. As Aaron Flener would say, it’s time for free basketball.
By:Tyler ThompsonStill tied with 24.5 seconds to go!12/07/2024 11:08:57 PM
Mark Pope just called a timeout with 24.5 seconds to go. Cats have the ball. What will Pope draw up?
By:Tyler ThompsonANDREW CARR TIES THE GAME12/07/2024 11:06:10 PM
We’ve got a tie ball game, folks! Andrew Carr just tied things up at 79 with a gorgeous stepback jumper. 58.1 seconds to go. This is bonkers.
By:Tyler Thompson1-POINT GAME12/07/2024 11:02:46 PM
A CLUTCH bucket by Jaxson Robinson makes it a one-point game, Kentucky trailing Gonzaga 78-71 with 1:29 to go. What a huge response. Robinson is up to 16 points.
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 2:54 2H – Gonzaga 76, Kentucky 7112/07/2024 10:57:41 PM
It’s a back-and-forth battle. At the final media timeout, Gonzaga leads by five, 76-71. Andrew Carr is back in with four fouls and is playing fantastic, throwing down a big dunk. Jaxson Robinson’s long two attempt took a wild bounce and fell back in to cut Gonzaga’s lead to three but Khalif Battle responded with a bucket of his own to push it back to five.
For the second game in a row, Kentucky has battled back after a poor first half, but it may be too little too late…
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 5:57 2H Gonzaga 67, Kentucky 6512/07/2024 10:53:11 PM
Two free throws by Ansley Almonor has Gonzaga’s lead down to two with just under six minutes to go. The fouls are starting to mount, though, 18 on Kentucky and 11 on Gonzaga.
By:Tyler ThompsonAndrew Carr picks up his 4th foul12/07/2024 10:50:04 PM
Good news: Andrew Carr is playing great. He’s up to 15 points and just threw down a big dunk. Bad news: he just picked up his fourth foul. Ben Gregg hit one of two free throws to make it Gonzaga 66, Kentucky 61 with 6:35 to go…
By:Tyler ThompsonKerr Kriisa is cramping12/07/2024 10:42:33 PM
Kerr Kriisa just went down with a cramp and is receiving treatment on bench. Somebody get the pickle juice.
Gonzaga 65, Kentucky 59, 8:41 2H
By:Tyler ThompsonKerr Kriisa is pumped12/07/2024 10:37:42 PM
Can Kerr bottle some of that energy up for us to use tomorrow morning?
By:Tyler ThompsonESPN seems to have forgotten about Kentucky’s win vs. Duke12/07/2024 10:36:15 PM
The Worldwide Leader needs to check their facts or risk the wrath of an angry BBN.
By:Tyler ThompsonNational love for the Cats’ second-half fight12/07/2024 10:32:15 PM
I shared the criticism Kentucky faced after a rough first half so it’s only fair to share the praise the Cats are getting for an inspired start to the second half. Kentucky is on a 16-2 run over the last 6:31.
Kentucky made a decision that they weren’t going out like that. Wild 16-2 run cuts Gonzaga’s lead to three points. The Wildcats look like a different team in the second half.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) December 8, 2024
Fantastic start to the half for Kentucky. Started finishing at the rim, starting getting clean looks in the half-court. Gonzaga’s shots not falling. Game has completely shifted since the break. https://t.co/5TaylfoC5p
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) December 8, 2024
We’ve got a great atmosphere inside @ClimateArena in Seattle for the final 11:25. @KentuckyMBB has come storming back from 16 down at the half to come within 3 of @ZagMBB. And this is all without Lamont Butler, who hasn’t played due to an ankle injury suffered at Clemson.
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) December 8, 2024
By:Tyler ThompsonKOBY BREA THREE!!!!!12/07/2024 10:29:52 PM
There’s the Koby Brea three we needed! Brea finally connected from the outside, sinking a three to make it 58-55 Gonzaga. Brea just picked up a foul trying to block a shot but you love to see the fight this group is showing.
Kentucky trails by three with 11:25 to go…
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 14:49 2H – Gonzaga 56, Kentucky 5212/07/2024 10:26:00 PM
We’ve got a two-possession game, folks. The Cats are on a 13-0 run to cut Gonzaga’s lead to four, 56-52.
This pass from Kerr Kriisa to Andrew Carr for the score was awesome.
By:Drew FranklinGonzaga fans are having too much fun12/07/2024 10:21:24 PM
Big Blue Nation traveled, but Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle is Gonzaga’s house so far, and they’re having all the fun tonight. From the start, the Zags have controlled the game and the energy in the building, drowning out any pro-UK chants and cheers from the audience. There is still a lot of basketball left, so maybe things turn around for the better. But as I write you, this is all Gonzaga and the Bulldogs are loving it.
It doesn’t help that the KSR crew is watching this game from the Space Needle.
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 16:43 2H – Gonzaga 56, Kentucky 4612/07/2024 10:17:10 PM
Here come the adjustments. Kentucky is on a 7-0 run to pull within ten. The Cats are also playing a zone. ::eyeball emoji::
By:Tyler ThompsonText Machine has thoughts12/07/2024 10:14:32 PM
The KSR LIVE BLOG Text Machine has been pretty quiet up until tonight. With the Cats trailing the Zags by a big margin, it is lighting up. Here are a few takes. You can share yours by texting 859-587-3828 (standard messaging rates apply).
By:Zack GeogheganWhere is the fight?12/07/2024 10:07:19 PM
It was nonexistent in the first half. Gonzaga bullied its way right through the ‘Cats. They dominated on the glass and in the paint. It was men against boys. Kentucky showed the ability to bounce back in the second half against Clemson, but it shouldn’t have to get to that point in the first place. It might be too late for a second half comeback at this stage.
This is @KentuckyMBB’s largest halftime deficit (16 points) since November 20th, 2022 against….Gonzaga (16 points)
— Corey Price (@coreyp08) December 8, 2024
By:Tyler ThompsonNational takes on Kentucky vs. Gonzaga12/07/2024 09:59:17 PM
College Basketball Twitter is weighing in on the Cats vs. the Zags and the reviews for Kentucky are not kind.
That’s an incredible, 50-point first half for Gonzaga. They can score at every position. And once they start running on you, you can’t stop them. Kentucky looks rattled by Gonzaga’s aggressiveness. Have to make a decision about who they want to be in the second half, win or lose.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) December 8, 2024
HALF — GONZAGA 50, KENTUCKY 34
It’s all Zags in Seattle. Graham Ike has 18 points and 8 rebounds in 15 minutes of basketball. Bulldogs shot 54%. Ryan Nembhard has 8 points, 7 assists and just 1 turnover.
Wildcats couldn’t stop a thing. CLINIC by Mark Few’s team.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) December 8, 2024
Halftime: Gonzaga 50, Kentucky 34
One team has Ryan Nembhard and one does not.
Nembhard has 8 points, 7 assists and just 1 turnover.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 8, 2024
By:Tyler ThompsonHALF: Gonzaga 50, Kentucky 3412/07/2024 09:54:17 PM
It ain’t pretty, folks. Gonzaga leads Kentucky by 16, 50-34 at half. The Cats are shooting just 33% from the floor, 29% from three. Kentucky has no answer for Graham Ike or Ryan Nembhard — or really, any of the Bulldogs, who are shooting 54% from the floor and outrebounding the Cats 25-16.
Just a really disappointing showing from the Cats so far, who are getting pushed around for the second game in a row. Yeah, Lamont Butler is out, but even if he played, I’m not sure if would be enough to slow down the Zags.
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 0:42 1H – Gonzaga 46, Kentucky 4212/07/2024 09:51:43 PM
That didn’t last long. Kriisa is back in for Perry.
By:Tyler ThompsonTravis Perry is now in12/07/2024 09:49:03 PM
Travis Perry is now running point for the Cats. So far, Jaxson Robinson missed a bucket inside and Perry missed a three. Kentucky has missed its last six shots and hasn’t scored in almost four minutes. Meanwhile, Gonzaga’s Graham Ike already has 18 points and 8 rebounds.
Someone want to step up and be the spark? Please?
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 4:18 1H – Gonzaga 44, Kentucky 3212/07/2024 09:43:36 PM
Gonzaga’s lead is up to 12. Some threes from Koby Brea would help, but his last attempt just hit the side of the backboard.
By:Tyler ThompsonBrandon Garrison picks up a cheap technical12/07/2024 09:39:13 PM
Brandon Garrison just picked up a very cheap technical foul after celebrating an and-one. Completely ridiculous.
In other Garrison news, he hit the first three of his career on Kentucky’s previous possession.
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 7:42 1H – Gonzaga 30, Kentucky 2112/07/2024 09:33:33 PM
Fourth time was the charm on that possession for Kentucky, as Ansley Almonor finally got a three to fall after two missed attempts by him and one by Jaxson Robinson. The Cats are now 3-11 from the three-point line tonight.
By:Tyler ThompsonGonzaga now leads by 12…12/07/2024 09:28:12 PM
Not great, Bob. Khalif Battle just threw down a huge dunk to make it 30-18 Gonzaga with 8:58, prompting Mark Pope to call a timeout. This is the most Kentucky has trailed a game at any point this season. The Cats are getting exposed on the defensive end.
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 11:46 1H – Gonzaga 21, Kentucky 1212/07/2024 09:22:24 PM
Gonzaga lead is almost double digits. The Cats are now shooting 4-14 (29%) from the floor, missing eight of their last nine shots. Kentucky has also turned the ball over three times.
Lots of time left (and of course Kentucky is without Butler) but Gonzaga looks like a much better team so far.
By:Tyler ThompsonBrandon Garrison breaks the drought12/07/2024 09:20:32 PM
A very pretty pass from Jaxson Robinson to Brandon Garrison just broke Kentucky’s scoring drought. Unfortuantely, Garrison turned it over on the next posession. Collin Chandler also just committed a turnover.
Gonzaga 19, Kentucky 12 with 12:02 to go until half.
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 13:39 – Gonzaga 17, Kentucky 1012/07/2024 09:19:04 PM
It feels like Gonzaga can’t miss and Kentucky can’t make a shot. The Cats have now missed their last six field goals, making only one of their last nine. They’re 3-11 from the floor. Yuck.
By:Tyler ThompsonScore Update: 15:44 1H – Gonzaga 11, Kentucky 812/07/2024 09:12:02 PM
Fast-paced and high-scoring game so far. Kentucky sank back-to-back threes to get things rolling but has only made 1 of their last 7 shots. Six lead changes thus far.
By:Tyler ThompsonKriisa’s 1,000th career point gets the Cats going. 12/07/2024 09:09:10 PM
Kentucky needs Kerr Kriisa to play well to win. He started the game with a three, which takes his career point total to 1,000. Congrats, Kerr. Keep shooting.
By:Tyler ThompsonKentucky’s starters vs. Gonzaga12/07/2024 08:52:39 PM
As we know, Kerr Kriisa will start in Lamont Butler’s place. From there, it’s the usual lineup.
77 Kerr Kriisa
00 Otega Oweh
02 Jaxson Robinson
07 Andrew Carr
22 Amari Williams
By:Tyler ThompsonYou know you’re a Kentucky fan when…12/07/2024 08:42:54 PM
…your name is actually Kentucky. Really.
By:Tyler ThompsonReminder that Kerr Kriisa caught a fish with his bare hands yesterday12/07/2024 08:39:11 PM
The Lamont Butler news is a bummer, but Kerr Kriisa has a huge chance for redemption after a bad outing vs. Clemson. And let us not forget that Kriisa caught a fish with his bare hands yesterday at Pike Place market. Hopefully that kind of control bodes well for tonight.
By:Tyler ThompsonPope confirms Lamont Butler is OUT12/07/2024 08:30:19 PM
The writing was pretty much on the wall, but Mark Pope just confirmed that Lamont Butler (ankle) will NOT play tonight and Kerr Kriisa will get his first start in his place.
“Lamont is out today. The performance team has been working like crazy trying to get him back. Just couldn’t quite get him back healthy where he was able to be on the floor and be explosive. Kerr will start tonight.”
From there, Pope said Jaxson Robinson and Travis Perry will spell Kriisa when he needs a break.
“It’s going to be by committee. Jaxson plays some one. TP will give some time at the one, kind of balance that as we go.”
By:Tyler Thompson30 minutes from tip12/07/2024 08:25:49 PM
We’re inching closer to tipoff. While we wait, here’s a reminder of how you can watch or listen. Plus, a look at Koby Brea’s very pink shoes.
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Television: ESPN2 (Jon Sciambi, Jimmy Dykes)
Home Radio: UK Sports Network – 630 WLAP, iHeart Radio (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)
Online Radio: iHeart
Satellite Radio: Sirius 106 or 190
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
By:Tyler ThompsonSome more pleasant pregame scenes12/07/2024 08:11:32 PM
The Butler news is not great. According to Matt Jones, the word around the arena is Kerr Kriisa is expected to start with Jaxson Robinson backing him up at point guard.
In other news, the Cats seem to have found their shot in Seattle, at least in warmups.
By:Tyler ThompsonLamont Butler appears to be out12/07/2024 08:06:41 PM
Butler has joined the team for warmups…but he’s wearing sweats. It looks like Kentucky will be without its starting point guard vs. the No. 7 ‘Zags due to the injury he suffered vs. Clemson. Ugh.