Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Kentucky Wildcats Prediction and Picks - December 5, 2025
It's the WCC vs SEC on Friday evening, and we have a Gonzaga vs Kentucky prediction ready to rock and roll. The Zags are off a humiliating 101-61 loss to Michigan, which dropped them to 7-1 on the year. Kentucky is off a tough 67-64 home loss to North Carolina, and they are now 5-3 on the year. These teams met last year and Kentucky won that game 90-89 in OT. Continue reading to see our Gonzaga vs Kentucky prediction.
Need a buzzer-beater? Our College Basketball Picks are game winners!
The Zags Were Obliterated By Michigan
Gonzaga’s most recent game was a 101–61 loss to Michigan on November 26, where Tyon Grant-Foster led the Bulldogs with 14 points and eight rebounds, but the Wolverines dominated from start to finish. That defeat snapped Gonzaga’s seven-game winning streak and served as a wake-up call after impressive victories over Alabama and Maryland earlier in the week.
Despite the setback, Gonzaga remains one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country, averaging 90.8 points per game while shooting 50.5% from the field (7th nationally). Graham Ike has been a force inside, averaging 15 points and 7.9 rebounds, while Braden Huff adds 15.8 points per game with strong finishing around the rim. Tyon Grant-Foster has provided versatility on the wing, and freshman Mario Saint-Supery has emerged as a steady playmaker with over five assists per game. The Bulldogs thrive in transition and punish opponents with their interior scoring, ranking 1st nationally in two-point percentage (59.5%).
Defensively, Gonzaga has held opponents to 67 points per game and just 39% shooting, but lapses against Michigan showed they can be vulnerable when facing elite athleticism. Their rebounding margin is strong at +11.5 per game, and they force turnovers at a steady clip, averaging 9.4 steals per contest. Against Kentucky, Gonzaga will look to reassert its dominance in the paint, leaning on Ike and Huff to control the glass while hoping their perimeter shooting improves from a modest 32.2% from three.
Sign Up for StatSalt News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
Wildcats Take Tough Home Loss To North Carolina
Kentucky’s last game was a 67–64 loss to North Carolina on December 2, where Otega Oweh led the Wildcats with 16 points, but Derek Dixon’s late layup sealed the win for the Tar Heels. Kentucky had a six-point lead with just over six minutes left but went cold down the stretch, missing key shots in crunch time.
The Wildcats average 86.6 points per game and shoot 49.8% from the field, with Denzel Aberdeen and Oweh both scoring over 13 points per contest. Freshman Malachi Moreno has been a revelation in the frontcourt, averaging 10.3 points and 7.8 rebounds, while Collin Chandler adds perimeter scoring at 11.8 points per game. Kentucky’s offense is balanced, ranking 23rd nationally in two-point percentage (61.3%), and they move the ball well with 19 assists per game. Their depth allows them to push tempo, and they’ve been especially strong at home, though this neutral-site matchup in Nashville will test their consistency.
Defensively, Kentucky has been stout, holding opponents to 63.6 points per game and just 36.4% shooting (11th nationally). Moreno and Brandon Garrison provide rim protection, while Aberdeen and Oweh pressure the perimeter. The Wildcats rebound well at 44.3 boards per game, and their ability to limit second-chance opportunities has been key. Against Gonzaga, Kentucky will need to control the paint and avoid foul trouble, as the Bulldogs’ frontcourt duo of Ike and Huff can overwhelm opponents. If Kentucky’s guards can knock down shots and keep Gonzaga’s transition game in check, they’ll have a chance to bounce back from the UNC loss.
Gonzaga vs Kentucky Pick
Gonzaga vs Kentucky Spread Pick
- Gonzaga -4.5 (4 Units)
Gonzaga -4.5 feels like the right side because the Bulldogs have every reason to come into this matchup with a chip on their shoulder after that 101–61 blowout loss to Michigan. Losing by 40 points is not something this program is used to, and it’s the kind of defeat that lingers, especially for a team that had been rolling with seven straight wins before that stumble. Expect Graham Ike and Braden Huff to set the tone early in the paint, as both average over 15 points per game and give Gonzaga a frontcourt tandem that can overwhelm opponents. With the Bulldogs averaging 90.8 points per game and shooting 50.5% from the field, their offensive efficiency should bounce back in a big way against Kentucky.
Kentucky’s defense has been strong, holding opponents to 63.6 points per game, but Gonzaga’s balance and pace present a different challenge. The Bulldogs rank 1st nationally in two-point percentage (59.5%), meaning they consistently generate high-quality looks inside, and their rebounding edge (44.6 boards per game) allows them to control possessions. Add in the motivation factor — a proud program stung by a rare 40‑point loss — and Gonzaga has every reason to come out aggressive and focused. With Ike and Huff anchoring the attack, Saint-Supery distributing at over five assists per game, and the team looking to prove a point, the Bulldogs are well-positioned to cover the -4.5 and remind everyone why they’re still one of the nation’s elite.
Gonzaga vs Kentucky Over/Under Pick
- Over 160 (5 Units)
The Over 160 looks appealing because both Gonzaga and Kentucky bring elite offensive efficiency and pace that can push this game into a shootout. The Bulldogs average 90.8 points per game while shooting an outstanding 50.5% from the field, ranking first nationally in two‑point percentage at 59.5%, and they rebound well enough to create second‑chance opportunities. Kentucky isn’t far behind, putting up 86.6 points per game with balanced scoring from Denzel Aberdeen, Otega Oweh, and freshman Malachi Moreno, while hitting nearly 50% of their shots. Both teams move the ball at a high level, each averaging around 19 assists per game, and neither is shy about pushing tempo. With Gonzaga motivated to bounce back from their 40‑point loss to Michigan and Kentucky looking to rebound from a close defeat to North Carolina, the ingredients are there for a fast‑paced, high‑scoring clash that makes the Over 160 a strong play.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose
