Mar 20, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Khalif Battle (99) dribbles against Georgia Bulldogs guard Tyrin Lawrence (7) in the second half of a first round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images
Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Gonzaga vs Kentucky Prediction 12/5/2025 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Gonzaga Bulldogs Kentucky Wildcats
Team Records 7-1 5-3
Spread -4.5 -108 +4.5 -112
Moneyline -245 +200
Total Over 159.5 (-112) Under 159.5 (-108)
Where Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
When Friday, December 5, 2025
Time 07:00 PM EST
TV ESPN2

The Kentucky Wildcats and the Gonzaga Bulldogs will meet on Friday evening in a non‑conference showdown at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Kentucky Wildcats Betting Preview

The Kentucky Wildcats enter Friday night’s matchup with a 5–3 win-loss record. The Wildcats have compiled wins over Tennessee Tech, Loyola Maryland, Valparaiso and the Eastern Illinois Panthers. The Wildcats have lost games to North Carolina, Kansas and the Michigan State Spartans. In the Kentucky Wildcats dominant 104-54 win over the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles eight days ago, Kentucky guard Denzel Aberdeen tallied 16 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the field and 4 of 6 from three-point range.

The Kentucky Wildcats average 86.6 points on 49.8 percent shooting from the field per game. Defensively, the Wildcats are allowing opponents 63.6 points (12th in nation) on 36.4 percent shooting from the field (4th in country) per game. What did we learn from the data just presented? Clearly, the Kentucky Wildcats have a superior defense in 2025.

Senior guard Denzel Aberdeen leads the backcourt for the Wildcats, averaging 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Senior guard Otega Oweh provides veteran scoring and perimeter defense. Oweh is averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. Freshman center Malachi Moreno anchors the paint with rim protection and rebounding. Moreno is averaging 10.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.

Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Preview

The Gonzaga Bulldogs enter Friday’s contest with a 7–1 record, including wins over Alabama, Maryland, Arizona State, Creighton and the Oklahoma Sooners. The Bulldogs single loss was to the Michigan Wolverines. In the Gonzaga Bulldogs convincing 100-61 victory over the Maryland Terrapins last month, Gonzaga forward Braden Huff amassed 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs average 90.8 points (15th in country) on 50.5 percent shooting from the field per game. The Bulldogs are allowing opponents 67 points on 39 percent shooting from the field (29th in nation) per game.

Junior forward Braden Huff leads the Bulldogs averaging 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Senior forward Graham Ike is averaging 15 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Tyon Grant‑Foster contributes 12.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Why the Kentucky Wildcats Will Win

•            Elite defense. In eight games played this season, the Kentucky Wildcats are allowing opponents just 63.6 points per game which ranks 12th in the country.

•            Balanced scoring. Denzel Aberdeen and Otega Oweh provide perimeter scoring.

•            Interior anchor. Freshman center Malachi Moreno provides protection and rebounding. Moreno is averaging 10.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game.

Why the Gonzaga Bulldogs Will Win

•            Junior forward Braden Huff is averaging 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.

•            Explosive offense. The Gonzaga Bulldogs average 90.8 points per game which ranks 15th in the country.

•            Frontcourt depth. Huff and Ike have the potential to overwhelm Kentucky in the paint.

Kentucky Wildcats vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Prediction

This game matches up two teams with contrasting styles. The Kentucky Wildcats want to grind possessions, lean on Malachi Moreno’s rebounding and rim protection. Conversely, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are a basketball team that thrives outside of structure.

The Kentucky Wildcats path to victory hinges on perimeter efficiency. Chandler and Aberdeen must hit shots early to stretch Gonzaga’s defense, otherwise Kentucky risks long scoring droughts. Gonzaga’s offense is less fragile in that regard. Huff and Ike provide a steady interior scoring base and the team’s guard rotation can manufacture points even when shots aren’t falling from behind the arc. I am backing the Gonzaga Bulldogs to cover the 3.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Gonzaga Bulldogs -3.5

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