Kentucky, Gonzaga agree to home-and-home series over next 2 seasons

Kentucky and Gonzaga have agreed to a home-and-home series over the next two seasons, beginning Nov. 20 in Spokane.

Next year's matchup will take place in Lexington at Rupp Arena.

Wildcats head coach John Calipari and longtime Bulldogs bench boss Mark Few made the joint announcement Tuesday during Kentucky's open practice and telethon for those affected in the state by the recent floods.

"We talk like three times a week and all of a sudden he was like, 'You want to play?' So you know me. I say, 'Fine by me.' I mean, that was it almost to a T," Few told The Athletic's Kyle Tucker and Dana O'Neil. "For us, Drew (Timme), Julian (Strawther), Rasir (Bolton), they all made the decision to come back.

"These are the kinds of games they want to play in, so why not? It's fun for them. It's great for the sport. There are a thousand positives and no negatives."

Kentucky and Gonzaga's only meeting was 20 years ago at the Maui Invitational, which was an 80-72 Wildcats win. Calipari went 4-0 against Few while he was at the helm of Memphis.

Both Kentucky and Gonzaga are widely considered Final Four favorites this season. The Wildcats return Sahvir Wheeler and reigning National Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe. Five-star freshmen Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace are also joining the fold.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are led by All-American big man Drew Timme. Fellow starters Rasir Bolton and Julian Strawther are also back for another year after last season's disappointing Sweet 16 exit.