Live score updates: Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Kentucky Wildcats

Two of the biggest brands in college basketball clash in a rare February nonconference game Saturday when the Gonzaga Bulldogs head down south to face the No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena. Plenty is at stake for both programs.

For Gonzaga (17-6, 8-2 WCC), an upset on the road would greatly improve its at-large chances of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Ranked 25th in the NET, the Bulldogs are 0-5 in Quad 1 games (16-1 in Q2/3/4 games) and currently sit on the outside of the 68-team field in the latest ESPN Bracketology by Joe Lunardi.

On Wednesday, Gonzaga cruised to a 96-64 win over Portland and drained a season-high 15 3-pointers. Braden Huff led the way with 25 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the floor. Anton Watson added 20 points.

Meanwhile, Kentucky (16-6, 6-4 SEC) has lost three of its last five games and dropped down to fifth place in the SEC standings. The losing skid also dropped the Wildcats down to the 6-seed line in Lunardi's Bracketology.

Much of Kentucky's recent struggles stem from the defensive end of the floor, where it ranks 102nd in efficiency per KenPom — the program's lowest ranking since the stat was first tracked in 1997. 

Offensively, the Wildcats lead the country in scoring (89.7 points) and 3-point field goal percentage (41.1%).

The second of a six-game series between the two programs is just the third all-time head-to-head meeting. Gonzaga thumped Kentucky, 88-72, last season at the Spokane Arena.

• HOW TO WATCH GONZAGA VS. KENTUCKY

Here are the live updates:

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