2025-26 Basketball Schedule

  Kentucky Wildcats Load Up 2025-26 Basketball Schedule with

 Challenging Non-Conference Slate

The anticipation for the 2025-26 college basketball season is already building in Lexington, as the Kentucky Wildcats, under the leadership of Head Coach Mark Pope, are assembling a non-conference schedule that promises to be both captivating and demanding. The program recently announced the addition of five new opponents, further solidifying a lineup that underscores Pope's commitment to facing top-tier competition.

Kentucky Wildcats Load Up 2025-26 Basketball Schedule
These newly finalized matchups include contests against Loyola University Maryland, Tennessee Tech, North Carolina Central, Indiana, and Bellarmine. These games will be interspersed with previously confirmed high-profile clashes, setting the stage for a rigorous test before the Wildcats even delve into the always-competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC) schedule.

Mark Pope has consistently emphasized his desire for Kentucky to embrace challenges, a philosophy that is clearly reflected in the construction of this non-conference slate. Speaking to Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) earlier this week, Pope articulated his vision for the program: "You guys will hear me say this until as long as I get to be here: If you’re coming to Kentucky, don’t come here and hide. It doesn’t make sense to come here and hide." This statement encapsulates his intent to forge a team that thrivesunder pressure and against formidable opponents.

The five new additions to the schedule each bring their own unique narrative and challenge:

  • Loyola University Maryland (November 21, Rupp Arena): The Greyhounds, hailing from the Patriot League, will travel to Lexington for an early-season contest. While perhaps not a power conference opponent, this game will provide an opportunity for the Wildcats to fine-tune their execution and build cohesion early in the season.
  • Tennessee Tech (November 26, Rupp Arena): This matchup carries a special significance as it marks the return to Rupp Arena for Kentucky Athletics Hall of Famer John Pelphrey, who currently serves as the head coach of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. This homecoming narrative adds an extra layer of intrigue to what will undoubtedly be a competitive game.
  • North Carolina Central (December 9, Rupp Arena): Representing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the Eagles will visit Lexington in December. This contest will offer another chance for Kentucky to test its strategies against a different style of play as the season progresses.
  • Indiana (December 13, Rupp Arena): The renewal of this storied rivalry is always a highly anticipated event for fans of both programs. The Indiana Hoosiers, from the Big Ten Conference, bring a tradition of basketball excellence and a passionate fanbase. This game at Rupp Arena is expected to be a hard-fought battle with significant implications.
  • Bellarmine (December 23, Rupp Arena): The in-state matchup against the Bellarmine Knights adds a local flavor to the non-conference schedule. Bellarmine, now competing at the Division I level, has proven to be a capable opponent, and this game will likely draw considerable regional interest.

These five newly announced games join an already formidable lineup of non-conference opponents. The Wildcats' schedule also includes two high-profile exhibition games at Rupp Arena against Purdue on October 24 and Georgetown on October 30. These early contests will provide valuable opportunities for the team to gel and for fans to get a first look at the 2025-26 squad.

Kentucky Wildcats Beef Up 2025-26 Basketball Schedule with Five New Opponents

The regular season non-conference slate is equally challenging, featuring matchups against some of the most recognizable names in college basketball:

  • Louisville (November 11, Louisville): The annual rivalry game against the Louisville Cardinals is always a marquee event in the state of Kentucky. This contest, played on Louisville's home court, will be a high-stakes affair with bragging rights on the line.
  • Michigan State (November 18, Champions Classic in New York): The Champions Classic annually brings together four of the nation's elite programs. The Wildcats' matchup against the Michigan State Spartans in New York City promises to be a showcase of top-tier talent and a significant early-season test.
  • Gonzaga (December 5, Nashville): A neutral-site game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Nashville will pit Kentucky against a perennial national powerhouse. This contest will provide a crucial barometer of the Wildcats' competitiveness on a national scale.
  • St. John’s (December 20, CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta): The CBS Sports Classic is another annual event featuring prominent programs. Kentucky's clash against the St. John's Red Storm in Atlanta will be another opportunity to compete against a quality opponent in a high-pressure environment.
  • SEC/ACC Challenge (TBD): The Wildcats will also participate in the annual SEC/ACC Challenge, with their opponent, date, and location yet to be determined. This game will add another layer of competition against a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference.

With ten of their thirteen non-conference games now accounted for, the picture of Kentucky's pre-SEC schedule is becoming increasingly clear. This collection of opponents represents a deliberate effort by Mark Pope to prepare his team for the rigors of SEC play, which is coming off a historic season where the conference sent a record-breaking fourteen teams to the NCAA Tournament.

The remaining non-conference slots will undoubtedly be filled with teams that further contribute to the overall strength of the schedule. While the identities of these final opponents remain to be seen, the message from Mark Pope and the current composition of the schedule is unmistakable: the Kentucky Wildcats of 2025-26 will not shy away from any challenge. They will be tested early and often, a process intended to forge abattle-hardened team ready to compete at the highest level of collegebasketball.

Kentucky basketball fans can look forward to a season filled with compelling matchups and opportunities to see their team compete against a diverse range of talented opponents. The non-conference schedule is not just a series of games; it is a statement of intent, signaling that the Wildcats under Mark Pope are embracing the challenge of competing with the best in the nation. As the remaining pieces of the schedule fall into place, the anticipation for what promises to be an exciting season will only continue to grow.

KentuckyWildcats Beef Up 2025-26 Basketball Schedule with Five New Opponents

Kentucky basketball fans, get ready! The non-conference schedule for the 2025-26 season is shaping up to be a thrilling gauntlet, and Head Coach Mark Pope isn't shying away from tough competition. Five new matchups have just been finalized, adding to an already impressive list of opponents.

Pope has made it clear that he wants a Kentucky team that embraces challenges. "You guys will hear me say this until as long as I get to be here . If you’re coming to Kentucky, don’t come here and hide. It doesn’t make sense to come here and hide," Pope told KSR this week.

Kentucky Wildcats Beef Up 2025-26 Basketball Schedule with Five New Opponents

The latest additions to the schedule include:

The game against Tennessee Tech on November 26 will be particularly noteworthy as it marks a homecoming for Kentucky Athletics Hall of Famer John Pelphrey, who is currently the head coach of the Golden Eagles.

These five games join a collection of high-profile matchups that were already on the calendar. Before the regular season even tips off, the Wildcats will face Purdue on October 24 and Georgetown on October 30 in exhibition contests, both at Rupp Arena.

The regular season non-conference slate also features significant showdowns:

With 10 of their 13 non-conference games now accounted for, including the SEC/ACC Challenge, it's clear that Kentucky is preparing for a rigorous test before even entering SEC play. The SEC is coming off a historic season where it sent a record-breaking 14 teams to the NCAA Tournament.

While the remaining non-conference opponents are yet to be revealed, one thing is certain: in his second year at the helm, Mark Pope is ensuring that the Kentucky Wildcats will face some of the toughest competition college basketball has to offer. There will be no hiding for this team.

Kentucky’s 2025-26 Non-ConferenceSchedule (as we know it):

 

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