Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Schedule 2025–26: Key Matchups, Rivalries, and What to Expect from the Wildcats Next Season
The Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team is gearing up for a thrilling 2025–26 season under the leadership of second-year head coach Mark Pope. With several marquee matchups already confirmed, the Wildcats’ schedule promises to deliver high-intensity games that will captivate fans across the nation.
Exhibition and Early Season Highlights
The season kicks off with a notable exhibition game against the Purdue Boilermakers on October 24 at Rupp Arena. This matchup is part of a home-and-home series between the two programs, with the return game scheduled for December 14 in West Lafayette, Indiana .
Following the exhibition, Kentucky faces the Louisville Cardinals on November 11 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville. This early-season rivalry game marks only the third time the two teams have met in November, adding an extra layer of excitement to the matchup .
Neutral-Site Showdowns
The Wildcats will participate in several high-profile neutral-site games during the season. On November 18, they will face Michigan State in the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Then, on December 5, Kentucky will take on Gonzaga at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee . The Wildcats and Bulldogs have developed a competitive rivalry, with the series currently tied at 2–2.
Additionally, Kentucky will meet St. John’s on December 20 in the CBS Sports Classic at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. This game adds another exciting matchup to the Wildcats’ non-conference schedule .
Home Games and Other Non-Conference Matchups
At Rupp Arena, Kentucky will host several teams, including Indiana on December 13. This game marks the renewal of the historic rivalry between the Wildcats and the Hoosiers, a series that has been dormant since 2011 . The game is expected to feature both teams ranked in the top 25, adding to the anticipation.
On December 23, Kentucky will host Bellarmine, a program that recently transitioned to Division I. The Knights are in the midst of rebuilding, making this an intriguing matchup for the Wildcats .
The Wildcats will also face North Carolina Central at a date to be determined. This game adds another layer of diversity to Kentucky’s non-conference schedule .
SEC Play
In Southeastern Conference (SEC) play, Kentucky will host nine games and travel for nine road games. The home schedule includes matchups against Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt. On the road, the Wildcats will face Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Vanderbilt .
Looking Ahead
As the season approaches, fans can look forward to a schedule filled with high-stakes games and historic rivalries. With a talented roster and a challenging slate of opponents, the 2025–26 season is poised to be one of the most exciting in recent memory for the Kentucky Wildcats.
