Kentucky Unveils Five New Non-Conference Matchups for 2025-26 Season, Including Indiana Showdown
LEXINGTON, KY – The Kentucky men’s basketball program continued to fill out its 2025-26 non-conference schedule today, officially announcing five new home games that promise to excite the Big Blue Nation. Head coach Mark Pope’s vision for a challenging slate is clearly taking shape, with the highlight being a highly anticipated showdown against long-time rival Indiana in Rupp Arena.
The newly announced home contests, all set to be played in Lexington, are:
* November 21 vs. Loyola University Maryland
* November 26 vs. Tennessee Tech (coached by UK Hall of Famer John Pelphrey)
* December 9 vs. North Carolina Central
* December 13 vs. Indiana
* December 23 vs. Bellarmine
The Dec. 13 matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers marks the return of a historic rivalry, a series that has been largely dormant in recent years. This particular game is slated to be the first of a four-year series, with future contests set for neutral sites (Lucas Oil Stadium in 2026, then back to Rupp Arena in 2027) before a return to Bloomington’s Assembly Hall in 2028 – Kentucky’s first trip there since the 2011-12 season. This re-ignition of the rivalry is a major win for college basketball fans nationwide.
These five additions complement an already robust non-conference schedule that includes high-profile matchups such as:
* October 24 vs. Purdue (Exhibition)
* October 30 vs. Georgetown (Exhibition)
* November 11 vs. Louisville
* November 18 vs. Michigan State (Champions Classic in New York)
* December 5 vs. Gonzaga (in Nashville)
* December 20 vs. St. John’s (CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta)
* An unannounced opponent for the SEC/ACC Challenge
With these announcements, Kentucky’s 2025-26 non-conference slate is shaping up to be one of the toughest in the nation. Coach Pope has repeatedly emphasized his desire for a schedule that tests his team early and often, preparing them for the rigors of SEC play and the NCAA Tournament. The inclusion of traditional powers, renewed rivalries, and challenging road/neutral site games reflects this aggressive philosophy.
Kentucky fans can now look forward to a season packed with thrilling matchups, as Mark Pope continues to build a program designed for sustained success and national prominence.
