The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team has announced five additional non-conference games for the 2025–26 season, bolstering an already formidable schedule under head coach Mark Pope. These matchups, all set to take place at Rupp Arena, promise to deliver high-stakes competition and compelling narratives for the Wildcats and their fans.
🏀 Key Matchups
Indiana (Dec. 13): The storied rivalry between Kentucky and Indiana is set to resume with a home game in Lexington. This marks the first regular-season meeting since 2011 and the first overall since their 2016 NCAA Tournament clash. The game is part of a renewed four-year series that will alternate between Lexington, Bloomington, and neutral sites .
Tennessee Tech (Nov. 26): Led by former Kentucky standout and Athletics Hall of Famer John Pelphrey, Tennessee Tech will visit Rupp Arena. Pelphrey’s return adds a sentimental touch to the matchup .
Loyola University Maryland (Nov. 21): This game marks the second meeting between Kentucky and Loyola Maryland, with the Wildcats having won the previous encounter during the 2011–12 season .
North Carolina Central (Dec. 9): Kentucky will face North Carolina Central for the first time in program history.
Bellarmine (Dec. 23): An in-state showdown, this game will be the second recent matchup between Kentucky and Bellarmine, following a Wildcats victory in the 2022–23 season .
These additions complement an already challenging non-conference slate that includes games against Gonzaga, Michigan State, Louisville, and a yet-to-be-announced opponent in the SEC-ACC Challenge. Coach Pope emphasized the importance of a rigorous schedule, stating, “If you’re coming to Kentucky, don’t come here and hide. It doesn’t make sense to come here and hide” .
With these strategic matchups, Kentucky aims to prepare its roster for the demands of SEC play and position itself as a contender on the national st
