In the latest “way-too-early” college basketball rankings by James Fletcher III of On3, the Kentucky Wildcats are positioned at No. 4 nationally for the 2025–26 season. This ranking places them behind only Houston, Duke, and Purdue, and ahead of fellow SEC contender Auburn, which sits at No. 5 .
Fletcher acknowledges the setback from the decommitment of Acaden Lewis but emphasizes that head coach Mark Pope has ample options to reinforce the roster through the transfer portal. He notes that Kentucky’s strong position reflects the depth and competitiveness of the SEC, which boasts six teams in the top 14 of his rankings .
Adding to the anticipation, Kentucky is scheduled to host Purdue in an exhibition game on October 24 in Lexington, offering an early-season test against another top-ranked team .
With a reloaded roster and a full offseason to prepare, expectations are high for Mark Pope in his second year, with many believing the Wildcats are poised for a championship run. 
