Kentucky basketball will play its first exhibition game of the 2025-2026 preseason tonight at Rupp Arena.
The Wildcats will host the preseason No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers in a showdown that won’t officially count towards their season but is sure to bring fireworks to those in attendance and anyone watching on TV.
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Head coach Mark Pope and his team are ranked No. 9 in the preseason AP poll, which allows this matchup to feature a clash of two top-10 teams before the regular season even begins.
Even without Jaland Lowe (shoulder injury) in the lineup, Kentucky should be able to put a deep rotation on the floor.
Kentucky-Purdue is one of several other highly anticipated exhibition matchups, with some featuring Duke-Tennessee, BYU-North Carolina, and Kansas-Louisville.
Of course, with this being an exhibition game, there is no point spread that’s been set or any official odds.
However, Andrew Stefaniak of Sports Illustrated is taking Purdue in a narrow victory (83-79) while Drew Holbrook is predicting a similar outcome of Purdue winning (82-74).
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Tip-off is scheduled for 6 PM ET with coverage provided by SEC Network and the UK Radio Sports Network.
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Feel like they’ll finish the season even higher.
Headlines
SEC Coaches Give Strack, Key Preseason Honors – Vaught’s Views
Big season ahead.
Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier arrested in gambling inquiries – ESPN
Former Louisville Cardinal in trouble.
No. 1 Purdue has a Star in Point Guard Braden Smith – Vaught’s Views
Fans will see him in action tonight.
SEC suspends referee in wake of Georgia-Auburn game – ESPN
Feels like they had no choice.
Cats Have to Hope the Vols’ Road Woes Continue – Vaught’s Views
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Unlikely.
Bettors allegedly got injury info on LeBron James – ESPN
Feels like this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Lowe’s injury presents ‘incredible opportunity’ for other UK guards – KSR
Next man up.
UCLA freshman Sienna Betts suffers left leg injury – CBS Sports
Tough break.
