Saoirse Downs
The UK men's basketball schedule for the 2024-25 season has been finalized, with game times and TV information now official. The season will tip off on November 4, 2024, with the regular-season opener against Wright State in Rupp Arena, marking the beginning of Mark Pope's tenure as head coach. The schedule includes notable matchups against Duke, Arkansas, and Clemson. The UK men's basketball team is expected to be a competitive force this season, with 12 new scholarship players on the roster and a preseason ranking of #23 by ESPN. With the schedule set, fans can look forward to an exciting season of UK men's basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of search | 2nd July 2025 |
| Season | 2025-26 |
| Status of schedule | Basically complete, but with some gaps to fill |
| Number of regular-season games | 28 |
| Number of exhibitions | 2 |
| Number of unannounced games | 3 |
| Date of season opener | 3rd November 2025 |
| Opponent for season opener | Louisville |
| Venue for season opener | Yum Center |
| Date of first unannounced game | 11th November 2025 |
| Coach | Mark Pope |
| Coach's season | Second |
| Former coach | John Calipari |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mark Pope's debut season as head coach
The 2024-25 season is Mark Pope's debut as head coach of the University of Kentucky men's basketball team. The season schedule was only finalized in September 2024, with the regular-season opener taking place on November 4 against Wright State in Rupp Arena. This was the first game as UK's head coach for Pope, who was hired in April 2024 to replace John Calipari, who left for Arkansas after 15 years in Lexington.
Pope's first season in charge features 12 new scholarship players, and the team is expected to be a back-end Top 25 contender. ESPN ranked Kentucky at No. 23 in its Top 25 rankings, while CBS Sports did not include the Wildcats in their preseason list. The team's first major matchup was against Duke in the Champions Classic in Atlanta on November 12. SEC play began on January 4, with Florida visiting Rupp Arena as Kentucky's opener. One of the most highly anticipated games of the season took place on February 1, with the team facing Arkansas and former coach Calipari in Lexington.
Kentucky's seven SEC games that were previously TBA have now been assigned dates, including away games at Georgia (Jan. 7) and Ole Miss (Feb. 4), and home games against Texas A&M (Jan. 14), Tennessee (Feb. 11), Vanderbilt (Feb. 19), and LSU (March 4). The final away game of the season will be at Oklahoma on February 26.
The Young Basketball Star: Eli Ellis's Age and Achievements
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![2005 NCAA College World Series [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51RBBhpTjoL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Kentucky's first major matchup
The University of Kentucky's men's basketball team has its schedule for the 2024-25 season finalized, with new head coach Mark Pope leading the Wildcats. Kentucky's first major matchup of the season is set to be against Duke on November 12 in the Champions Classic in Atlanta. This game is expected to be the first major test for Pope's team.
The Wildcats' season opener will be against Wright State on November 4 in Rupp Arena, followed by a game against Bucknell on November 9. These games will precede the highly anticipated clash with Duke, which is expected to air on ESPN.
With 12 new scholarship players on the roster, Kentucky is predicted to be a back-end Top 25 team in the preseason rankings. ESPN ranked them at No. 23, while CBS Sports did not include them in their preseason list. The Wildcats' only midweek SEC game already set is against rival Tennessee in Knoxville on an unspecified date in January.
The completion of the schedule finalization process means that Coach Pope and his team can now prepare with certainty for the upcoming season, knowing exactly when their games will take place. Kentucky's SEC play will begin on January 4, with their opener at home against Florida.
The season also includes a notable game against Arkansas on February 1 in Lexington, which marks the return of former coach John Calipari. This game will be the only meeting between Kentucky and the Razorbacks during this season. Kentucky's final home game of the season is scheduled for March 4 against LSU. With a mix of challenging opponents and a new head coach, the 2024-25 season promises to be an exciting one for the Wildcats.
Basketball's Hollow Core: Why the Design?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The team's 12 new scholarship players
The 2024-25 season of UK men's basketball is about to commence, with the schedule now finalized. The team's roster includes 12 new scholarship players, and they are expected to be a back-end Top 25 team in the preseason rankings. ESPN ranked Kentucky at No. 23, while CBS Sports' preseason list did not include them.
The first game of the season will be against Wright State on November 4, with the team's first significant matchup against Duke in the Champions Classic in Atlanta on November 12. The highly anticipated game against Arkansas, which marks the return of former coach John Calipari, will be on February 1 in Lexington.
The new head coach, Mark Pope, is preparing his team for their first set of games. Kentucky's seven SEC games, which were previously TBA, now have official dates. The first is at Georgia on January 7, followed by a home game against Texas A&M on January 14. The team will then travel to Ole Miss on February 4, returning home to face Tennessee on February 11. They will play Vanderbilt on February 19 and Oklahoma on February 26, with the final home game of the season against LSU on March 4.
The only midweek SEC game that was set last month is the clash with rival Tennessee in Knoxville in January. The team is gearing up for an exciting season, and with almost a dozen new players, it will be interesting to see how they perform in the upcoming games.
The Evolution of Basketball: Netball's Influence
You may want to see also
Explore related products
ESPN's Top 25 rankings
The 2024-25 schedule for UK men's basketball was recently finalized, with the season set to kick off on November 12 against Duke in the Champions Classic in Atlanta. ESPN's Top 25 rankings for this season are yet to be released, but we can look at some key teams and their prospects for the upcoming season.
Purdue:
Purdue had a strong run during the 2025 Men's NCAA Tournament, and ESPN believes they have the team to make some noise this coming season.
Texas Tech:
Texas Tech had an impressive comeback in the Sweet 16 against Arkansas and almost took down Florida in the Elite Eight. ESPN expects them to be a force again in 2026.
Michigan:
Michigan added some key players through the transfer portal and came close to defeating Auburn in the Sweet 16. They will be a team to watch in 2026.
BYU:
BYU suffered a heavy defeat to Alabama in the Sweet 16, but they have since recruited A.J. Dybantsa, the top recruit in the nation. ESPN predicts that BYU could be a serious contender in 2026.
Duke:
Duke has made some key moves after falling short in 2025. They will be looking to rebound and contend for the title again.
St. John's:
St. John's had a strong 2024-25 season but suffered an early exit in the Round of 32. They have reloaded their roster and will be back in the mix for the upcoming season.
The University of Kentucky men's basketball team, meanwhile, was ranked 23rd in ESPN's most recent Top 25 rankings. With a new head coach, Mark Pope, and 12 new scholarship players, they will look to improve their ranking in the 2024-25 season.
Where to Watch UNC Basketball Tonight
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The final home game
The University of Kentucky men's basketball schedule for the 2024-25 season is complete, with the final home game of the season taking place on March 4 against LSU. This will be the first season for new head coach Mark Pope, who replaced John Calipari after he left for Arkansas following 15 years in Lexington.
The season will tip off on November 4 against Wright State in Rupp Arena, with the team's first major matchup on November 12 against Duke in the Champions Classic in Atlanta. This game will be aired live on ESPN and ESPNU. The much-anticipated game against Arkansas, marking the return of former coach Calipari, will be on February 1 in Lexington. This will be the only meeting between the two teams this season.
Kentucky's seven SEC games, which were previously TBA, now have official dates. These include games at Georgia (Jan 7), vs Texas A&M (Jan 14), and at Ole Miss (Feb 4). The Cats' only midweek SEC game that was set last month was the clash with rival Tennessee in Knoxville on January 4. The final home game of the season against LSU will be the last of these seven games.
The 2024-25 UK basketball roster features 12 new scholarship players, and the team is expected to be a back-end Top 25 team when the preseason Associated Press rankings are released. ESPN ranked Kentucky at No. 23 in its most recent Top 25 rankings, while CBS Sports did not include the Wildcats in their preseason list.
Doubles Badminton Serve: The Ultimate Guide to Basics
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, the season schedule has been finalized, and the first game is on November 4, 2024.
Mark Pope is the coach for the 2024-25 season.
Some important dates include the game against Duke on November 12, the game against Arkansas on February 1, and the final home game of the season against LSU on March 4.
