Kentucky Wildcats News: Purdue Gameday for UK Basketball

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.

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.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6 PM ET with coverage provided by SEC Network and the UK Radio Sports Network.

Feel like they’ll finish the season even higher.

Former Louisville Cardinal in trouble.

Fans will see him in action tonight.

Feels like they had no choice.

Feels like this is just the tip of the iceberg.