Connect with us

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball Announces Exhibition Games For 2023-24 Season, Finalizes Schedule

Published

on

Kentucky guard DJ Wagner going up for a layup at the first day of practice.
UK Athletics/Chet White

In early September, Kentucky basketball released their 2023-24 regular season schedule, but have now announced their two exhibition games, completing the 2023-24 schedule.

Kentucky has announced two exhibition games for the upcoming season, playing Georgetown College on October 27th, as well as Kentucky State on November 2nd, as part of the Unity Series. Both games will be held at Rupp Arena.

Kentucky has a loaded non-conference schedule to add on to the tough SEC play. The non-conference schedule includes opponents like Kansas, Miami, UNC, Gonzaga, and Louisville. Based on preseason ranking projections, the Wildcats could play 9-11 games against Top 25 opponents.

Advertisement

First though, it’s Big Blue Madness on October 13 at 7 p.m. ET inside Rupp Arena. You can check out the full 2023-24 Men’s Basketball schedule here or below.

DateOpponent/EventLocation
Oct. 13Big Blue MadnessCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Oct. 27Georgetown College (EXH)Central Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Nov. 2Kentucky State (EXH)Central Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Nov. 6New Mexico StateCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Nov. 10Texas A&M-CommerceCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Nov. 14vs. KansasUnited Center (Chicago)
Nov. 17StonehillCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Nov. 20Saint Joseph’sCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Nov. 24MarshallCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Nov. 28MiamiCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Dec. 2UNC-WilmingtonCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Dec. 9vs. PennWells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)
Dec. 16vs. North CarolinaState Farm Arena (Atlanta)
Dec. 21at LouisvilleKFC Yum! Center (Louisville, Ky.)
Dec. 29Illinois StateCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Jan. 6at FloridaExactech Arena (Gainesville, Fla.)
Jan. 9MissouriCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Jan. 13at Texas A&MReed Arena (College Station-Bryan, Texas)
Jan. 17Mississippi StateCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Jan. 20GeorgiaCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Jan. 23at South CarolinaColonial Life Arena (Columbia, S.C.)
Jan. 27at ArkansasBud Walton Arena (Fayetteville, Ark.)
Jan. 31FloridaCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Feb. 3TennesseeCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Feb. 6at VanderbiltMemorial Gymnasium (Nashville, Tenn.)
Feb. 10GonzagaCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Feb. 13Ole MissCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Feb. 17at AuburnAuburn Arena (Auburn, Ala.)
Feb. 21at LSUPete Maravich Center (Baton Rouge, La.)
Feb. 24AlabamaCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
Feb. 27at Mississippi StateHumphrey Coliseum (Starkville, Miss.)
March 2ArkansasCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
March 6VanderbiltCentral Bank Center at Rupp Arena (Lexington, Ky.)
March 9at TennesseeThompson-Boling Arena (Knoxville, Tenn.)

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball’s Practice Facility Sees Major Makeover

he Joe Craft Center, after years of casual criticism from Wildcats fans, has finally been given an upgrade.

Published

on

Maybe the weirdest qualm of many that plagued John Calipari’s tenure at Kentucky were the consistent complaints about the team’s practice facility, the Joe Craft Center.

From exaggerated (?) rumors about leaks in the ceiling to general observations made about the court and facilities, fans, especially towards the end of that era, pointed to the Craft Center’s age as one of many signs of the times. Even in spite of occasional, supposed changes now and again.

In only his second year, Mark Pope has seemingly already addressed that complaint — at least to an extent.

Advertisement

The official Kentucky men’s basketball account recently posted a video across all social media platforms of the team during summer practice, featuring and obviously removed Craft Center court.

The court itself has been redone, in addition to the graphics and banners on the wall. Alongside the hanging threads celebrating the program’s eight national championships, a ninth one has been tacked onto the end.

It simply reads: “#9 – The Assignment.” If fans weren’t already excited enough for Coach Pope’s sophomore season, a ninth title banner being fixed in the renovation’s spotlight should send folks through the roof.

It may seem like a small thing, but given the program’s track record in the last few years, it’s the small things that feel the biggest. Mark Pope not only understands the assignment, but he’s making sure his team does, too.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Jasper Johnson Makes Final U19 USA Roster Under Coach Mark Pope

Jasper Johnson has advanced in the U19 USA camp for the second time alongside the nation’s best recruits, and under Mark Pope’s wing.

Published

on

Jasper Johnson advances at U19 camp.
Instagram: @bruhjasperj (UK Athletics)

In a surprisingly relevant development smack dab in the middle of the offseason, Jasper Johnson has yet again advanced in the pool of players participating in the USA U19 camp.

The program, which could be a described as a sort of extension of the Team USA that just took home the gold in 2024, is comprised of some of the nation’s most anticipated talents set to take collegiate courts in the next couple of seasons.

Blue Gets In

Among them is Kentucky native and commit Johnson, and was also incoming Cat Malachi Moreno, before the latter was cut as a result of a mild injury he obtained throughout the camp’s course. Despite Moreno’s exit, his future teammate continues to impress.

Advertisement

Under the wing of Coach Mark Pope, who’s helmed the team in the camp up to this point, Johnson has now made the final cut after multiple roster slashes – he and only 11 other players remain in the minority that will go forward to actually compete for the team in the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, which will take place June 28 through July 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The pre-competition camp serves not only as a trial of play before these athletes disperse to their own respective rosters this fall and next, but for Johnson, as a preview of what it’s like to play under Coach Pope. If his current success is any indicator, Kentucky fans may be in for something special when the pair tackle opposing teams together for the blue and white.

In similar noteworthy news, also attending the event are Taylen Kinney and Tyran Stokes, two Kentucky-born athletes with ties to Kentucky that the program is heavily recruiting. Jasper’s strong performance, combined with Coach Pope’s presence, can only help the Wildcats’ chances on that front, too.

To say the least, Mark Pope has found a way to facilitate Kentucky’s influence far beyond the boundaries of Lexington. He and Johnson, for the time being, will continue to press turn heads on the national stage, and it’s very likely that fans aren’t the only ones paying attention.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Archie Goodwin and Kahlil Whitney Set to Join La Familia This Summer

La Familia continues to add more firepower to the 2025 roster.

Published

on

James Crisp (Left), Adam Hunger (Right) | Associated Press

As the start of the 2025 TBT Tournament inches closer, La Familia has been slowly but surely adding star Wildcats to the roster.

Usually, we see announcements for new additions to the squad roll out on social media in some form, whether it be a post from La Familia’s official accounts or in form of Ansley Almonor’s announcement, which took place on BBN Tonight.

However, this time, Archie Goodwin and Kahlil “The Dragon” Whitney were added to the roster on the TBT website without any announcement, surprising Big Blue Nation as the news leaked and began to circulate.

Advertisement

They were removed from the website afterwards, but as of Thursday, June 19, appear on the website as listed members of the roster.

Goodwin has been an active member for years, highlighted by his semifinals appearance last year where he averaged 13.8 points per game en route.

Whitney is a name that may cause some to shed a tear, with so much potential surrounding the former five-star leading up to his debut. Ultimately, he left the program after appearing in just 18 games for Kentucky.

La Familia is competitive as all get out, shown by chippy play with guys who have nothing to lose but everything to win for the place they call home. Goodwin and Whitney, now added to that list of guys, will look to redeem themselves with one goal in mind. Win.

Advertisement

The official La Familia roster as of June 19:

– Willie Cauley-Stein (2012-15)

– Doron Lamb (2010-12)

– DeAndre Liggins (2008-11)

Advertisement

– Aaron Harrison (2013-15)

– Andrew Harrison (2013-15)

– Ansley Almonor (2024-25)

– Archie Goodwin (2012-13)

Advertisement

– Kahlil Whitney (2019-20)

Continue Reading

Trending