Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats set the tone for the 2025–26 season by putting together what is arguably the toughest nonconference schedule in the country.

Here is a ranking of Kentucky’s marquee nonconference matchups based on their significance to the season and the level of fan excitement.

1. Dec. 20 vs. St. John’s (CBS Sports Classic, Atlanta)

Elder vs. heir, mentor vs. protégé, teacher vs. student — whatever you want to call it, Mark Pope facing his former head coach, Rick Pitino, in “Catlanta” has all the makings of a classic.

Everyone knows the story. Pitino was the head coach at Kentucky from 1989 to 1997, leading the team to the 1996 NCAA championship, where Pope was a key player. When Pitino left, Big Blue Nation was heartbroken. Just a couple of years later, when he took the job for that team down I-64 that plays in red, Kentucky fans were pissed off.

While Pitino and another Kentucky coach — who would later spark similar emotions when leaving for another program that also wears red — played out one of college basketball’s premier rivalries, a lot has changed.

A couple of scandals and vacated titles at Louisville later, the return of a former title-winning captain now at the helm in Lexington has softened Big Blue Nation’s attitude toward Pitino. His return to Rupp Arena for Big Blue Madness last October was the moment that truly mended the relationship. Still, it’s hard to forget what his last visit to Lexington looked like before that — he gave the one-finger salute to Big Blue Nation.

Well, all that sweet talk goes out the window come Dec. 20, as Pope and Pitino face off for the first time — and the elder has a pretty damn good team to teach the youngin’ a lesson.

St. John’s has been very active in the transfer portal, grabbing several high-profile players to bolster its roster. Key additions include Joson Sanon, Oziyah Sellers, Ian Jackson, Dillon Mitchell, and former Wildcat Bryce Hopkins, making things even more interesting.

While the story of Pope vs. Pitino is one of remembering the past, mending relationships, and a shared love for everything big and blue, come late December, it will become nothing more than two coaches looking to win in what will most likely be a top-10 neutral-site matchup. That alone makes it the most important game of the nonconference slate.

2. Nov. 11 @ Louisville

Now this is what the Battle of the Bluegrass should feel like. We’ll leave out the start date and who’s to blame (there’s only one person to blame, and he wears glasses), but Kentucky vs. Louisville is back where it belongs — as one of the premier matchups in all of college basketball, with just a short drive separating the two programs.

For years, Kentucky fans have just wanted Louisville to be good enough to make the rivalry interesting. About 15 years ago, this was arguably the best rivalry in the sport. But with Kentucky hitting a relative program slump and Louisville being forced to vacate titles and win just 12 games over two years, the rivalry lost its edge.

Last year, everything changed. Enter Pat Kelsey — and in just one year, Louisville went from the laughingstock of the ACC to one of the most dangerous teams in the country.

This year, Kelsey and the Cardinals want more. Louisville went all in this offseason, adding Ryan Conwell (Xavier), Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State) and Isaac McKneely (Virginia) via the portal, along with the commitment of five-star point guard Mikel Brown Jr. The NCAA also cleared the eligibility of former Pope player Aly Khalifa, giving Louisville the pieces to seriously contend for not just an ACC title — but beyond.

With all that said, Kentucky vs. Louisville is once again one of the most anticipated contests in college basketball. And thanks to Mr. Kelsey (according to Pope), we get it bright and early in the season as the opening game of the regular season in downtown Louisville.

Can’t wait.

3. Dec. 13 vs. Indiana (at Rupp Arena)

After 13 years, the rivalry is finally back, and for the first time since 2010, Kentucky will host Indiana in the renewal of one of college basketball’s biggest “border war” matchups between two of the sport’s most storied programs.

The Kentucky vs. Indiana basketball rivalry is one of the most storied and emotionally charged matchups in college basketball history — ask John Calipari just how emotional he thought Hoosier fans were after beating Kentucky in the two’s last regular-season matchup.

Big Blue Nation already got to feel some of the Hoosier Hysteria with what felt like an old-school recruiting battle over the talents of Lamar Wilkerson this past portal season — and boy, did the neighbors up north rub that one in Wildcat fans’ faces.

That was just a taste of what the lead-up to and aftermath of facing first-year Hoosiers coach Darian DeVries is going to feel like this fall. While Indiana has fallen on some tough times, DeVries has quietly built a Big Ten contender in Bloomington.

With the additions of his son Tucker, Reed Bailey, the aforementioned Wilkerson, Tayton Conerway and Nick Dorn, DeVries and the Hoosiers look to come to Lexington and make a statement in year one under the new regime — while Pope and the Wildcats look to defend their home court against a program that has nowhere else to go but up.

Surely, no matter what happens, discourse on social media will be very civilized, right?

4. Dec. 2 vs. North Carolina (ACC/SEC Challenge, at Rupp Arena)

While many questions surround the future of the program in Chapel Hill, it will still be a clash of blue bloods at Rupp Arena as Kentucky hosts Hubert Davis and North Carolina in the 2025–26 SEC/ACC Challenge, marking the Tar Heels’ first visit to Lexington since the 2014–15 season.

It’s not often Kentucky hosts a powerhouse program like UNC. Add in the fact that a certain Caleb Wilson — who picked Carolina blue over Kentucky — will be visiting town, and it’s shaping up to be a fun one in Lexington and one that will be of utmost importance.

5. Nov. 18 vs. Michigan State (Champions Classic, Madison Square Garden)

Tom Izzo. Madison Square Garden. National TV. It doesn’t get much bigger.

Michigan State at the Mecca of basketball will be a huge early test and résumé booster in a game that will command true primetime attention.

Looking to be a contender in the Big Ten next year, Kentucky has an early-season opportunity to announce itself to the college basketball world — and there’s no better place to do it.

Pope vs. the old master will surely be cinematic.

6. Dec. 5 vs. Gonzaga (Neutral, Nashville)

Simply put, beating a program like the Zags — who bring national credibility and star power, along with a coach like Mark Few who oozes consistency — is something to be very proud of.

This neutral-site matchup in Nashville automatically gives the game a pseudo-tournament feel, against a team and coach who have historically been very successful in such settings.

Gonzaga will most likely be ranked anywhere from the top 10 to 20 at any point next season, meaning a win in this game will no doubt be a strong résumé builder in a schedule littered with such opportunities.

Injuries suck.

Nearly three days after the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft, former Kentucky Wildcat Jaxson Robinson remains an undrafted free agent.

Robinson followed Mark Pope from BYU to Kentucky, but his 2024-25 season ended prematurely after he sustained a wrist injury that ultimately required surgery in early March.

The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for both Robinson and the Wildcats. In 24 games, he averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 28.1 minutes per game. He shot 46.2% from the field and 45.7% from 3-point range in SEC play.

Simply put, he was hooping.

Big Blue Nation will always wonder “what if” when it comes to Robinson’s health entering the NCAA Tournament — and what Kentucky missed in his absence. The same goes for Robinson. What if he had been able to play a key role in a deep March run? What would that have done for his draft stock? Could he have become a star?

We’ll never know. But one thing is certain: injuries suck.

Whoever decides to take a chance on Robinson will be getting a high-level shooter with a 7-foot wingspan and solid athleticism. He first earned attention from NBA scouts as the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year at BYU. That season, he also received honorable mention All-Big 12 honors, averaging 14.2 points per game off the bench and helping BYU reach the NCAA Tournament.

Before transferring to BYU in 2022, Robinson began his college career at Texas A&M, where he played in 14 games as a true freshman and averaged 2.6 points. He then transferred to Arkansas, appearing in 16 games with four starts and averaging 3.4 points per game.

Despite his experience and talent, the veteran guard remains on the market. He won’t be joining Koby Brea and Amari Williams as Kentucky’s selections in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he could still find his place in the league, possibly joining fellow undrafted teammates Lamont Butler (Atlanta Hawks) and Andrew Carr (Portland Trail Blazers), who have already signed deals.

Had it not been for his late-season wrist injury, it’s likely Robinson would have heard his name called on draft night.

But life works in mysterious ways. And who knows — maybe this is a blessing in disguise for the beginning of Robinson’s professional career.

Fan-favorite big man (and official Weetabix sponsor) Amari Williams has officially made it to the big leagues, taken by the Boston Celtics with the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, via a trade with the Orlando Magic.

The selection makes Williams the second Wildcat to be scooped up from this year’s pool, following Koby Brea being picked by the Phoenix Suns just five picks earlier at the 41st spot. From Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team, two transfer athletes (thus far) in their last year of eligibility have achieved next-level dreams by way of the blue and white.

Williams, who averaged 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game during his lone season in Lexington, will look to aid Boston in filling their recently vacant five-spot, left by the recently traded Kristaps Porzingis.

As Wildcat fans surely know, not only can Williams battle with the best of them in the paint, but he can run the floor as efficiently as just about any guard, too. His versatility and sizable frame ensure a high ceiling in the NBA and, despite not every draft board seeing him selected, the league champions two years removed made the call when it mattered.

Hailing overseas from Nottingham, England, and spending his first four years of college basketball at the University of Drexel, Williams’ success is a testament not only to Kentucky Basketball’s immaculate tradition, but to his own incredible work ethic and intangible ability.

Cats fans will be sure to follow and support their point-center to the next level, as they always do. Go be great, Amari – all of BBN has your back.