# Kentucky Basketball Finalizes 2026-27 Schedule With Three Exhibition Games **Published:** 2026-08-28T14:00:39.000Z **Source:** [UK Athletics](https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/08/28/complete-2026-27-kentucky-mens-basketball-schedule-finalized/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/kentucky-basketball-finalizes-2026-27-schedule-with-three-exhibition-games LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky men's basketball team's 2026-27 schedule is now complete, featuring three exhibition games and a slate of high-profile matchups that will test the Wildcats throughout the season, according to [an announcement by UK Athletics](https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/08/28/complete-2026-27-kentucky-mens-basketball-schedule-finalized/). The Wildcats will host their third exhibition game against UCF on Oct. 28 at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, finalizing what represents a new NCAA rule allowing three preseason contests. Head coach Mark Pope's team will also face Little Rock on Oct. 16 and Texas Tech on Oct. 23 before opening the regular season against Manhattan on Nov. 3. "Including the exhibition matchups, Kentucky is slated to play a total of 22 home games this season," according to the athletics department announcement. The schedule includes matchups against 15 NCAA Tournament teams from last year during the regular season, plus tournament qualifiers Texas Tech and UCF in the exhibition portion. The non-conference slate features significant early-season tests, including a [Champions Classic appearance against Kansas on Nov. 10 at the United Center in Chicago](https://espnevents.com/press/champions-classic/state-farm-champions-classic-returns-to-chicago-in-2026/) and a matchup against North Carolina at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 19. The Wildcats will face Louisville at home on Dec. 12 and Indiana in Indianapolis on Nov. 20. A [notably challenging Southeastern Conference schedule follows](https://www.si.com/college/kentucky/men-s-basketball/kentucky-basketball-coach-mark-pope-shares-his-biggest-concern-with-his-team), with Kentucky playing 12 games against teams ranked inside ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25, including six at home. Five of those 12 matchups pit the Wildcats against top-10 teams. The regular season runs through March 6 at Florida. Pope will return five players from last year's NCAA Tournament Round of 32 squad: guards Braydon Hawthorne, Malachi Moreno, Trent Noah, Reece Potter and Kam Williams. Moreno, an All-SEC Freshman Team selection, started 30 games as a first-year center last season. Fans interested in season tickets can enter the Kentucky men's basketball season ticket lottery at [UKathletics.com/MBBTix](https://ukathletics.com/2022-23-kentucky-mens-basketball-season-ticket-lottery/), while those seeking premium seating options can contact the UK Athletics K Fund Office at (859) 257-6300 or kfund@uky.edu. ## Sources - [UK Athletics](https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/08/28/complete-2026-27-kentucky-mens-basketball-schedule-finalized/) - [2026 State Farm Champions Classic details](https://espnevents.com/press/champions-classic/state-farm-champions-classic-returns-to-chicago-in-2026/) - [Mark Pope's thoughts on the 2026-27 roster and challenges](https://www.si.com/college/kentucky/men-s-basketball/kentucky-basketball-coach-mark-pope-shares-his-biggest-concern-with-his-team) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from UK Athletics, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/08/28/complete-2026-27-kentucky-mens-basketball-schedule-finalized/.