LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky men's basketball program announced seven home nonconference games to its 2026-27 schedule Monday, with the season opener at Rupp Arena against Manhattan on Nov. 3 marking the program's first-ever matchup with the Jaspers.

The additional home dates include games against James Madison, Northern Arizona, Grambling State, Bryant, Sacred Heart and Gardner-Webb. Television designations and tip times will be announced at a later date. With these seven games, Kentucky has now announced 12 nonconference contests for the 2026-27 season, the third under head coach Mark Pope.

Five first-time nonconference opponents will visit Lexington, along with Gardner-Webb, which marks only the second meeting between the programs. Among the newcomers is James Madison, whose head coach Preston Spradlin was part of Kentucky's staff from 2009-2014 before becoming an assistant and then head coach at Morehead State. The teams met once during the 2020-21 season, with Kentucky winning 81-45.

Kentucky returns five players from its NCAA Tournament Round of 32 squad last season, including Braydon Hawthorne, Malachi Moreno, Trent Noah, Reece Potter and Kam Williams. Moreno, an All-Southeastern Conference Freshman Team selection, led the team in rebounds per game, blocks per game and field goal percentage last season.

The roster also includes six notable transfers headlined by Milan Momcilovic, who led the nation in 3-point shooting at 48.7 percent while averaging 16.9 points for Iowa State. Also joining the Wildcats are backcourt players Zoom Diallo, Jerone Morton and Alex Wilkins, along with frontcourt additions Franck Kepnang and Justin McBride. Three college basketball newcomers round out the roster: Zyon Hawthorne, Ousmane N'Diaye and Mason Williams.

Those interested in new season tickets are encouraged to enter the season-ticket lottery, though availability is limited due to the high renewal rate among season ticket holders.