The calendar says football season is 18 days away, but Kentucky basketball fans just got their own reason to start the countdown. With Monday’s announcement of the new BBN United Tipoff Classic, the Wildcats have finalized their 2025-26 schedule — and it’s loaded with marquee matchups, blue-blood showdowns, and a few potential trap games.
The year begins with back-to-back exhibition games at Rupp Arena: Purdue on October 24 and Georgetown on October 30. From there, things get real quickly.
Non-conference fireworks
Kentucky will open the regular season November 4 against Nicholls State in the inaugural BBN United Tipoff Classic, followed by Valparaiso on November 7 and Eastern Illinois on November 14.