In a time when most coaches use their platforms to complain about the NCAA and big-picture decisions that are made to impact collegiate athletics, Mark Pope wants to give credit where it’s due: Kentucky being able to host No. 1 Purdue inside Rupp Arena is awesome.
Until now, exhibitions were approved through a waiver process with proceeds donated to a charity or conducted in private without official scoring, otherwise known as “secret scrimmages” with no fans or media. Then the Division I Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee announced back in January that teams could play up to two preseason exhibition games against any four-year school — including DI teams — starting ahead of the 2025-26 season.