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Which teams are involved in Kentucky's annual MTE in 2025?

Related Topics: Mark Pope, Kentucky

Mark Pope’s first full season at the helm will start with a brand-new event at Rupp Arena — and a reminder that even “buy games” can get tricky if you’re not locked in.

On Monday, Kentucky men’s basketball announced its complete 2025-26 schedule, headlined by the inaugural BBN United Tipoff Classic. The Wildcats will open the year with three home games in the event: Nicholls State (Nov. 4), Valparaiso (Nov. 7) and Eastern Illinois (Nov. 14). It will mark the program’s first-ever meetings with Nicholls and Eastern Illinois, and just the third all-time matchup with Valpo.