The Kentucky men’s basketball team has announced two exhibition games for its 2024-25 season. The Wildcats will face Kentucky Wesleyan on October 23 and Minnesota State Mankato on October 29, both at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Game times and television details will be revealed later.
Upcoming Events:
- Big Blue Madness: Kentucky recently announced the return of Big Blue Madness to Rupp Arena on October 11.
- Blue-White Preseason Experience: Set for October 18 at Historic Memorial Coliseum, this event will feature intrasquad scrimmages with both the men’s and women’s teams. Additional information will be released soon.
Exhibition History:
- Kentucky’s Exhibition Record: The Wildcats hold a 152-12 all-time record in exhibition games and are on a 31-game winning streak. The game against Kentucky Wesleyan will be the first under new head coach Mark Pope.
- Kentucky Wesleyan Matchup: This will be the third exhibition meeting between the two teams, with previous matchups in 2004 and 2019. The teams also faced off 11 times in regular-season play from 1910-1939. Last season, the Panthers finished with a 21-9 overall record and a 15-5 conference mark.
- Minnesota State Mankato Matchup: The reigning 2024 Division II National Champions, Minnesota State Mankato, will face a Division I opponent for the first time since the 2019-20 season. The Mavericks ended last season with a 35-2 record, clinching the national title on a last-second 3-pointer.
2024-25 Roster:
- Veteran Presence: Kentucky’s roster includes a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, featuring six fifth-year players, one senior, one junior, one sophomore, and three freshmen. The veterans have combined for 845 collegiate games and nearly 8,000 career points, with notable players like Ansley Almonor, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams all surpassing 1,000 career points. The team has collectively made 1,033 career 3-pointers at a 37.0% rate.
- Defensive Standouts: Butler and Williams were both named their respective leagues’ defensive player of the year. Koby Brea and Jaxson Robinson have been recognized as sixth men of the year in their conferences, while Almonor received the most improved player honor. Brandon Garrison is a former McDonald’s All-American.
- Notable Transfers: Kerr Kriisa, who has played in 99 career games and made 238 3-pointers, joins the Wildcats along with Otega Oweh, Oklahoma’s second-leading scorer last season.
- Promising Freshmen: The freshman class includes Travis Perry and Trent Noah, both from Kentucky, and Collin Chandler, a former top-35 recruit from the class of 2022. Perry is Kentucky’s all-time leading scorer, and Noah set a Sweet 16 state record with 19 3-pointers in a single run.
Season Ticket Information:
- Renewal Deadline: Season ticket renewals for the 2024-25 Kentucky men’s basketball season are now available. The renewal deadline is Thursday, August 29.
This season’s exhibition games and upcoming events offer an exciting preview of what promises to be a dynamic and competitive year for Kentucky basketball under Coach Mark Pope.
