College basketball fans, your salvation is coming. As football season enters its often-disappointing final act for many, the hardwood is preparing to deliver a spectacle. While Kentucky has marquee matchups against Louisville and Michigan State early on, there is one day that every single fan of the sport needs to circle in red ink.
That day is Saturday, December 20th, 2025.
A wall-to-wall basketball marathon
Get your holiday shopping done early, because the sport's biggest names are set to collide in a non-stop showcase of talent and drama. The day is loaded with matchups that could all be Final Four previews.
- Purdue vs. Auburn in Indianapolis will see two national title favorites square off.
- Houston vs. Arkansas takes last year's runner-up to Brooklyn to face Coach Calipari's Razorbacks.
- Arizona vs. San Diego State is a massive West Coast battle in Phoenix.
- North Carolina vs. Ohio State will light up Atlanta.
- Duke vs. Texas Tech brings blue-blood basketball to the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.
And that is just the warm-up to maybe the biggest story of the day.
The master vs. the apprentice
As if that weren't enough, the day features what might be the most personal and anticipated game of the entire non-conference schedule. In a storyline straight from a Hollywood script, Rick Pitino will lead his St. John's Red Storm against his former player and old school, Mark Pope and Kentucky, in Atlanta. The battle between the legendary master and his successful student will be must-see TV.
So clear your schedule. This pre-Christmas Saturday is a gift to all basketball fans, promising a day of epic clashes from noon until night.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time, he spends time with his family, and watching Premier League soccer. Psalm 121:7-8. #UpTheAlbion