Mark Pope’s first season at Kentucky already featured a heavy non-conference slate with bluebloods like Gonzaga, Michigan State, and Louisville. Now, add five more names to the schedule — and while a few may not grab headlines, the matchups come with plenty of storylines.
The headliner? Indiana. The heart-warmer? John Pelphrey.
And every one of them is another piece of the puzzle for how Pope’s team will sharpen itself before SEC play.
🏀 The new additions
- Nov. 21 – Loyola University Maryland
- Nov. 26 – Tennessee Tech (coached by John Pelphrey)
- Dec. 9 – North Carolina Central
- Dec. 13 – Indiana
- Dec. 23 – Bellarmine
These games join a non-conference schedule that already includes:
- Nov. 11- @Louisville
- Nov. 18 Michigan State (Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden)
- Dec.5 Gonzaga (Nashville)
- Dec. 20 St. John's (State Farm Arena, Atlanta, CBS Classic)
That’s a blend of tune-ups, tournament tests, and traditional rivalries — with just the right dose of nostalgia.
🔥 Indiana is back — finally
This is the one fans have been waiting for. Kentucky vs. Indiana — regular season — in Lexington.
The last time the two programs met in the regular season was the 2011-12 season, when Christian Watford hit that shot in Bloomington that they won't shut up about.
Indiana hasn’t visited Rupp Arena since 2010-11, and Kentucky fans will be itching to pack the place. Pope has made it clear he wants marquee matchups — and this one checks every box.
All-time, Kentucky leads the series 32-25.
💙 Welcome home, John Pelphrey
While Indiana might sell tickets, John Pelphrey will tug at the heartstrings.
The Kentucky Athletics Hall of Famer — and one of "The Unforgettables" — returns to Rupp as the head coach of Tennessee Tech on Nov. 26. Pelphrey wore the blue and white with pride from 1988 to 1992 and posted a career line of:
- 114 games
- 11.0 points per game
- 4.1 rebounds
- 2.9 assists
- 45.6 FG%, 37.0 3PT%, 76.5 FT%
It will be the first time Kentucky has faced Tennessee Tech since the 2007-08 season. UK is 5-0 all-time in the series, all at home.
Don’t expect the game to be close — but do expect the crowd to stand and cheer for one of its own.
📌 What else Is new?
Loyola (Md.) visits Rupp on Nov. 21, a rematch of a 2011-12 matchup Kentucky won 87-63 during its title run. The Ramblers will try again, but they’re stepping into a loaded environment.
North Carolina Central makes its first-ever appearance on Kentucky’s schedule on Dec. 9. The Eagles have been a tough MEAC team historically, but this is new ground for both programs.
Bellarmine, the small-but-skilled in-state program from Louisville, returns to Rupp on Dec. 23. These two last met in 2022-23, with Kentucky winning 60-41 in a game that tested patience — Bellarmine famously refused to shoot early in possessions, forcing UK to defend deep into the clock.
🔍 More than just warmups
These might look like “buy games” — but they often serve as barometers for maturity and focus.
Loyola, Bellarmine, and NCCU aren’t going to dominate the SEC Network graphics, but they are the kind of opponents that show whether your team is locked in. Great teams don’t just win these games — they handle them professionally, with energy and discipline.
And with so many new faces on this Kentucky roster, every rep matters.
More opponents will still be announced, but even now, Pope’s first schedule has the balance Kentucky fans love: high-stakes clashes, classic rivalries, and sentimental moments that make the Rupp Arena experience unforgettable.