2025-26 Kentucky basketball SEC gauntlet
With a Sweet 16 run already in his back pocket, Mark Pope is ready for year two—and the just released 2025-26 SEC schedule won’t give him a break. Kentucky will face everything from rebuilding squads to national title contenders. Here’s how the conference slate stacks up from most winnable to most difficult, based on roster talent, coaching stability, and home-court edge.
1. Vanderbilt (Home): Vandy ranked 96th in KenPom last year and didn’t make notable offseason moves. Kentucky blew them out by 21 in Rupp last season. This is the layup.
2. Missouri (Home): A solid but beatable team. The Tigers lack depth, and Kentucky’s athleticism will overwhelm them at home.
3. Vanderbilt (Away): A sleepy gym, but the Commodores still won’t have the firepower to keep up with Pope’s squad with some Memorial Magic.
4. Oklahoma (Home): Two nail-biters last season, both wins for Kentucky. With a better bench and more offensive weapons, this should be more comfortable.
5. Mississippi State (Home): Always tough defensively, but Pope’s passing system works well against physical teams.
6. Georgia (Home): The Bulldogs are improving, but Kentucky’s upgraded perimeter shooting will be too much.
7. Florida (Home): Yes, they’re the reigning champs. But they lost several key contributors, notably Denzel Aberdeen, now in blue and white.
8. LSU (Away): Big win last year. Even on the road, Kentucky has too much length and pace.
9. Ole Miss (Home): Dangerous, but Kentucky will control tempo and outshoot the Rebels and make Travis Perry wish he'd stayed home.
10. South Carolina (Away): This one gets tricky. Physical team, hostile crowd, and close games in the past. Still, winnable.
11. Texas (Home): High ceiling, but the Rupp effect keeps Kentucky in control.
12. Tennessee (Home): Pope swept the Vols last year during the regular season, but the Vols got the win the NCAA tournament. Rupp will be rocking, but it won't be easy.
13. Arkansas (Away): John Calipari’s emotional revenge game, but I think Mark Pope will be borrowing some of Mark Stoops' motivation for this one.
14. Florida (Away): This is a high-risk matchup. Florida will want revenge, and Gainesville is no joke.
15. Texas A&M (Away): You just never know what to expect from a first year head coach in the SEC. Could be easy, could be crazy difficult. We think it's going to be the latter.
16. Alabama (Away): Bama swept the Cats in embarrassing fashion last year. It’s personal, but still a tall task in Tuscaloosa to start the SEC slate.
17. Auburn (Away): One of the SEC’s top team heading into the year. No shame in losing here as Auburn is tough at home.
18. Tennessee (Away): The Vols defend like maniacs at home. This one could be a rock fight and a loss.
And there you have it, all 18 games ranked from easiest to hardest. Where did we miss? Let us know.