The Kentucky Wildcats will begin their second season under head coach Kenny Brooks with a home matchup against in-state foe Morehead State.
Set for Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, the season opener will take place at Historic Memorial Coliseum, as announced by Brooks on Wednesday. Details on game time, TV coverage, and ticket availability—both season and single-game—will be shared at a later date.
Kentucky holds a dominant 33-4 advantage in the all-time series against Morehead State, dating back to their first meeting on Feb. 10, 1975. In games played at Memorial Coliseum, the Wildcats lead 23-1. UK has won the last 16 matchups, a streak that began with a 106-71 home win on Feb. 20, 1990. The most recent meeting was a 73-48 Kentucky win on Nov. 11, 2022.
After a stellar debut season, Brooks returns as the reigning Sporting News National Coach of the Year. His 2025-26 roster features 11 players—seven returners, three transfers, and McDonald’s All-American freshman Kaelyn Carroll. Among the returners are two players returning from injury: 6-foot-1 guards Jordan Obi and Dominka Paurová. Key contributors like SEC Defensive Player of the Year Clara Strack, Teonni Key, and Amelia Hassett are also back after anchoring UK’s rebounding and shot-blocking efforts.
In 2024-25, Brooks led Kentucky to a 23-8 record and a fourth-place SEC finish (11-5), tying the late Terry Hall as the fastest coach in program history to reach 20 wins. UK climbed as high as No. 8 in the AP Poll, notched five ranked wins, and earned a No. 4 seed in both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments, ultimately leading the nation in blocks per game (7.0) and setting or tying 12 school records.
Star point guard Georgia Amoore capped her lone season with the Wildcats by earning consensus All-America honors and several major awards before being selected No. 6 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics. Strack also earned national recognition as a top-10 finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award and was named to both the All-SEC Second Team and the SEC All-Defensive Team.
Off the court, the program saw a surge in fan support, selling out reserved season tickets before the season and selling out four home games—including the final three—prior to tipoff. Academically, the team posted a 3.59 GPA in Fall 2024, the program’s highest in a decade outside the COVID-affected Spring 2020 term.
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Mark Pope Calls for Expanded Schedule and In-Game Rule Change for 2025–26 Season
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is advocating for notable changes to college basketball ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Speaking out during the early offseason, Pope—one of the highest-paid coaches in the sport—voiced support for two major NCAA rule adjustments: increasing the number of games teams are allowed to play each season and adopting the NBA’s rule that allows teams to advance the ball after a timeout.
Pope praised the NCAA’s recent decision to allow exhibition games against Division I opponents, but believes that’s just the beginning.
“We need more games,” Pope said during an appearance on The Sideline with Andy Katz. “I’d love to see the schedule expanded to 40 games, or at least 35. With rosters changing so frequently these days, teams need more opportunities to build chemistry and reach a high level of play. More games would also give fans a better chance to connect with the players throughout a single season.”
Pope also pointed to upcoming revenue-sharing models as another reason for expansion, saying more games would offer student-athletes increased earning potential.
“I think college basketball is headed in that direction,” he said. “I don’t see any downside.”
In addition to scheduling changes, Pope is also pushing for the NCAA to adopt a rule currently used in the NBA: allowing teams to inbound the ball from the frontcourt after a timeout in the final two minutes of regulation or overtime. Under current college rules, teams must inbound from under their basket.
“If I had to pick one change I’m most excited about, it’s this one,” said Pope. “Yes, it might slow the game down a bit, but it adds so much excitement and strategy. With just a second or two left, being able to advance the ball gives teams a real shot at making a play, and fans love those moments
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Jasper Johnson’s Electrifying Performance at the Iverson Classic Signals a Bright Future for Kentucky Basketball
Big Blue Nation Has a New Star: Jasper Johnson’s Electrifying Performance at the Iverson Classic Signals a Bright Future for Kentucky Basketball
As the dust settles on another whirlwind offseason in Lexington, the spotlight has understandably been focused on Kentucky’s explosive transfer class. Under the watchful eye of new head coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats have landed several high-profile veterans ready to make an immediate impact. But amid all the buzz around those headline-grabbing names, one rising freshman quietly stole the show this past weekend and Big Blue Nation should be buzzing.
Enter Jasper Johnson, a 6-foot-4 guard from right here in Kentucky, whose dazzling performance at the prestigious Iverson Classic announced to the college basketball world: the future of Kentucky basketball is already arriving. If you missed his electrifying night, it’s time to sit up and pay attention because Johnson didn’t just participate he dominated.
A Star Among the Nation’s Best
The Iverson Classic is no ordinary high school all-star game. It’s a showcase packed with the nation’s elite recruits, players destined for stardom at the collegiate and professional levels. Yet, even surrounded by such top-tier talent, Jasper Johnson stood out as a true difference-maker. Dropping 17 points, pulling down five rebounds, and dishing out four assists, Johnson gave a glimpse of a multi-dimensional game that’s both polished and powerful.
But statistics only tell part of the story. It was the style and substance behind those numbers that truly impressed. Johnson glided through defenses with an effortless grace, attacking the rim with authority and sinking threes with a smooth, confident stroke. His passing displayed a court vision and poise rare for a player still fresh out of high school. One viral moment, captured just before tipoff, showed Johnson sharing a candid exchange with NBA legend Allen Iverson himself an electrifying interaction that perfectly captured the buzz surrounding this young star.
This wasn’t just a highlight reel performance; it was a statement. Johnson played like someone who understands the bright lights ahead and is ready not just to survive but to shine.
The Quiet Crown Jewel of Mark Pope’s First Recruiting Class
In a recruiting cycle filled with big names and headline-grabbing transfers, Jasper Johnson might not have commanded the loudest headlines, but make no mistake he is a massive win for Kentucky basketball. A Kentucky native who could have easily ventured elsewhere, Johnson’s commitment is more than a homecoming; it’s a testament to the vision Mark Pope and his coaching staff have for the program’s future.
Originally pegged as a prime target for Alabama and coach Nate Oats, Johnson’s recruitment was a carefully orchestrated effort. Kentucky’s staff worked diligently behind the scenes, flipping what seemed like a sure commitment into an electrifying pledge to stay home. In September 2024, the announcement sent ripples through the college basketball community: Jasper Johnson was officially a Wildcat.
His ESPN ranking at No. 18 nationally only scratches the surface of his potential. Johnson combines length, athleticism, and a silky-smooth left-handed jump shot with instincts that speak to a mature basketball IQ. At Beva Peveler Elite High School, his highlight-worthy plays aren’t just flash, they’re the product of a calm and composed demeanor that suggests he’s ready for the big stage.
What’s most exciting? Johnson’s versatility. He can take over a game when the team needs a scorer or seamlessly fit into a supporting role, facilitating offense and providing defense. In today’s college basketball landscape, that kind of adaptability is invaluable.
A Loaded Roster, But Minutes Are Waiting
Kentucky’s roster in 2025-26 will be deep, dynamic, and full of experienced scorers, meaning that Johnson may not start on opening night. But that should be seen as a positive, not a limitation. With a veteran backcourt already in place, Johnson’s early role off the bench will allow him to acclimate, learn, and grow within one of the nation’s most storied programs.
Typically, a player of Johnson’s caliber would be expected to start right away. Instead, he’s entering a reloaded Wildcats squad with length, skill, and energy across every position a perfect environment for a young star to develop. Mark Pope’s vision for a fast-paced, high-energy style of play aligns perfectly with Johnson’s game: high-flying, efficient, and controlled, a combination that promises exciting moments throughout the season.
Whether he bursts onto the scene in key conference games or steadily carves out a vital role early on, Johnson’s impact will be felt by fans and opponents alike.
More Than Hype: A Future Kentucky Legend in the Making
The Iverson Classic was a pivotal milestone for Johnson, but it’s far from the peak of his journey. Each game, each practice, each moment with the Wildcats will sharpen his skills and build his confidence. Big Blue Nation is witnessing not just a promising freshman but a potential star who could define the program’s next era.
With the legendary Rupp Arena waiting to welcome him and the 2025-26 season fast approaching, Kentucky fans have every reason to be excited. While the transfers might headline the offseason chatter, Jasper Johnson is proving he’s more than just another recruit he might be the crown jewel of this class and the heartbeat of Kentucky’s future.
So, Big Blue Nation, get ready. Because Jasper Johnson is coming, and he’s about to light up Lexington in ways we’ve only dreamed of.
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