Rupp Arena to Host Georgetown in Blockbuster Exhibition

Rupp Arena to Host Georgetown in Blockbuster Exhibition as Kentucky Gears Up for Star-Studded 2025-26 Season

The Bluegrass is about to be buzzing.

The Kentucky Wildcats are adding yet another marquee showdown to their preseason schedule, as the Georgetown Hoyas will visit Rupp Arena on October 30 for a high-profile exhibition matchup that promises to light up the early college basketball calendar.

Thanks to newly adopted NCAA rules allowing Division I programs to face off in the preseason, Big Blue Nation will now get a sneak peek at what may be one of the deepest Kentucky teams in recent memory — and the hype is only growing. This clash with Georgetown joins another headline-making exhibition already scheduled for October 24, when national power Purdue rolls into Lexington.

While these contests won’t count toward official records or stats, the stakes are high in terms of national buzz and team momentum.

A Clash of Blue Bloods

Georgetown, under the direction of Ed Cooley in his third year, is steadily rebuilding its once-dominant program. After a rough 9-23 debut season, Cooley guided the Hoyas to an 18-16 turnaround last year. Leading the charge is junior guard Malik Mack, who brings back a team-high 12.9 points per game and 59 made threes at a 35.5% clip.

But the spotlight in Rupp this fall will belong to Mark Pope and the new-look Wildcats — a team coming off its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2019 and fully loaded with returning talent and elite newcomers.

Reloaded and Ready

Returning to the fold are key contributors like Collin Chandler, Brandon Garrison, and Trent Noah — all of whom were instrumental in last season’s 24-12 run that featured wins over an NCAA-record-tying eight AP Top 15 opponents. Chandler caught fire late in the year, hitting 52.2% from deep over his final six games — all against NCAA Tournament teams. Garrison provided steady frontcourt production, while Noah delivered a breakthrough performance in UK’s upset of No. 5 Tennessee.

But the real buzz surrounds Kentucky’s transfer haul, one of the best in the nation.

Among the new faces:

• Denzel Aberdeen (Florida) – A 2025 National Champion, deadly from long range in spot starts.
• Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama) – Physical, athletic, and a double-double threat.
• Jaland Lowe (Pitt) – An all-ACC performer who led the Panthers in scoring, assists, and steals.
• Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State) – A finalist for National Defensive Player of the Year.
• Kam Williams (Tulane) – AAC All-Freshman standout and rim protector with shooting touch.
• Reece Potter (Miami of Ohio) – Lexington native and proven stretch big man.

Add in freshmen like McDonald’s All-American Malachi Moreno, sharpshooter Jasper Johnson, and elite European forward Andrija Jelavić, and the Wildcats boast a roster that blends youth, experience, skill, and athleticism — all under the energetic vision of Pope.

All Eyes on October

With Georgetown and Purdue set to test this squad early, Kentucky fans won’t have to wait until November to see what this group is capable of. These exhibitions offer the perfect stage to showcase depth, chemistry, and star potential.

And if early buzz is any indication, don’t be surprised if Rupp is sold out — twice — before the season officially begins.

So circle the dates. Because come October, the Cats are back. And they’re bringing some serious firepower with them.