(WKYT) – Kentucky men’s basketball announced seven home nonconference games for the 2026-27 season on Monday.
The Wildcats will open the season at home against Manhattan on Nov. 3. It will be the first meeting between the two programs.
Additional home games include James Madison on Nov. 6, Northern Arizona on Nov. 13, Grambling State on Nov. 16, Bryant on Dec. 8, Sacred Heart on Dec. 22 and Gardner-Webb on Dec. 28.
Television designations and tip times will be announced at a later date.
With the seven games, Kentucky has announced 12 nonconference contests for the 2026-27 season, the third under head coach Mark Pope.
First-time matchups
Kentucky will face six first-time opponents: Manhattan, James Madison, Northern Arizona, Grambling State, Bryant and Sacred Heart. The game against Gardner-Webb will mark the second meeting between the programs.
James Madison is coached by Preston Spradlin, who was part of Kentucky’s staff from 2009-2014. Spradlin later became an assistant coach and then head coach at Morehead State before taking the James Madison job.
Spradlin and Morehead State traveled to Rupp Arena for the start of the 2020-21 season. Kentucky won 81-45 in the only prior meeting between Spradlin and his former program.