Kentucky to Host Purdue in Marquee Exhibition Game at Rupp Arena

Mark your calendars: on October 24th, college basketball fans are in for a treat as the Kentucky Wildcats host the Purdue Boilermakers for a high-stakes exhibition game at Rupp Arena. Though the result won’t count toward either team’s regular season record, the matchup is packed with intrigue, talent, and anticipation.

This exhibition pits two of the sport’s most storied programs against each other in a rare preseason clash. Kentucky, under the leadership of second-year head coach Mark Pope, will look to make an early statement with a retooled roster that blends returning standouts with one of the top transfer classes in the country. Fans are eager to see how Pope’s up-tempo, three-point-heavy style meshes with this year’s mix of talent.

On the other side, Purdue enters the 2025-26 season as a perennial powerhouse in the Big Ten, with head coach Matt Painter continuing to build on the program’s recent success. The Boilermakers are known for their disciplined approach, elite big-man play, and strong defensive identity—elements that could challenge Kentucky’s new-look lineup right out of the gate.

Though it’s technically an exhibition, don’t expect either side to treat it like a throwaway. This is a measuring-stick game that gives both coaching staffs an early read on their teams’ strengths and weaknesses. For Kentucky, it’s also a chance to test themselves against a Final Four-caliber opponent in front of a packed Rupp Arena crowd.

The matchup adds yet another layer of excitement to what’s already shaping up to be a loaded non-conference slate for the Wildcats, including games against Michigan State, Gonzaga, Louisville, Indiana, and St. John’s.

One thing’s for sure: October 24th will feel a lot like March in Lexington.

All Three of Duke’s 2026 Basketball Targets Remain Top-10 Prospects

The trio of high school juniors holding 2026 Duke basketball offers continues to rank among the nation’s top 10 prospects.

Brandon McCoy Jr., a 6-foot-4 guard from St. John Bosco High School in California, was previously the No. 1 overall recruit in both the On3 and 247Sports Composite rankings when he visited Duke last November. While he still leads the composite rankings, McCoy recently dropped to No. 3 in the updated On3 rankings. Tyran Stokes of Notre Dame High School (CA) took over the top spot, with McCoy’s teammate Christian Collins rising to second.

Meanwhile, Duke remains firmly in the mix for the other two top-ranked juniors it has offered: Jordan Smith Jr., a five-star guard from Paul VI Catholic (VA), and Miikka Muurinen, a five-star forward from Compass Prep (AZ). Muurinen now ranks No. 7 overall, and Smith—who visited Duke the same weekend as McCoy—is listed at No. 8, per On3’s latest update.