Clash in the Cathedral: Georgetown Hoyas Set to Storm Rupp Arena for Preseason Battle with Kentucky
Basketball fans, mark your calendars — October 30th is about to bring the heat.
The Georgetown Hoyas are stepping into one of college basketball’s most iconic arenas for a high-stakes preseason exhibition game against the Kentucky Wildcats inside the legendary Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center in Lexington, KY. Time and broadcast details are still pending, but one thing’s for sure: this isn’t just any exhibition — it’s a tone-setter.
Thanks to updated NCAA regulations allowing Division I programs to schedule preseason exhibitions like this, both programs are seizing the chance to test themselves under the lights before the regular season tips off.
A Historical Rivalry, Reignited
Though not a long-standing rivalry, there’s history here. The Hoyas and Wildcats have clashed just twice officially, with Georgetown winning both encounters — including a memorable 1984 Final Four showdown, where Patrick Ewing’s crew held Kentucky to just 40 points en route to the national title. Before that, they met in 1922, with Georgetown again taking the W, 28–23.
This October’s matchup might be a friendly, but the stakes feel real — especially with Ed Cooley entering Year Three at the helm of the Hoyas and looking to make a statement ahead of what fans hope is a rejuvenated campaign.
Hoyas Seeking Growth, Wildcats Bringing Firepower
The Hoyas will be facing a Kentucky squad loaded with returning weapons, elite transfers, and top-ranked recruits. Mark Pope, a Wildcat alum, is entering his second season after leading the team to a 24–12 record and a Sweet 16 appearancein the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
Here’s a snapshot of what the Hoyas are up against:
🔁 Key Returners:
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Collin Chandler – Knocked down 52.2% of his threes vs. NCAA tourney teams in his last six games.
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Brandon Garrison – Reliable big man who shot 50.9% from the field.
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Trent Noah – Made waves in Kentucky’s upset of then-#5 Tennessee.
🔁 Big-Time Transfers:
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Denzel Aberdeen (Florida) – 2025 national champ, deadly from deep.
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Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama) – Double-double threat with postseason chops.
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Jaland Lowe (Pitt) – 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG — a floor general with swagger.
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Reece Potter (Miami OH) – Homegrown Lexington talent with a sharpshooter’s eye.
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Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State) – Defensive anchor and glass cleaner.
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Kam Williams (Tulane) – AAC All-Freshman sniper.
🆕 Fresh Faces:
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Andrija Jelavić – European standout with pro-level polish.
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Jasper Johnson – OTE star and Team USA playmaker.
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Malachi Moreno – Mr. Kentucky Basketball and McDonald’s All-American.
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Braydon Hawthorne – Recent 4-star commit with versatility at the wing.
With this kind of roster, Kentucky will test Georgetown’s defensive schemes, offensive chemistry, and bench depth from the jump.
What’s at Stake?
While the game won’t count on paper, don’t be fooled — momentum, recruiting perception, and locker room confidence are all on the line.
For Coach Cooley’s Hoyas, this is a priceless chance to:
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Build chemistry under fire
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Showcase new talent on a national stage
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Set the tone for a potentially loaded non-conference slate
For Kentucky, it’s a chance to flex their depth, test rotations, and give fans a glimpse of what could be a deep tournament run in the making.
Final Thoughts
The lights will be bright. The crowd will be loud. And both teams will be hungry.
This Georgetown vs. Kentucky exhibition might not show up in the final standings, but expect it to tell us a lot about what’s coming this season — for two programs aiming to write new chapters in their storied histories.
Keep an eye out for broadcast updates, and get ready for fireworks when the Hoyas march into Rupp Arena on October 30.
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