The first non-conference opponent for new Kentucky coach Mark Pope has been set, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander.
According to Norlander, negotiations are underway for the Wildcats to host Western Kentucky, an intrastate rival, at Rupp Arena the following season. Rupp Arena will host a three-game multi-team event that includes UK vs. WKU. All three games are anticipated to be against mid-major universities, with an HBCU program likely to be the opponent in the other two.
There have only been seven meetings between the Wildcats and Hilltoppers since 1971, with Kentucky holding a 5-2 advantage in the overall series. Oscar Tshiebwe, a two-time All-American and former national player of the year, led Western Kentucky to a 95-60 victory over UK in their most recent meeting, where he finished with 14 points and a Rupp Arena record 28 rebounds. The game was played in the 2021–22 season. In addition to TyTy Washington’s 20 points, Kellan Grady scored a game-high 23 points.
Since 1971, there have only been seven meetings between the Wildcats and Hilltoppers; Kentucky has a 5-2 all-time series advantage. Oscar Tshiebwe, a former national player of the year and two-time All-American, led Western Kentucky, which substituted for Louisville in the nick of time due to COVID-19, with a career-high 28 rebounds in a Rupp Arena record in a 95-60 victory over the United Kingdom. TyTy Washington added 20 points, while Kellan Grady scored a game-high 23 points.
Pope stated, “I think we really, really want to see that, but there are some issues here that we need to resolve.” “We need to discover some solutions for. Packages for tickets, home games—all of those are expenses that we must budget for. To be able to accomplish that, we’re actually working very hard to find good answers to some of the requirements that we have. All of the BBN staff and those involved in our program, in my opinion, agree that these MTEs are incredibly unique. These residences are incredibly unique.”
Kentucky’s schedule includes WKU, Gonzaga in Seattle, Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic, Duke in the Champions Classic, Louisville at Rupp Arena, and an opponent to be revealed in the second round.
Pope stated, “I think there are some issues here that we need to resolve, but we really, really want to see that.” “We need to identify some solutions. Packages for tickets, home games, and other expenses that need to be covered. In order to accomplish that, we’re actually working extremely hard to find workable answers to some of our requirements. Everyone in BBN and anyone connected to our program, in my opinion, thinks that these MTEs are incredibly unique. These residences are truly exceptional.”
Kentucky’s upcoming schedule includes WKU, Gonzaga in Seattle, Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic, Louisville at Rupp Arena, Duke in the Champions Classic, and an opponent to be revealed in the second round.
