The Kentucky men’s basketball team hosts Little Rock in a preseason exhibition game tonight at 7 p.m. at Rupp Arena in downtown Lexington. The matchup marks the first time outside competition will face coach Mark Pope’s squad following the team’s public Big Blue Madness event and private pro day earlier this month.
Expanded Preseason Opportunities Bring Little Rock to Lexington
The NCAA now permits college basketball programs to schedule up to three preseason exhibitions, and Kentucky is maximizing that allowance. Tonight’s contest marks the second meeting between the Wildcats and the Trojans. Their lone prior matchup took place on Jan. 3, 2012, when the Wildcats earned a 73-51 victory at Freedom Hall.
Trojans Head to Rupp Arena for Exhibition Matchup with Kentuckyhttps://t.co/0qg6YnuSN4 pic.twitter.com/mgY6bU7DLa
— https://x.com/LittleRockMBB/status/2110834994750841164
Momcilovic enters the season having averaged 16.9 points while converting 48.6 percent of his three-point attempts last year at Iowa State. Local fans will also watch Malachi Moreno, a Georgetown native who secured a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team following the 2025-26 campaign.
Pro Day Preparations
Earlier this month, on October 6, 2026, the Wildcats conducted their annual pro day at Rupp Arena. The private event featured various drills and scrimmages, including instances where players like Zoom Diallo, Justin McBride, Braydon Hawthorne, Ousmane N’Diaye, and Milan Momcilovic competed in front of scouts. Coach Mark Pope was observed monitoring the floor action throughout the session.
How to Watch and Listen to Tonight’s Exhibition Game
The matchup will not be broadcast on any traditional television channel. Instead, the game streams live via SEC Network+, an internet platform accessible through the ESPN app and WatchESPN.com for authenticated cable subscribers. Andrew Kappes will handle play-by-play duties alongside analyst Ravi Moss.
Radio coverage across the UK Sports Network will air on WLAP-AM 630 and WBUL-FM 98.1 in Lexington, as well as WHAS-AM 840 in Louisville. Darren Headrick provides the play-by-play call alongside analyst Jack Givens, with live audio also streaming online through the official athletics website.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Matchup
Where is the game being played?
The exhibition takes place at Rupp Arena, which holds a seating capacity of 20,545 at the Central Bank Center in downtown Lexington.
Who is coaching Little Rock?
Travis Ford serves as the head coach for the Little Rock program.
Are there any other ways to follow the game online?
Fans can track updates and post-game coverage through team digital programs, official athletic social media accounts on X and Bluesky, and live photo galleries on regional sports portals.
Despite the scheduled tip-off, it remains unclear which specific rotation patterns Coach Pope intends to utilize during this exhibition, and exactly how many minutes the primary starters will play before the coaching staff shifts to reserve personnel.