24 Things Kentucky Fans Can Look Forward To In 2024

If we’re honest with ourselves, 2023 wasn’t the greatest year for University of Kentucky sports. The basketball team had another early exit from the NCAA Tournament and the football team did not live up to expectations, finishing the year 7-6. The women’s basketball team had a losing record and is sitting at .500 this season. There were highlights — big wins in both sports, the baseball team’s postseason run, and volleyball’s SEC Championship — but 2023 was mostly underwhelming. Thankfully, 2024 looks much more promising.

In the spirit of the new year, here are 24 things the Big Blue Nation can look forward to in 2024.

1. Kentucky at Texas A&M: Jan. 13

Kentucky opens SEC play on Saturday at Florida, the Cats’ first true road game when you factor in the amount of blue in the Yum Center a few weeks back. The Gators are decent and Saturday’s game in Gainesville is sold out, but I’ve got January 13 at Texas A&M circled as Kentucky’s first really big road test.

The Aggies are 9-4 with losses to FAU, Virginia, Memphis, and Houston — all good squads — and have the SEC Preseason Player of the Year in Wade Taylor IV. Buzz Williams has yet to beat Kentucky and you know he’ll have College Station rocking for the Saturday afternoon showdown. I can’t wait to see how this young team responds.

2. Kentucky at Arkansas: Jan. 27

Two weeks later, the Cats head to Fayetteville for another huge road test. Arkansas is not living up to preseason expectations thus far, with a 9-4 record that includes a loss to UNC Greensboro, but the Razorbacks will give the Cats another “Super Bowl” environment. Hopefully, Antonio Reeves turns in a repeat performance of his last trip to Fayetteville, when he scored 37 points en route to an 88-79 Kentucky victory. Otherwise, Eric Musselman would love nothing more than to tear his shirt off again and storm the court.

3. Kentucky vs. Tennessee: Feb. 3

Kentucky’s first Saturday SEC home game is vs. Georgia on Jan. 20, but there will be a different energy in the air when Tennessee comes to town on Saturday, Feb. 3. The Vols are currently ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll, one spot above the Cats, and have a talented, veteran roster that could give Kentucky’s young squad fits. This is an 8:30 p.m. ET tip on ESPN, so Lexington will be buzzing all day long, exactly the energy we need to get an important month rolling.

4. Kentucky at Vanderbilt: Feb. 6

Vanderbilt stinks. Why are they on this list? Two reasons — well, actually, three. This will be Kentucky’s first game against the Commodores since Brad Calipari joined Jerry Stackhouse’s staff, so there’s that angle. Kentucky’s also lost two straight to Vanderbilt, so you’ve got the revenge factor. Finally, I’ll be at this game, so selfishly, I’m looking forward to seeing the Cats play in person at what will surely be a mostly blue Memorial Gym.

5. The Rupp Arena court returning: At some point?

Kentucky played one game on its shiny, new, bumper sticker-free court, the loss to UNC Wilmington on Dec. 2. The fact that Kentucky got rid of the court after the loss is like something out of The Onion, but apparently, it was not up to snuff, with dead spots throughout. A new court is currently being made and, at some point in 2024, will be installed. Will it be before this season is over? For the banner-raising ceremony in April? Next season? Who knows, but I am looking forward to figuring out which Kentucky county our players make three-pointers from again.

6. Kentucky vs. Gonzaga in Rupp: Feb. 10

One week after the Tennessee game, Kentucky has another marquee Saturday matchup at Rupp Arena when Gonzaga comes to town. The Bulldogs are struggling a little bit this season, but will probably find their footing now that WCC play is starting. This is the second game in the six-year series vs. Mark Few’s squad. Kentucky lost the first, 88-72, last year in Spokane. Depending on when the 2024-25 game is scheduled, we could have two games vs. the Bulldogs this year. Next season’s game is set to take place in Seattle.

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7. Kentucky at Auburn: Feb. 17

Bruce Pearl’s Auburn Tigers are now ranked, coming in at No. 25 in the new AP Poll. They only have two losses this season, vs. Baylor in the season opener and at Appalachian State on Dec. 3, a head-scratcher. Auburn has one of the best home-court advantages in the SEC, and the Tigers will be eager to pull off the upset in the Saturday evening ESPN slot. For what it’s worth, KenPom currently has Kentucky losing this one 85-80. If you’re looking for a fun SEC road game to go to, this is it. (Get lunch or dinner at The Hound, too.)

8. Kentucky at Tennessee: March 9

Putting two games vs. Tennessee on this list felt like cheating, but I think Kentucky’s trip to Knoxville is worth it. Not only will it be Kentucky’s final regular season game, but it will be Justin Edwards’ first trip to Thompson-Boling Arena (at Food City Center) as a Wildcat. Edwards picked Kentucky over Tennessee in the summer of 2022. The five-star freshman may be off to a shaky start this season but this team needs him to hit his stride to reach their potential. Even if Edwards’ breakout game comes before March 9, showing the Vols what they’re missing out on would be a sweet way to end the regular season.

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9. SEC Tournament: March 13-17

March has been pretty depressing for Kentucky fans as of late. Last year, the SEC Tournament returned to Nashville after a year in Tampa, but the Cats lost to Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals on Friday night, preventing fans from getting the true BBNashville experience. We haven’t had that since 2019 due to the tournament being canceled in 2020 and fans not being allowed in during 2021.

It’s time for Kentucky fans to reclaim Broadway. This year’s team seems more than capable of landing a top-four seed, which would ensure the double-bye. That’s step No. 1. Ideally, the Cats would get the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, which would mean either the early game or the first game of the evening session. Either way, I’m looking forward to blue taking over my streets again, this time without the quick exit.

10. Travis Perry in the Sweet 16: March 20-23

While Kentucky prepares for the NCAA Tournament, a future Wildcat could be making more history at Rupp Arena. Lyon County is the best high school team in the state thanks to Travis Perry and his capable cast of teammates. The Lyons have won nine straight, including four to take the crown at the White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic last weekend. They’re considered the favorites to win the Sweet 16 in Rupp, which is where Perry broke King Kelly Colman’s scoring record last year.

Lyon County came up short last March, losing to George Rogers Clark in the quarterfinals. I’m sure Perry will want to finish his high school career with a bang, one of many good memories to come at Rupp.

11. NCAA Tournament: March 21-April 6

We’ve talked ad nauseam about how unpleasant the month of March has been to Kentucky fans recently. This is the team that could turn that around. A Final Four is the goal, but let’s just get out of the first weekend, please. I’m dying to see what Boston, Dallas, Detroit, or Los Angeles look like in the last weekend of March. If Kentucky advances past that, I’ll be thrilled to travel to Phoenix. I won’t even complain that the stadium is 20 minutes from downtown and 30 minutes from the airport.

12. Spring Football: Late March/early April

Kentucky Football’s 2023 season didn’t go as we had hoped, but the Cats are reloading with some big pieces from the transfer portal. Spring football will give us our first look at former Georgia Bulldog Brock Vandagriff as Kentucky’s new quarterback, and former Ohio State running back Chip Trayanum in the backfield. Add in the very eager freshmen who early enrolled and joined the team in Jacksonville (Cutter Boley, Brian Robinson, Hardley Gilmore, and the Smith twins, to name a few) and there’s plenty to look forward to when the team takes the field this spring, especially if there’s a spring game.

13. Kentucky Derby 150: May 4

Horse racing has seen plenty of controversy in recent years; however, this year is the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. Even though I’ve soured on the sport, I still enjoy the pageantry of the Derby, and this year’s event should be bigger and better than ever. We’re already setting the over/under on how many items of Kentucky Derby 150 merchandise Nick Roush buys and the number of beers he consumes in the infield.

14. Kentucky Baseball Season: February through May/June

Last year, the baseball team advanced to the Super Regional for only the second time in program history, a run that may have saved Nick Mingione’s job. The Bat Cats return several players from that squad, including C Devin Burkes, RHP Mason Moore, and SS Grant Smith. The 2024 season starts in February, but most fans will turn their focus to the diamond in April and May, which include two games vs. Louisville (one home, one away) and series vs. Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt at Kentucky Proud Park. Take me out to the ballgame!

15. PGA Championship at Valhalla: May 16-19

In mid-May, the golf world will descend upon Louisville for the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. It’s the fourth time Valhalla has hosted the event, which has housed some great moments, including Tiger Woods’ win in 2000.

So many great memories at Valhalla … remember this one from @TigerWoods?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/mdaOSI5roc

— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) November 9, 2021

16. NBA Draft: June 27

Six Kentucky Basketball players are included in the Top 60 of ESPN’s 2024 NBA Draft Rankings, including four in the first round and two in lottery range (Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard). If six players are drafted, that’ll be the most for the program since 2015. NBA Draft night — or, as John Calipari calls it, “graduation night” — is bittersweet for Kentucky fans, but seeing Reed Sheppard walk across that stage, with proud parents Stacey and Jeff watching from below, would be a very cool moment.

17. SEC Media Days in Dallas: July 15-18

Texas and Oklahoma officially join the SEC in 2024, and the conference is taking Media Days to Dallas to celebrate. SEC Media Days is always a spectacle, but this year’s will be especially wild with the Longhorns and Sooners coming on board and the College Football Playoffs expanding to 12 teams. The KSR crew may still be recovering from its trip to Nashville for 2023 SEC Media Days, but we’re putting some money aside to make the trek to Dallas. Everything’s bigger in Texas, right?

18. Paris Olympics: July 26 – August 11

The Olympics take place in Paris, France this summer, and one of Team USA’s biggest stars is a former Kentucky Wildcat. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has conquered the 400m hurdles, taking home gold in Tokyo in 2021 and breaking her world record multiple times. In 2023, she added a new event to her arsenal: the 400m flat. She could go for gold in both in Paris, giving extra oomph to the biggest sporting event of the summer. Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, and Bam Adebayo have all said they’d like to play for the revamped Dream Team, giving the BBN even more rooting interest.

19. The Titans finding an offensive line to protect Will Levis: At some point before September, please

Will Levis is the quarterback of the future in Nashville — if the Titans can put together an offensive line to protect him. Levis’ ascent to starting quarterback in his rookie season was both thrilling and terrifying. Seeing him win over even his biggest haters was awesome; watching him come crashing down to the turf multiple times per game — twice leading to injury — was not.

If Tennessee’s dismal 2023 season gives us anything, let it be high draft picks and the wisdom to use them correctly, or Levis could be running for his life again next fall.

20. Brock Vandagriff’s debut vs. Southern Miss: Aug. 31

The first football game of the season is always a cause for celebration. This year’s could be especially fun as Brock Vandagriff, Kentucky’s highest-ranked quarterback since Tim Couch, makes his debut. On August 31, we’ll not only get to tailgate outside Kroger Field again, but we’ll also get to see what Vandagriff has to offer after a summer and preseason of preparation.

21. Kentucky vs. Georgia: Sept. 14

Two weeks later, Vandagriff will square off against his former team, Georgia. The former five-star recruit left Athens on good terms, eager for the opportunity to play instead of backing up Carson Beck for another season. This game will have extra meaning for Vandagriff and fellow former Bulldog Jamon Dumas-Johnson, who also transferred to Kentucky this offseason. Only a few weeks into the season, we won’t have to wait long to see what this Kentucky football team is made of.

22. Kentucky at Ole Miss: Sept. 28

In 2022, Kentucky fans got to experience Oxford and the Grove for the first time in 12 years. We’ll get another opportunity this fall. Unfortunately, it’ll come against an Ole Miss team that will probably be ranked in the top 10. The Rebels return quarterback Jaxson Dart and absolutely killed it in recruiting and the transfer portal. It’s Oxford, so either way it’s going to be fun, but it’d be nice to bring home a victory this time.

23. Kentucky vs. Duke (Champions Classic): Nov. 12

It’s hard to know what Kentucky’s roster will look like next season, but we’ve already got one big game circled on the calendar. Kentucky plays Duke in the Champions Classic in Atlanta in what will likely be a showdown of the nation’s top two recruiting classes. The Cats are 1-3 vs. the Blue Devils in the event, the lone win coming to start the 2015-16 season. Kentucky’s win over North Carolina in the same arena last month was one of the highlights of 2023, so in 2024, let’s run it back to take down another ACC foe.

24. Kentucky at Texas: Nov. 23

Kentucky has only played Texas once in football, a 7-6 loss in Austin in 1951. This year’s game vs. the Longhorns is up there with Ole Miss as the most coveted road trip of the season. Texas is coming off a CFP semifinal appearance, so it’ll either be a win for the ages or one part of a trip to the SEC’s coolest new city.

BONUS: Football vs. Louisville (Nov. 30), Basketball vs. Louisville (TBD)

You didn’t think I’d end this list without mentioning our favorite rival, did you? Kentucky’s wins over Louisville in 2023 will be hard to top, but the Cats get the Cards at Kroger Field and in Rupp to end the year. By then, who knows what will be happening with the Louisville Basketball program. The Cats are so dominant in both series it felt like cheating to list them both, so think of these games as the cherry on top of an excellent 2024 sundae.

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