Kentucky to open season vs. New Mexico State, per report

Each day that goes on, we’re finding out more and more about Kentucky Basketball’s 2023-24 schedule. Rocco Miller is reporting that Kentucky will open the season vs. New Mexico State at Rupp Arena on Monday, November 6.

The only other time the Cats and the Aggies have played is the first round of the 1999 NCAA Tournament, with Kentucky winning 82-60 en route to an Elite Eight appearance. New Mexico State made it to the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed under then-coach Chris Jans, almost knocking off No. 4 seed Arkansas 53-48.

Shortly after, Mississippi State hired Jans, and Greg Heiar took over. Heiar was removed as head coach due to hazing allegations in February 2023. Jason Hooten, previously the head coach of Sam Houston State, was named head coach on March 24.

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Kentucky Basketball’s Non-Conference Schedule

Slowly but surely, Kentucky’s 2023-24 non-conference schedule is taking shape. Last night, we found out the Cats will play Louisville on Thursday, Dec. 21 at the Yum Center.

Here are all the games we know of so far. The St. Joe’s game on Nov. 20 is part of the “Wildcat Challenge,” a multi-team event also featuring Stonehill and Texas A&M University-Commerce, per the Hawks’ website.

• Nov. 6: vs. New Mexico State | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
• Nov. 14: vs. Kansas | Champions Classic | United Center, Chicago, IL
• Nov. 20: vs. St. Joe’s | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
• TBA: vs. Stonehill | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
• TBA: vs. Texas A&M University-Commerce | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
• Nov. 28: vs. Miami | ACC/SEC Challenge | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
• Dec. 2: vs. UNC Wilmington | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
• Dec. 16: vs. TBD | CBS Sports Classic | State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
• Dec. 21 at Louisville | KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
• TBA: vs. Gonzaga | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY

In SEC play, Kentucky will face Florida, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Arkansas, and Mississippi State twice, and Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Missouri, Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, and Texas A&M once. Dates, times, and TV designations will be announced at a later time.

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