KSR Today: Big Blue Madness has arrived

There is no better sign that basketball season is here than Kentucky‘s annual tipoff event, one that many have tried to top, but have failed to pull off. That’s because of you, Big Blue Nation, selling out a 20,500-seat venue in 29 minutes to watch a practice. No matter the team or coach or special guests planned, you always show up and make it a must-attend event year after year, something any other program in America would kill for. Today, we celebrate that once again in year two of the Mark Pope and Kenny Brooks eras.

The first Big Blue Madness under Pope was one we’ll all remember for a long, long time. He brought back Rick Pitino, wearing Kentucky blue and a UK logo on his chest for the first time in Rupp Arena since he left decades ago. His last time in the building, he flipped fans the bird on his way out as the villain of all villains, only to return as a hero thanks to Pope’s magic touch. That overlapped with the ASB GlassFloor making its debut, Pope’s journey from the rafters in his old uniform down to the floor and Brooks’ swag walk from the back, Lamont Butler’s rap, Collin Chandler’s dunk contest win, all of the generations coming together stretching across all of the national titles and so much more.

What’s in store for year two? There is no telling what the coaches and programs have up their sleeves, but we’re counting down the minutes until we’re able to find out.

Plan for surprises

Last year had plenty of surprises, and this is expected to be no different. In his final media appearance ahead of Big Blue Madness, Pope told KSR he was working on some ‘special’ twists and turns fans should be prepared for, assuming he’s able to pull them off as we head down the home stretch.

John Wall’s return? Something tied to Tyran Stokes’ potential commitment? Drake or Lil Wayne or Tyler Childers — somebody? We’ll see.

“We are down to the wire working on a couple of special things,” Pope said. “Wherever we end up, it’s gonna be — come on, it’s Big Blue Madness! There’s nothing like it. It’s going to be great.”

It starts with BBN United Fan Fest

The surprises aren’t limited to the Madness, either. Pope says he’s got some fun things in store ahead of time at BBN United Fan Fest, which runs from Noon ET through 4:30 p.m. ET, featuring team and coach autograph signings and photo sessions, plus Q&As, an X’s and O’s breakdown, food trucks, booths, championship trophies on display, team equipment collections, inflatables and balloon artists for kids, tattoos and much, much more.

Oh, and it’s totally free to the public, no ticket to BBM necessary. Come as you are and enjoy the meet-and-greet with the Wildcats — plus whatever additional surprises Pope has in store.

“It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be everything,” he said. “There are some things I’m not allowed to say, because they’re going to be surprises, which I think will be so awesome.”

Sources Say and Memorial Memo will be LIVE at Fan Fest

The headliners at Fan Fest are obvious — it’s the Kentucky Wildcats, hanging out with the men’s and women’s teams, along with their coaches. You’re there for them, including both present and past, with countless legends set to make appearances. UK has released the schedule for the current Cats and when they’ll be available for fans to meet.

Main Stage Appearances: 
12:30–1 p.m. – Coach Mark Pope on stage
1:15–1:45 p.m. – Coach Kenny Brooks on stage
1:45 p.m. – Women’s Basketball Team introduced
2–2:45 p.m. – Women’s Basketball Team Autograph Session
2:45 p.m. – Men’s Basketball Team introduced
3 –4 p.m. – Men’s Basketball Team Autograph Session

When you’re not mingling with the celebrities, you’ll be able to hang out with the KSR gang, as both men’s and women’s podcasts are going LIVE throughout the event. It’ll start with Phoenix Stevens and The Memorial Memo right when things start at Noon ET, followed by the Sources Say Podcast at 2 p.m. ET with special guests joining both shows all afternoon.

We’ll be live on Podcast Row, right between the vendors and inflatables/games. Check out the full Fan Fest map, featuring all of the fun to be had throughout the afternoon at the Central Bank Exhibition Hall.

Come get your schedule posters!

Like always, team schedule posters are here to help tip off the season and follow along with each big win (there will be many for both teams). They’re available now, starting this morning at Kroger locations statewide, along with other area locations and businesses.

They’ll also be waiting for you at BBN United Fan Fest and Big Blue Madness if you plan on being at Rupp Arena on Saturday. They will not be available at the UK Athletics Administration offices this season. Kroger locations and home games – while supplies last – are the main distribution sources for posters at this time.

Here’s what you can expect for both men’s and women’s teams:

Keep an eye out for top recruits in attendance

They may not be the special surprises Pope has in mind, but they’re certainly names and faces to keep a very close eye on as festivities begin this afternoon and into the evening. By KSR’s count, six high school recruits will be in attendance, ranging from the 2026 to 2028 classes, headlined by a couple of five-stars in ’26 in Jordan Smith Jr. and Caleb Holt.

Official visitors

• Jordan Smith Jr. (SG) 6-2, 200 | Paul VI Catholic (Washington, DC)
  2026 5-star: No. 3 overall, No. 1 SG
• Josh Irving (C) 6-11, 200 | Pasadena (Pasadena, CA)
  2026 4-star: No. 68 overall, No. 6 C

Unofficial visitors

• Caleb Holt (SG) 6-5, 200 | Prolific Prep (Huntsville, AL)
  2026 5-star: No. 4 overall, No. 2 SG
• Dawson Battie (PF) 6-8, 190 | Sain Mark’s (Dallas, TX)
  2027 4-star: No. 10 overall, No. 3 PF
• Reese Alston (PG) 6-2, 160 | Second Baptist (Houston, TX)
  2027 4-star: No. 22 overall, No. 4 PG
• Boogie Cook (SF) 6-7, 175 | Christian Academy-Louisville (Louisville, KY)
• 2028 4-star: No. 45 overall, No. 12 SF

KSR previewed the VIP list of visitors in Lexington heading into the weekend. Catch up on that here.

Tyran Stokes Watch continues…

No, Kentucky does not have the No. 1 recruit in the class of 2026 committed going into Big Blue Madness — not yet, anyway. Tyran Stokes has not finalized a public commitment date, but whispers continue to grow that he could pop at any moment with Friday seen as the first true possibility of a surprise announcement. That obviously did not happen (or we’d be leading off the morning post with it and talking about it all day). Now, the wait continues with the Wildcats sitting in the driver’s seat as we inch closer to the finish line.

Could something happen ahead of BBM, adding some big-time juice to an event that already has plenty? Maybe he shows up? That’d certainly be something — even though the school can’t publicize any unsigned recruits, meaning Stokes can’t take the microphone and announce he’s committing or anything fun Big Blue Nation has dreamed up. Although we’re happy to have him on Sources Say this afternoon if he wants to connect with the fans!

If not that, keep an eye out for his birthday on Sunday, October 12. I hear big No. 18 is an important day for kids.

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One way or another, it’s going to be a big weekend for the Kentucky Wildcats, starting here in a couple of hours at BBN United Fan Fest. We’ll see you there, folks.