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Purdue will head to Kentucky for preseason exhibition game

On3 imageby:Brian Neubert•05/02/25•

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Mark Pope entering Rupp Arena for his introductory press conference - Aaron Perkins, Kentucky Sports Radio
Mark Pope entering Rupp Arena for his introductory press conference - Aaron Perkins, Kentucky Sports Radio

For the third straight season, Purdue will open its men’s basketball season with an exhibition game in a road environment, this year’s being a trip to Kentucky Friday night, Oct. 24.

The Boilermakers played such games at Arkansas and Creighton the past two seasons, those being exhibitions to benefit charitable causes. The NCAA has since changed its rules around such events so there no longer needs to be a charitable cause involved or a waiver to make the game happen.

Purdue will be regarded heading into next season as one of the top teams in college basketball, as seniors Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer return to a team that returns much of its core from the Sweet 16 team that pushed national runner-up Houston to its breaking point in the NCAA Tournament.

Though this game won’t count, it will mark the first time Purdue has faced the Wildcats under Matt Painter and a rare trip to Rupp Arena.

Kentucky was 24-12 this past season in Year 1 under Coach Mark Pope, but will look very different this season after rebuilding through the transfer portal.

Since preseason exhibitions have become a thing, Painter was sought out road games for team-development purposes.

The Kentucky exhibition will be a warmup for a non-conference schedule that will include home games vs. Iowa State and Marquette, a trip to Alabama, an Indy Classic meeting with Auburn and the MTE in the Bahamas, for which the field remains to be determined.

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