Kentucky coach Mark Pope talks about Rick Pitino’s upcoming visit
Kentucky’s Mark Pope excited to reunite with Rick Pitino this weekend.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky men’s basketball officially begins a new chapter in its illustrious history Friday night, as the annual Big Blue Madness event will be held at Rupp Arena.
It will be the first time the Wildcats‘ fan base has an opportunity to see first-year coach Mark Pope‘s team take the floor in front of a live audience; Monday’s pro day at Memorial Coliseum was limited to media members and NBA scouts. Not a single scholarship player returns for Kentucky from last season’s squad.
But the men’s program isn’t the only one in the midst of upheaval.
UK’s women’s team also has a new coach in Kenny Brooks. The women’s team will be on hand and participate in Friday night’s festivities, noteworthy for the use of an ASB GlassFloor, a full LED video sports floor. While Brooks’ group also will look starkly different from last season’s Kyra Elzy-led club, there is one difference from the men’s team: The women’s squad brings back two players from the 2023-24 campaign in guards Cassidy Rowe and Saniah Tyler.
Courier Journal sports reporter Ryan Black and photographers Jeff Faughender and Clare Grant are at Rupp Arena and will have live updates throughout Big Blue Madness — here and on X, formerly known as Twitter — and complete coverage after. You can follow them on X at @RyanABlack, @JFauGFX and @ClareGPhotos.
Below, you’ll find live updates from the event:
- Date: Friday, Oct. 11
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Rupp Arena; Lexington
- TV channel: SEC Network
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial)
Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness event will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network. Streaming options for the event include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
All available tickets for Big Blue Madness already have been sold.
Kentucky basketball will have two high-profile visitors in attendance Friday night for Big Blue Madness: Acaden Lewis, a four-star guard in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite, is in town for an official visit. Also taking in the event will be Anthony Thompson, a five-star small forward in the 2026 cycle in 247Sports’ Composite ratings.
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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
