Kentucky Wildcats Set to Face Georgetown After Purdue Win

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky men’s basketball team is gearing up for a crucial exhibition game against Georgetown University on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, following their impressive 78-65 victory over top-ranked Purdue last week.

In their recent win, freshman Jasper Johnson led Kentucky with 15 points, supported by Trent Noah and Otega Oweh, who each contributed 10 points. Head coach Mark Pope expressed pride in his team’s performance against Purdue, noting that he was initially concerned about how they would compete against a physically dominant team. “What I was really excited about in the Purdue game was…I didn’t feel like we were small,” he said.

Kentucky’s upcoming opponent, Georgetown, boasts a rich basketball history and is coached by Ed Cooley. After winning their exhibition opener against George Washington, Georgetown’s Caleb Williams shined with 20 points, while Malik Mack added 16 points. Pope acknowledged the challenge ahead, calling the Hoyas a “tough, tough team.”

Historically, Kentucky has excelled in exhibition matches, holding a 155-12 record, including a 34-game winning streak. Pope’s team has not faced Georgetown often; their last matchup was in the 1984 NCAA Tournament, where Georgetown emerged victorious, 53-40.

Before the regular season begins, this matchup at Rupp Arena provides Kentucky a chance to refine their rotations and chemistry against a significant non-conference opponent. Defensively, Kentucky showed promise against Purdue, limiting them to 38.6% shooting.

Despite missing starting point guard Jaland Lowe due to injury, Kentucky aims to capitalize on their depth and strong bench support. The Wildcats will look to carry momentum into the start of the season, with Pope focusing on maintaining a strong defensive identity while enhancing their offensive flow.

As the game approaches, excitement builds in Big Blue Nation, eager to see their team’s growth and potential before facing Nicholls in their season opener next week.