Kentucky basketball’s Mark Pope excited to play Georgetown
Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope praises Georgetown as one of the best programs in college basketball, led by the great Ed Cooley.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball already is 1-0 this preseason: It topped Purdue, the unanimous No. 1 team in both the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll as well as the AP Top 25, by 13 points (78-65) in an exhibition game last week at Rupp Arena.
Now UK and coach Mark Pope prepare for the second (and final) of their two exhibitions, welcoming Georgetown University to Lexington tonight.
The Wildcats and Hoyas have played twice, with Georgetown earning victories each time.
Stream Kentucky vs. Georgetown
Last season was the Hoyas’ third under coach Ed Cooley. Georgetown went 18-16 overall in 2024-25, with an 8-12 record in Big East play. It went on to compete in the inaugural College Basketball Crown event, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Nebraska, the tournament’s eventual champion.
The Hoyas bring back 10 players from last season, but just three (Malik Mack, Kayvaun Mulready and Caleb Williams) appeared in more than 20 games.
“The Georgetown Hoyas are one of the great programs in college basketball,” Pope said. “Have one of the best coaches in coach Ed Cooley, who does an unbelievable job. Tough, tough team. Hard fought. Really skilled. Bunch of guys that can make shots.
“It’s gonna be a big-time game. … I’m really excited.”
Here’s what you need to know to follow today’s exhibition game between the Wildcats and Hoyas from home:
UK and Georgetown are slated to tip off at 7 p.m. today at Rupp Arena.
The exhibition contest between the Wildcats and Hoyas will not air on a traditional television channel.
Instead, it will be streamed live on SEC Network+, a complementary digital platform to the linear SEC Network run by ESPN.
Authenticated subscribers can access SEC Network+ via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.
Stream Kentucky basketball’s exhibition game vs. Georgetown on SEC Network+
Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.
You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.