No. 1 Purdue lost its exhibition game 78-65 to No. 9 Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Friday night. Here are a few thoughts from the preseason contest.

The Wildcats opened their 50th season inside Rupp Arena with a bang Friday night, as No. 9 Kentucky defeated No. 1 Purdue, 78-65 in an exhibition contest.

Since taking over the Kentucky basketball program last year, Mark Pope has never shied away from lofty expectations. The way his Wildcats played on Friday in a high-profile exhibition opener against preseason No.

The most highly anticipated exhibition of the entire offseason took place on Friday night in Rupp Arena as the Kentucky Wildcats hosted the #1 Purdue Boilermake

Purdue basketball plays its first tune-up game for the 2025-26 season against a team capable of joining it in the mix for national championship contention. The Boilermakers — ranked No. 1 in the preseason — visit No.

All right, yes, it was only an exhibition game. But what an exhibition it was for the No. 9 ranked Kentucky basketball team.

Kentucky only shot 9 of 29 from the 3-point line, but the new players on the roster were ready for their opportunities, and that is what they did. Jasper Johnson shot 3 of 7 from the 3-point line, but for him to shoot it freely, it shows he already has confidence in himself as a freshman.

Kentucky Wildcats point guard Jaland Lowe didn't play vs. Purdue. Here's what we learned about Kentucky basketball's depth at the position.