Big Blue Nation doesn't just watch basketball; they live it. If you’re checking your watch and wondering when is uk's next basketball game, you aren't alone. The rhythm of winter in Kentucky is dictated by the squeak of sneakers on the Rupp Arena floor. Right now, we’re deep into the SEC gauntlet, and the schedule is getting intense.
Whether you are looking for the men's squad or the women's team, the calendar is packed. We have the dates, the tip-off times, and the TV channels you need to keep your couch-sitting or ticket-buying plans on track.
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The Men’s Schedule: Rivalries and Road Trips
Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 17, 2026. That is the big one. The Kentucky men's team travels to Knoxville to face the Tennessee Volunteers.
This isn't just another game. It’s a battle in the Food City Center (formerly Thompson-Boling Arena) against a ranked Vols squad. Tip-off is set for 12:00 PM EST, and you can catch the whole thing on ESPN. Honestly, road games in Knoxville are always a circus, so expect a loud one.
After that trip to Rocky Top, the Wildcats head back home. Here is what the immediate future looks like for the men:
- Wednesday, Jan 21: vs. Texas at Rupp Arena. This is a 7:00 PM EST start on the SEC Network. It's the Longhorns' first trip to Lexington as a full-fledged SEC member, which feels weird to say, but here we are.
- Saturday, Jan 24: vs. Ole Miss. Another home game at high noon. Catch it on ESPN or ESPN2.
- Tuesday, Jan 27: at Vanderbilt. A late one in Nashville. The game starts at 9:00 PM EST on ESPN.
- Saturday, Jan 31: at Arkansas. This is a 6:30 PM EST tip-off on ESPN. Bud Walton Arena is basically a pressure cooker, so this will be a massive test for the Cats' composure.
What About the Kentucky Women’s Team?
The women's schedule is just as busy. If you are specifically asking when is uk's next basketball game for the women, the answer is actually tonight!
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Kentucky women host Florida at the Historic Memorial Coliseum. Tip-off is at 7:00 PM EST. There’s something special about the atmosphere in Memorial—it’s intimate, loud, and feels like "old school" Kentucky basketball.
If you miss that one, here is what’s coming up next for the women:
- Sunday, Jan 18: at Mississippi State. They’ll be playing in Starkville at 3:00 PM EST.
- Thursday, Jan 22: at Tennessee. A classic rivalry game in Knoxville starting at 6:30 PM EST.
- Sunday, Jan 25: vs. Georgia. Back at home in Lexington for a noon tip-off.
Why This Stretch Matters
We are currently in the "moving month" of the season. By the end of January, we usually know if a team is a legit Final Four contender or just a middle-of-the-pack SEC squad. The men's team is dealing with a brutal stretch of road games, and the "Texas-Ole Miss" home stand is basically a "must-sweep" if they want to stay in the hunt for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The SEC is deeper than it’s been in years. You’ve got teams like Alabama and Auburn playing high-octane offense, while Tennessee remains a defensive nightmare. For Kentucky, surviving January with only one or two losses is usually the benchmark for a successful season.
Watching and Attending Games
If you’re trying to go in person, Ticketmaster and SeatGeek are showing tickets for the Tennessee road game starting around $46, but expect that to climb as game day approaches. For the home games at Rupp against Texas and Ole Miss, you’re looking at a starting price of roughly $36 to $40 for the upper decks.
Watching from home? Most of these games are locked into the ESPN family of networks. If you don't have traditional cable, a subscription to a service like YouTube TV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV is basically a requirement for a Kentucky fan these days.
Actionable Steps for the Big Blue Faithful
To stay on top of the madness, here is what you should do right now:
- Sync Your Calendar: Go to the official UK Athletics website and download the schedule to your phone. It updates automatically if tip times shift due to TV slots.
- Check the Apps: If you're a streamer, make sure your ESPN app is logged in. There is nothing worse than missing the first five minutes of a game because of a "password expired" notification.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep an eye on local beat writers on social media. In the SEC, one rolled ankle can change the betting line and the game plan in three seconds.
- Secure Tickets Early: If you're planning on hitting the Arkansas or Tennessee road games, buy now. Those venues are small enough that secondary market prices spike the week of the game.
The road to March starts in these cold January gyms. Whether it’s the men fighting for a top seed or the women building momentum in the SEC, every game from here on out has massive implications.