IT COUNTS NOW!
Three exhibition games. Three victories. Plenty of reasons for optimism. And plenty of work still to do.
It's finally time for real Kentucky basketball.
After weeks of practices, scrimmages and exhibition games, the No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats officially open their 2026-27 season Tuesday night against the Manhattan Jaspers at Rupp Arena.
Mark Pope's team enters the regular season riding a perfect 3-0 exhibition record, with victories over Little Rock, No. 19 Texas Tech and UCF. The Wildcats have displayed impressive defensive stretches, exciting young talent and a growing offensive identity. They've also shown some weaknesses that will need to be addressed before the schedule gets considerably tougher.
Manhattan should provide Kentucky with an opportunity to begin the season 1-0, continue developing its rotation and build confidence. But the Wildcats have bigger goals than simply winning their opener.
With Kansas waiting just one week away, Tuesday is an important chance to demonstrate that the lessons learned during exhibition play are starting to pay off.
The Wildcats won all three preseason contests, beating their opponents by a combined 45 points. Along the way, they faced increasingly challenging competition and demonstrated that this roster has both talent and room for growth.
Perhaps the most encouraging number is Kentucky's defensive field-goal percentage. Across three exhibitions, opponents made just 67 of 189 field-goal attempts and 19 of 78 three-pointers.
Those are promising figures for a team that expects to compete in a demanding SEC. Kentucky has length, multiple seven-footers and several perimeter players capable of pressuring opponents. The goal now is to sustain that effort over an entire game.
Kentucky's final exhibition was easily its most dramatic.
The Wildcats built a double-digit lead against UCF, but the Knights refused to go away. Kentucky struggled to maintain control in the second half, eventually falling behind 71-69 in the closing seconds.
That's when Alex Wilkins saved the night.
Wilkins drove into the lane and connected on a game-tying shot with just 0.4 seconds remaining, forcing overtime. Kentucky then completely took over the extra period, outscoring UCF 19-5 and winning 90-76.
The Wildcats have the talent to close games with authority. The challenge is avoiding the extended scoring droughts and defensive lapses that allow opponents to get back into games in the first place.
There were several encouraging individual performances. Milan Momcilovic scored 19 points, freshman Mason Williams added 18, and Malachi Moreno produced a remarkable 16-point, 14-rebound, eight-assist performance.
Kentucky also recorded 23 assists on 32 made baskets against the Knights, a strong indication of the ball movement Pope wants from his offense.
Against Manhattan, fans will be looking for that same level of offensive cooperation without the late-game drama.
Kentucky is not expected to have Kam Williams available for Tuesday's opener. On October 30, Mark Pope described Williams as day-to-day and said the team would continue exercising caution with his recovery from a foot injury. His return could eventually provide another valuable scoring option on the perimeter, but no specific return date has been announced.
Manhattan University is located in the Bronx, New York, and competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). The Jaspers are coached by John Gallagher, who is entering his fourth season leading the program.
Manhattan finished the 2025-26 season with a 12-20 record and an 8-12 mark in conference play. The Jaspers have experienced significant roster turnover and will be introducing several new players when they visit Lexington.
While Kentucky will be heavily favored, Manhattan has embraced the opportunity to open its season against one of college basketball's most recognizable programs.
Ben Tweedy, Guard: The Colgate transfer averaged 9.4 points per game last season and connected on 42 of 109 three-point attempts. Kentucky cannot afford to leave him open on the perimeter.
Quron Elliott, Guard: A returning contributor who appeared in 30 games for Manhattan last season. With so many newcomers on the roster, his familiarity with Gallagher's system could be valuable.
Isaac Johnson, Forward: A junior-college addition who averaged 16.9 points and 6.5 rebounds at Pima Community College last season. Johnson brings another potential scoring and rebounding option to the Jaspers' frontcourt.
Manhattan also added Niagara transfer Josiah Sabino, Akron transfer Ognjen Stankovic and international forward Dušan Eric. Their development and ability to play together will be an important storyline for Gallagher's team.
Tuesday's matchup will be the first basketball meeting between Kentucky and Manhattan. According to Manhattan Athletics, the Jaspers are 7-20 all-time against SEC opponents.
Kentucky should look to establish control early rather than giving Manhattan the confidence that comes with keeping a game close. Aggressive defense, quality shots and smart transition opportunities can help the Wildcats build a comfortable lead.
With Moreno, Ousmane N'Diaye and additional size available, Kentucky should have an advantage around the basket. The Wildcats need to turn that edge into second-chance opportunities, interior scoring and strong defensive rebounding.
Kentucky's 23 assists against UCF demonstrated how effective Pope's offense can be when players share the basketball. Getting Momcilovic open looks, involving Moreno as a passer and finding cutters should create high-percentage opportunities.
Kentucky held exhibition opponents below 36 percent shooting from the field. Maintaining that defensive intensity for 40 minutes, communicating on screens and preventing uncontested three-pointers should be priorities against Manhattan.
With major opponents approaching, Kentucky needs dependable production beyond its starting lineup. Players such as Mason Williams, Justin McBride, Franck Kepnang and Braydon Hawthorne could benefit from additional minutes and opportunities to establish their roles.
Of course, the most important outcome is a Kentucky victory. But for fans evaluating where this team stands, the final score won't tell the entire story.
A successful night would include a balanced scoring attack, strong rebounding, efficient perimeter shooting and a limited number of careless turnovers. Most importantly, Kentucky should look like a team becoming increasingly comfortable playing together.
Fans should also pay attention to the rotation. Does Mason Williams continue to earn substantial minutes? Can Diallo establish himself as the team's primary floor general? Will Moreno's passing create opportunities for Kentucky's shooters? And how much depth will Pope use in the frontcourt?
The answers could provide an early indication of what Kentucky's rotation will look like against stronger competition.
Manhattan is just the beginning of a challenging November for Kentucky. The Wildcats host James Madison on Friday before traveling to Chicago for a major early-season showdown with Kansas in the Champions Classic.
The meeting with Kansas will provide an early measuring stick for Kentucky's national aspirations. By then, Pope will want his team operating with considerably more consistency than it showed during portions of the exhibition schedule.
That's why Tuesday matters. Manhattan may not be the biggest name on Kentucky's schedule, but every opportunity to build chemistry and establish good habits is valuable.
Kentucky has significant advantages in size, depth and overall talent. Manhattan is rebuilding its roster, and opening the season inside Rupp Arena against a nationally ranked opponent presents an enormous challenge.
The Wildcats should be able to establish themselves defensively, dominate the interior and create plenty of quality scoring opportunities. Look for Momcilovic to make an impact from the perimeter, Moreno to control the paint and Kentucky's younger guards to provide an offensive spark.
There may be some early-season mistakes, but Kentucky should have more than enough firepower to take care of business.
Tuesday's game will be streamed on SEC Network+, not the regular SEC Network cable channel. Fans can access SEC Network+ through the ESPN app or ESPN website using an eligible participating TV-provider login or supported streaming subscription.
The exhibitions are finished. The games finally count. And Big Blue Nation is ready for another season of Kentucky basketball.