WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State men's basketball added a marquee game to its 2026-27 non-conference schedule with a road game at Kentucky on Black Friday.

The Shockers and Wildcats will square off in Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center on Friday, Nov. 27, 2026 with tip time and TV info to be announced at a later date.

Kentucky is 2-0 all-time vs. Wichita State, but this will mark the first-ever regular season meeting between the two programs. The two previous matchups came in a pair of NCAA Tournament battles, most recently in 2017. The most notable showdown took place in the Second Round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament when Kentucky upset No. 1 seed Wichita State, ending the Shockers' undefeated season in one of college basketball's instant classics. The two March Madness tussles were separated by a total of five points.

Wichita State is coming off a 24-win season and its second straight postseason berth. The Shockers have increased their win total each year under head coach Paul Mills, who will be entering his fourth season on the sideline. Mills' 58 wins are the second most in program history by a Wichita State head coach through his first three seasons. The 2026-27 team enters with high expectations after the announcement of 10 Shockers returning from last season, including American Conference Sixth Man of the Year Will Berg, Dillon Battie, TJ Williams and Michael Gray Jr.

Kentucky is led by third year head coach Mark Pope. The Wildcats return five players from its NCAA Tournament Round of 32 squad a year ago as Braydon Hawthorne, Malachi Moreno, Trent Noah, Reece Potter and Kam Williams are all back for the Wildcats. A well-regarded group of six transfers also enters the fold for Kentucky in 2026-27, headlined by the nation's leading 3-point shooter from a year ago, Milan Momcilovic. Momcilovic starred for Iowa State last season, averaging 16.9 points per game and making a school-record 136 three-pointers while shooting 48.7 percent from deep.

Season tickets are on sale now, and season ticket renewals are available as well. To purchase, visit GoShockers.com/Tickets, dial 316-978-FANS (3267) or stop by the Shocker Ticket Office, located inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Double Your Impact Today
Make your gift to the We Fight For Wichita Fund and help Wichita State Athletics meet the $500,000 matching challenge. 

Donate today: We Fight For Wichita Fund

Individuals interested in donating to the We Fight For Wichita Fund may do so at GoShockers.com/Giving. For more information, contact the WSU Development Office at 316-978-SASO (7276).