Ranking Kentucky basketball's three toughest non-conference games

Kentucky is going to have a tough non-conference schedule.

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope calls out to his team Friday, March 28, 2025, during the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. / Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Mark Pope's 2025-26 Kentucky basketball team will have a tough non-conference schedule this season that will involve some elite teams. The Wildcats got some big-time wins last season in the non-conference slate over teams like Duke and Gonzaga, but the schedule is going to get a lot tougher this season.

Let's take a look at Kentucky's three toughest non-conference games.

Kentucky Basketball's Three Toughest Non-Conference Games

1. St. John's

Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino during the first half of a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Kentucky will be taking on St John's in what will be one of the most highly anticipated games of the season, as Pope will take on Rick Pitino. This season, the Red Storm are going to have a top-five team preseason, so it won't be easy for the Wildcats to win this game in Atlanta. Coach Pope has been working hard to make this game happen, and it will finally happen.

2. Louisville

Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey calls to his team during the second half against the Creighton Bluejays in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images / Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

As much as it will pain Kentucky fans to say the Louisville Cardinals under second-year coach Pat Kelsey have a team that looks to be excellent. Via the transfer portal, Kelsey loaded up the backcourt for the Cardinals, and many expect this team to be in the top five to start the season. Knowing this game is going to be played in the KFC Yum Center will make it even tougher for the Wildcats to win.

3. Michigan State

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo exits the court after 70-64 loss to Auburn at the Elite Eight round of NCAA tournament at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Ga. on Sunday, March 30, 2025. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Wildcats will take on Michigan State in the State Farm Classic in Madison Square Garden in November. The Spartans are returning a lot of solid pieces from their Elite Eight team from last season, which will make this a tough matchup for Mark Pope against Tom Izzo.

*Kentucky's ACC/SEC Challenge opponent could change these rankings upon release.