The Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team is set to host the Purdue Boilermakers in a high-profile exhibition game at Rupp Arena on Friday, October 24, 2025. This matchup, enabled by newly adopted NCAA rules permitting Division I programs to play preseason exhibitions, will not count toward official season records or statistics .
Purdue enters the game as a projected top-five team, bolstered by the return of All-American guard Braden Smith. Smith made history in the 2024–25 season by recording over 500 points, 300 assists, and 150 rebounds—a feat previously matched only by Ja Morant—and became the first Big Ten player to achieve 300 assists in a single season . Under veteran head coach Matt Painter, now in his 21st season with a 496–220 record, Purdue has reached the NCAA Sweet 16 in eight instances and secured 16 tournament berths over the past 18 seasons .
This exhibition game is expected to serve as a significant early test for Kentucky, potentially featuring two preseason top-10 teams. While the game won’t impact regular-season records, it offers both teams an opportunity to assess their rosters against elite competition ahead of the 2025–26 season .
Game time and broadcast details will be announced at a later date. Fans can anticipate an exciting atmosphere at Rupp Arena as these two storied programs face off in a rare exhibition meeting.