Kentucky basketball is back at Rupp Arena on Tuesday, and the Wildcats have already given their fans a few reasons to be excited.

After winning all three exhibition games, No. 23 Kentucky begins the regular season against Manhattan in Lexington. The Wildcats handled Little Rock 69-49, defeated No. 19 Texas Tech 76-65 and needed overtime to get past UCF 90-76. That final exhibition was especially interesting. Kentucky needed a late basket from Alex Wilkins to force overtime before dominating the extra period.

Now comes the first game that actually counts.

Mark Pope has assembled a roster featuring Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic, who averaged 16.7 points during Kentucky’s exhibition schedule. The sharpshooting forward has already shown why he could become one of the Wildcats’ most important offensive players.

Manhattan, meanwhile, is coming off a 12-20 season and faces a difficult assignment against a nationally ranked opponent. The Jaspers have never played Kentucky before, making Tuesday’s visit to one of college basketball’s most famous arenas a memorable way to begin their campaign.

It all starts tonight 😼 pic.twitter.com/jnzzo8Meot

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 3, 2026

How to Watch Manhattan at Kentucky

Day: Tuesday

Start Time: 7 p.m. ET

Location: Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Lexington, Kentucky

TV Channel:SEC Network+ (streaming only)

Live Stream:SEC Network+ through the ESPN app or ESPN.com with an eligible participating TV-provider subscription

Kentucky’s opener will not air on the traditional SEC Network television channel. Fans will need access to SEC Network+ to watch the game live.

Kentucky’s New Scorer Is Already Turning Heads

Momcilovic arrived in Lexington with an impressive shooting resume. During his three seasons at Iowa State, he made nearly 200 three-pointers, including a school-record 136 last season. That performance established him as one of the country’s most dangerous perimeter scorers.

He’s wasted little time showing Kentucky fans what he can do. Momcilovic scored 16 points against Little Rock, added 15 against Texas Tech and finished with 19 against UCF. His ability to stretch defenses could make life considerably easier for Kentucky’s other offensive weapons.

Malachi Moreno also contributed 15 points against Texas Tech, while freshman Mason Williams has provided encouraging production during the preseason. Kentucky has plenty of scoring options. The next challenge is getting them to work together consistently.

Manhattan Gets a Rare Opportunity

For Manhattan coach John Gallagher, opening at Kentucky is the kind of experience that can help prepare his team for conference play. The Jaspers went 12-20 last season and are attempting to take a step forward. Facing a ranked SEC opponent on the road will reveal plenty about their readiness.

Manhattan will need to be disciplined with the basketball and avoid allowing Kentucky to generate easy transition opportunities. The Jaspers also face a significant challenge defending the perimeter, especially with Momcilovic capable of changing a game through his shooting.

Kentucky should have the advantage in depth and talent, but Manhattan has a chance to test itself against one of the sport’s premier programs.

The First Step Toward a Demanding Schedule

Kentucky won’t have much time to settle into the season. After hosting Manhattan and James Madison, the Wildcats will face Kansas in the Champions Classic. An upcoming game against Indiana also highlights a demanding nonconference schedule.

That makes Tuesday an important opportunity to establish offensive chemistry before the competition becomes even more difficult. The Wildcats are expected to win. What’s worth watching is how smoothly Pope’s new-look roster performs now that the regular season has arrived.

Related: Duke’s 17-Year-Old Freshman Could Become College Basketball’s Most Fascinating Newcomer

Related: Florida Returns To Site Of NCAA Tournament Heartbreak As No. 1 Team In College Basketball

This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Source: Yahoo Sports