The Kentucky Wildcats were in the final five for 2025 recruit Alijah Arenas, but the top ten guard chose the USC Trojans.

The coaching contract details for Mark Pope at Kentucky and John Calipari at Arkansas ahead of Saturday’s SEC basketball showdown in Rupp Arena.

On a two-game losing streak, Kentucky faces a road trip to Tennessee and then John Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena.

Kentucky point guard Lamont Butler dribbled stealthily along the baseline before turning on a dime back toward the basket, attempting to muster a decent look late in the shot clock. With the No. 9 Wildcats nursing a four-point lead at Vanderbilt and under eight minutes remaining,

Kentucky men's basketball suffered a 74-69 loss on the road to Vanderbilt. In their first year since 2008 without John Calipari coaching, the No. 9 Wildcats have kicked off their conference schedule with a 3-3 record against SEC opponents.

Contrast that success with Calipari’s first Arkansas team, which needed six tries to notch its first SEC win of the year, and Kentucky fans figure to have plenty of ammunition Saturday. The Razorbacks are just 12-8 overall, and their 1-6 start to SEC play has them looking like a long shot for an NCAA Tournament berth.

Coach Rick Pitino gave his take on the rivalry between Kentucky and Louisville under Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey. The St. John's men's basketball coach shared his opinion in a post on X on Wednesday.

Kentucky's Ansley Almonor and Koby Brea, forced into the starting lineup because of key injuries, helped lead the Cats past host Tennessee on Tuesday.

The No. 8 Vols will host the No. 12 Wildcats on Tuesday, but this matchup is different from years past. For the first time in 15 years, John Calipari will

Both the Arkansas and Kentucky programs have three signees in the 2025 class, and both will bring in five-star talent later this year. The Hogs and Wildcats also both have at least one McDonald’s All-American as part of their respective 2025 recruiting groups.

Since hitting his season best, 23 points and seven 3-pointers, in a win against Florida in the conference opener on Jan. 4, Koby Brea struggled to find his shooting stroke, hitting just 7 of 26 attempts from deep before Kentucky’s win against rival Tennessee on Tuesday night.