2023–24 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball | |
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Conference | Southeastern Conference |
Ranking | |
Coaches | No. 10 |
AP | No. 8 |
Record | 12–3 (2–1 SEC) |
Head coach |
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Assistant coaches |
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Home arena | Rupp Arena |
Conf | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | W | L | PCT | W | L | PCT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 13 Auburn | 3 | – | 0 | 1.000 | 14 | – | 2 | .875 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alabama | 3 | – | 0 | 1.000 | 11 | – | 5 | .688 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 22 Ole Miss | 2 | – | 1 | .667 | 15 | – | 1 | .938 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
South Carolina | 2 | – | 1 | .667 | 14 | – | 2 | .875 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 8 Kentucky | 2 | – | 1 | .667 | 12 | – | 3 | .800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
No. 6 Tennessee | 2 | – | 1 | .667 | 12 | – | 4 | .750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Georgia | 2 | – | 1 | .667 | 12 | – | 4 | .750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LSU | 2 | – | 1 | .667 | 10 | – | 6 | .625 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mississippi State | 1 | – | 2 | .333 | 12 | – | 4 | .750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Florida | 1 | – | 2 | .333 | 11 | – | 5 | .688 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Texas A&M | 1 | – | 2 | .333 | 10 | – | 6 | .625 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Arkansas | 0 | – | 3 | .000 | 9 | – | 7 | .563 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Missouri | 0 | – | 3 | .000 | 8 | – | 8 | .500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vanderbilt | 0 | – | 3 | .000 | 5 | – | 11 | .313 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
† 2024 SEC tournament winner As of January 13, 2024 Rankings from AP Poll |
The 2023–24 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represents the University of Kentucky during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Wildcats, who are founding members of the Southeastern Conference, play their home games at Rupp Arena, and are led by John Calipari in his 15th season as head coach for the Wildcats.
Previous season
The Wildcats finished the 2022–23 season finished the season with a record of 21–10, 12–6 in SEC play to finish in third place in the SEC. As the number three seed in the SEC tournament, they would be upset in the quarterfinal round by Vanderbilt. They would go on to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they would go on to defeat Providence in the first round before falling to Kansas State in the second round to finish the season with an overall record of 22–12.
Offseason
Departures
Name | Number | Pos. | Height | Weight | Year | Hometown | Reason for departure |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jacob Toppin | 0 | F | 6'9" | 205 | Senior | Brooklyn, NY | Declared for 2023 NBA draft |
CJ Fredrick | 1 | F | 6'3" | 185 | RS Senior | Cincinnati, OH | Transferred to Cincinnati |
Sahvir Wheeler | 2 | G | 5'9" | 180 | Senior | Houston, TX | Transferd to Washington |
Daimion Collins | 4 | F | 6'9" | 210 | Sophomore | Atlanta, TX | Transferred to LSU |
Cason Wallace | 22 | G | 6'4" | 193 | Freshman | Dallas, TX | Declared for 2023 NBA draft |
Chris Livingston | 24 | F | 6'6" | 220 | Freshman | Akron, OH | Declared for 2023 NBA draft |
Oscar Tshiebwe | 34 | F | 6'9" | 260 | Senior | Lubumbashi, DR Congo | Declared for 2023 NBA draft |
Lance Ware | 55 | F | 6'9" | 235 | Junior | Camden, NJ | Transferred to Villanova[1] |
Class of 2023 commitments
On November 20, 2021, Reed Sheppard verbally committed to UK over multiple offers, with Louisville and Virginia among the most active in attempting to recruit him. The son of former UK basketball players Jeff Sheppard and the former Stacey Reed, he was the first commitment to the 2023 recruiting class. At the time of his commitment, he was the #3 ranked combo guard in the 2023 class by 247 Sports.[2] On November 14, 2022, D. J. Wagner, ranked as the top point guard in the class by ESPN and Rivals, committed to the University Of Kentucky, deciding over Louisville.[3]
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reed Sheppard SG |
London, KY | North Laurel (KY) | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Nov 20, 2021 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 89 | ||||||
Rob Dillingham PG |
Simi Valley, CA | Donda Academy (CA) | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | Jun 24, 2022 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 95 | ||||||
Justin Edwards SF |
Philadelphia, PA | Imhotep Institute (PA) | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | Jul 25, 2022 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 91 | ||||||
Ugonna Kingsley C |
Owerri, Nigeria | Putnam Science Academy (CT) | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) | 220 lb (100 kg) | Aug 1, 2022 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 89 | ||||||
Aaron Bradshaw C |
Roselle, NJ | Camden (NJ) | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | Oct 14, 2022 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 94 | ||||||
D. J. Wagner PG |
Camden, NJ | Camden (NJ) | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Nov 14, 2022 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 96 | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: | ||||||
Sources:
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Class of 2024 commitments
Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Somto Cyril C |
Enugu, Nigeria | Overtime Elite (GA) | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) | 240 lb (110 kg) | Jun 28, 2023 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 87 | ||||||
Boogie Fland CG |
White Plains, NY | Archbishop Stepinac (NY) | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Oct 20, 2023 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 90 | ||||||
Travis Perry PG |
Eddyville, KY | Lyon County (KY) | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | Nov 12, 2023 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 83 | ||||||
Jayden Quaintance C |
Cleveland, OH | Word of God Christian Academy (NC) | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | 230 lb (100 kg) | Nov 14, 2023 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 91 | ||||||
Billy Richmond SF |
Memphis, TN | Camden (NJ) | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Dec 21, 2023 | |
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 88 | ||||||
Overall recruiting rankings: | ||||||
Sources:
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Roster
2023–24 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Schedule and results
Date time, TV |
Rank# | Opponent# | Result | Record | High points | High rebounds | High assists | Site (attendance) city, state | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Exhibition | |||||||||||
July 12, 2023* 1:30 p.m., CBSSN |
vs. Germany | W 81–73 | – |
24 – Reeves | 9 – Edwards | 6 – Tied | Mattamy Athletic Centre Toronto, Ontario | ||||
July 13, 2023* 8:00 p.m., CBSSN |
vs. Canada | W 93–69 | – |
23 – Reeves | 6 – Tied | 9 – Dillingham | Mattamy Athletic Centre Toronto, Ontario | ||||
July 15, 2023* 1:30 p.m., CBSSN |
vs. Africa | W 104–92 | – |
27 – Reeves | 8 – Mitchell | 8 – Sheppard | Mattamy Athletic Centre Toronto, Ontario | ||||
July 16, 2023* 8:00 p.m., CBSSN |
vs. Canada Gold Medal game |
W 89–72 | – |
23 – Edwards | 11 – Mitchell | 6 – Wagner | Mattamy Athletic Centre Toronto, Ontario | ||||
October 27, 2023* 7:00 p.m., SECN |
No. 16 | Georgetown (KY) | W 92–69 | – |
22 – Mitchell | 9 – Mitchell | 5 – Dillingham | Rupp Arena (18,454) Lexington, KY | |||
November 2, 2023* 7:00 p.m., SECN+/ESPN+ |
No. 16 | Kentucky State | W 99–53 | – |
20 – Reeves | 10 – Mitchell | 7 – Wagner | Rupp Arena (18,739) Lexington, KY | |||
Regular season | |||||||||||
November 6, 2023* 8:00 p.m., SECN |
No. 16 | New Mexico State | W 86–46 | 1–0 |
17 – Dillingham | 9 – Mitchell | 5 – Mitchell | Rupp Arena (18,438) Lexington, KY | |||
November 10, 2023* 7:00 p.m., SECN+/ESPN+ |
No. 16 | Texas A&M–Commerce Wildcat Challenge |
W 81–61 | 2–0 |
21 – Reeves | 8 – Mitchell | 4 – Dillingham | Rupp Arena (19,646) Lexington, KY | |||
November 14, 2023* 9:30 p.m., ESPN |
No. 17 | vs. No. 1 Kansas Champions Classic |
L 84–89 | 2–1 |
24 – Reeves | 12 – Thiero | 3 – Tied | United Center (18,780) Chicago, IL | |||
November 17, 2023* 7:00 p.m., SECN+/ESPN+ |
No. 17 | Stonehill Wildcat Challenge |
W 101–67 | 3–1 |
25 – Sheppard | 5 – Tied | 7 – Tied | Rupp Arena (18,960) Lexington, KY | |||
November 20, 2023* 7:00 p.m., SECN |
No. 16 | Saint Joseph's Wildcat Challenge |
W 96–88 OT | 4–1 |
22 – Tied | 6 – Mitchell | 6 – Tied | Rupp Arena (18,680) Lexington, KY | |||
November 24, 2023* 7:00 p.m., SECN |
No. 16 | Marshall | W 118–82 | 5–1 |
28 – Wagner | 7 – Tied | 8 – Dillingham | Rupp Arena (20,246) Lexington, KY | |||
November 28, 2023* 7:30 p.m., ESPN |
No. 12 | No. 8 Miami (FL) ACC–SEC Challenge |
W 95–73 | 6–1 |
21 – Sheppard | 6 – Thiero | 9 – Dillingham | Rupp Arena (20,119) Lexington, KY | |||
December 2, 2023* 4:00 p.m., SECN |
No. 12 | UNC Wilmington | L 73–80 | 6–2 |
25 – Sheppard | 9 – Sheppard | 6 – Sheppard | Rupp Arena (19,990) Lexington, KY | |||
December 9, 2023* 12:00 p.m., ESPN2 |
No. 16 | vs. Penn Malone's Classic |
W 81–66 | 7–2 |
17 – Tied | 11 – Bradshaw | 7 – Wagner | Wells Fargo Center (9,007) Philadelphia, PA | |||
December 16, 2023* 5:30 p.m., CBS |
No. 14 | vs. No. 9 North Carolina CBS Sports Classic/Rivalry |
W 87–83 | 8–2 |
17 – Dillingham | 6 – Tied | 5 – Wagner | State Farm Arena (17,058) Atlanta, GA | |||
December 21, 2023* 6:00 p.m., ESPN |
No. 9 | at Louisville Rivalry |
W 95–76 | 9–2 |
30 – Reeves | 12 – Mitchell | 11 – Sheppard | KFC Yum! Center (17,293) Louisville, KY | |||
December 29, 2023* 7:00 p.m., SECN |
No. 8 | Illinois State | W 96–70 | 10–2 |
27 – Reeves | 11 – Mitchell | 7 – Dillingham | Rupp Arena (20,659) Lexington, KY | |||
January 6, 2024 12:30 p.m., ESPN |
No. 6 | at Florida Rivalry |
W 87–85 | 11–2 (1–0) |
19 – Reeves | 10 – Mitchell | 3 – Wagner | O'Connell Center (10,106) Gainesville, FL | |||
January 9, 2024 7:00 p.m., ESPN |
No. 6 | Missouri | W 90–77 | 12–2 (2–0) |
23 – Dillingham | 14 – Mitchell | 4 – Sheppard | Rupp Arena (20,086) Lexington, KY | |||
January 13, 2024 2:00 p.m., ESPN |
No. 6 | at Texas A&M | L 92–97 OT | 12–3 (2–1) |
22 – Reeves | 13 – Mitchell | 6 – Mitchell | Reed Arena (9,540) College Station, TX | |||
January 17, 2024 7:00 p.m., ESPN2 |
No. 8 | Mississippi State | Rupp Arena Lexington, KY | ||||||||
January 20, 2024 6:00 p.m., SECN |
No. 8 | Georgia | Rupp Arena Lexington, KY | ||||||||
January 23, 2024 7:00 p.m., SECN |
at South Carolina | Colonial Life Arena Columbia, SC | |||||||||
January 27, 2024 6:00 p.m., ESPN |
at Arkansas | Bud Walton Arena Fayetteville, AR | |||||||||
January 31, 2024 8:00 p.m., ESPN |
Florida Rivalry |
Rupp Arena Lexington, KY | |||||||||
February 3, 2024 8:30 p.m., ESPN |
Tennessee Rivalry |
Rupp Arena Lexington, KY | |||||||||
February 6, 2024 8:30 p.m., SECN |
at Vanderbilt | Memorial Gymnasium Nashville, TN | |||||||||
February 10, 2024* 4:00 p.m., CBS |
Gonzaga | Rupp Arena Lexington, KY | |||||||||
February 13, 2024 9:00 p.m., ESPN |
Ole Miss | Rupp Arena Lexington, KY | |||||||||
February 17, 2024 6:00 p.m., ESPN |
at Auburn | Neville Arena Auburn, AL | |||||||||
February 21, 2024 9:00 p.m., ESPN |
at LSU | Pete Maravich Assembly Center Baton Rouge, LA | |||||||||
February 24, 2024 4:00 p.m., CBS |
Alabama | Rupp Arena Lexington, KY | |||||||||
February 27, 2024 7:00 p.m., ESPN |
at Mississippi State | Humphrey Coliseum Starkville, MS | |||||||||
March 2, 2024 1:30 p.m., CBS |
Arkansas | Rupp Arena Lexington, KY | |||||||||
March 6, 2024 9:00 p.m., SECN |
Vanderbilt | Rupp Arena Lexington, KY | |||||||||
March 9, 2024 4:00 p.m., CBS |
at Tennessee Rivalry |
Thompson–Boling Arena Knoxville, TN | |||||||||
SEC tournament | |||||||||||
March 13–17, 2024 TBA |
vs. TBA | Bridgestone Arena Nashville, TN | |||||||||
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses. All times are in Eastern Time. |
Rankings
Week | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Final |
AP | 16 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | Not released | ||||||||
Coaches | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 17 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings.
References
- ↑ Black, Ryan. "Kentucky basketball roster 2023-24 watch: Forward Lance Ware commits to Villanova". Louisville Courier Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ↑ Borzello, Jeff; Biancardi, Paul (November 20, 2021). "Reed Sheppard, No. 37 men's basketball prospect in 2023, commits to Kentucky Wildcats". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
- ↑ "No. 1-ranked recruit Wagner chooses Kentucky". ESPN.com. November 14, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
- ↑ Roberts, Ben. "What's going on with Kentucky's 2023-24 basketball schedule? Here's the latest". Lexington Herald Leader. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
- ↑ Thompson, Tyler. "ACC/SEC Challenge may make Kentucky's 2023-24 schedule one of its best". On3.com. Retrieved June 4, 2023.