Here’s what we know so far about Kentucky’s non-conference women’s basketball schedule

The newest members of the Kentucky women’s basketball team — freshmen Jordy Griggs and Janae Walker and Tennessee transfer Brooklynn Miles — have arrived on campus, marking a milestone in a new season for the program.

With the planned renovations to Memorial Coliseum, the Wildcats will relocate their games to one of a few possible locations, with Rupp Arena being billed as the team’s “new home.”

And while we most likely won’t see an official schedule anytime soon, there are a few things we do know ahead of the 2023-24 season that have been confirmed by the Herald-Leader and/or announced by UK regarding the non-conference schedule.

PARADISE JAM

Last year, the Wildcats celebrated Thanksgiving in the Bahamas while participating in the Baha Mar Hoops Pink Flamingo Championship, which pitted the team against worthy challengers Virginia Tech and Dayton.

Once again, the team will spend the end of November on an island. This time, in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam, the team announced via social media on June 12. At Paradise Jam, UK is set to face a pair of recent NCAA Tournament teams and another opponent from just across the Ohio River.

Nov. 23: Kentucky vs. N.C. State at 3:15 p.m. EST.

Nov. 24: Kentucky vs. Colorado at 1 p.m. EST.

Nov. 25: Cincinnati vs. Kentucky at 3:15 p.m. EST.

The Paradise Jam is hosted at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas and will feature two round-robin “tournaments” on Thanksgiving weekend. Kentucky will face the Wolfpack, the Buffaloes and the Bearcats in the “Island Tournament,” while Arizona State, High Point, Texas and South Florida face off in the “Reef Tournament.”

This will be the Wildcats’ fourth time competing in the event, and it’s the first time since 2018 when UK was named tournament champion after victories over South Florida, UCLA and North Carolina.

CLOSED SCRIMMAGE

The Herald-Leader has learned that, on Saturday, Oct. 28, Ohio State will travel to Lexington for a closed scrimmage in the Joe Craft Center Practice facility, with the location and date subject to change to Rupp Arena. This is the first game in a home-and-home closed scrimmage agreement, with the Wildcats locked in to play at the Buckeyes’ facility during the 2024-25 season.

The game will mark former impact freshman Kennedy Cambridge’s return to Lexington after her transfer to Ohio State at the end of May. The last time the Wildcats played Ohio State, UK fell 82-68 to the Buckeyes at Memorial Coliseum in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

NON-CONFERENCE MATCHUPS

The Herald-Leader has also learned about several non-conference games on the Wildcats’ 2023-24 schedule.

UK will host Division II Kentucky State on Nov. 1 in Rupp Arena. Kentucky State is guaranteed 50 complimentary tickets and $5,000 in exchange for the exhibition game.

On Nov. 7, East Tennessee State will look to even its all-time series against UK (which it trails 2-1) with a matchup set in Lexington. Per the game contract obtained by the Herald-Leader, the specific location of ETSU-UK is to be determined. Also detailed in the contract is UK’s agreement to furnish ETSU 50 complimentary tickets, a fixed sum of $22,000 and up to 15 hotel rooms for one night not exceeding a total cost of $3,000.

Days later, UK will host South Carolina Upstate on Nov. 11. That game’s location is also to be determined. The Wildcats lead the all-time series against USC Upstate 3-0, with the most recent matchup being a 67-44 victory in December 2021 at Memorial Coliseum. USC Upstate is guaranteed 50 complimentary tickets, the opportunity to purchase 50 additional tickets and a fixed sum of $25,000.

On Nov. 14, Austin Peay will play in Lexington in exchange for 50 complimentary tickets, the opportunity to purchase 50 more and a fixed sum of $25,000.

UK will travel to Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., for a game against Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 19 and complete the home-and-home agreement which began with a 69-63 UK loss at Memorial Coliseum on Dec. 18 last season. The all-time series between UK and FGCU is tied 1-1.

On Dec. 3, UK will host Tennessee Tech in exchange for 50 complimentary tickets, the opportunity to purchase 50 more, and Tennessee Tech’s receiving of $25,000. UK leads the all-time series 9-6.

UK will host Minnesota in Lexington on Dec. 6. The two Power Five programs also met last season when the Wildcats won 80-74 in Minneapolis.

The Wildcats will battle Louisville in the annual rivalry game. After last year’s matchup in Rupp Arena, an 86-72 loss, UK will travel to the KFC Yum Center on Dec. 10 for an opportunity to earn its first win against the Cardinals since 2015.

On Dec. 17, UK will host Furman in exchange for 50 complimentary tickets, the opportunity to purchase 50 additional tickets and $25,000. The Wildcats hold an all-time series record of 1-0 against the Paladins.

On Dec. 21, UK will welcome Lipscomb, against whom UK owns an all-time series record of 2-0. Lipscomb is guaranteed 50 complimentary tickets, the opportunity to purchase 50 additional tickets and $25,000.

On Dec. 31, the Wildcats will end 2023 with a home game against Samford. With this game, Samford is guaranteed 50 complimentary tickets, the opportunity to purchase 50 additional tickets and $25,000.

WHEN WILL WE KNOW MORE?

Last season, the Southeastern Conference announced its women’s basketball schedules in August, and UK dropped its non-conference dates at the end of September. This season’s timelines should be similar.

Season tickets for UK women’s basketball’s 2023-24 season are available for purchase via Ticketmaster.

Those looking to renew their season tickets ahead of the 2023-24 season may do so via Ticketmaster, also.

2023-24 UK women’s basketball schedule

Known non-conference games as of June 19 (dates subject to change until complete schedule is officially announced):

Nov. 1: KENTUCKY STATE-1

Nov 7: EAST TENNESSEE STATE

Nov. 11: SOUTH CAROLINA UPSTATE

Nov. 14: AUSTIN PEAY

Nov. 19: At Florida Gulf Coast

Nov. 23: North Carolina State-2

Nov. 24: Colorado-2

Nov. 25: Cincinnati-2

Dec. 3: TENNESSEE TECH

Dec. 6: MINNESOTA

Dec. 10: At Louisville

Dec. 17: FURMAN

Dec. 21: LIPSCOMB

Dec. 31: SAMFORD

1-Exhibition game; 2-U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam at St. Thomas.

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