​It won’t be long before we know the full 2026-27 Kentucky Basketball schedule, but in the meantime we’ll continue to see announcements and reports about who the Wildcats are slated to face next season. According to KSR’s Matt Jones, Kentucky is actively attempting to set up a matchup with the West Virginia Mountaineers on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. The proposed game would be held in Nashville, though negotiations are still underway and a final deal has not been reached.
Jones also noted that Kentucky explored the possibility of playing Illinois in what would have been a blockbuster non-conference clash, but that arrangement ultimately collapsed. The Fighting Illini sit at No. 3 in the Jon Rothstein Preseason 45 ranking, with Kentucky at No. 16 and West Virginia unranked, highlighting the potential star power and competitive dynamics of such a non-conference showdown.
The Mountaineers finished last season with a 21-14 record under head coach Ross Hodge, who took over from Darian DeVries after DeVries’ brief stint in Morgantown before moving on to Indiana. Although West Virginia did not make the NCAA Tournament, the team closed the year on a high note by capturing the College Basketball Crown tournament, defeating Oklahoma 89-82 in overtime in the championship game.
CBS Sports’ Big 12 preseason tiers place West Virginia in the fifth position within the league and designate them as part of the ‘Tournament Team’ tier. The Mountaineers are positioned ahead of programs such as BYU, Baylor, and Texas Tech, signaling a promising but challenging season ahead.
Key offseason additions have significantly shaped West Virginia’s outlook. Butler transfer Finley Bizjack emerged as one of the top shooting guards in the transfer portal, and incoming freshman point guard Miles Sadler – ranked as high as No. 16 overall in ESPN’s class of 2026 – stands out as another pivotal piece to watch. As CBS’ Isaac Trotter observed, “Speed is the first thing you notice about this new-look West Virginia roster. Bizjack and the top-20 freshman Miles Sadler can both hit the gas and leave defenders in the dust.” Trotter adds that Sadler has the talent to contend for Big 12 Freshman of the Year from Day One, with West Virginia ready to give him the ball and unleash his potency on the floor.
The narrative around West Virginia’s new-look lineup continues to emphasize the speed and scoring potential that Sadler and Bizjack bring, complemented by Joson Sanon’s shot-making ability, Mo Sylla’s prowess as a lob threat and shot-blocker, and the offensive spark provided by FSU transfer Martin Somerville off the bench. Sylla’s defensive tools, combined with head coach Ross Hodge’s strong defensive philosophy, could create a formidable on-court dynamic. The combination of on-ball pressure, interior defense, and perimeter shooting positions West Virginia as a difficult non-conference opponent for the Wildcats, even if the Mountaineers aren’t projected to crack the preseason top 25.
In any event, the prospect of Kentucky facing West Virginia on a neutral court remains a tantalizing option for the 2026-27 season, offering a meaningful test early in the schedule and a potential marquee matchup that could help define both programs’ trajectories. As negotiations continue and the schedule becomes clearer, fans can anticipate further updates about this potential Black Friday showdown in Nashville and other intriguing non-conference opportunities that could shape Kentucky’s path to a successful campaign.