Indiana Basketball Game Preview: Kentucky – key storyline, injury report, how to watch

Indiana basketball renews one of college basketball’s best rivalries with a non-conference showdown against Kentucky on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena. Dave O’Brien, Dick Vitale, and Charles Barkley are scheduled to be on the call. 

Kentucky (6-4) is under the direction of second-year head coach Mark Pope, a captain on the 1996 NCAA Champion UK team. The Wildcats boast a deep lineup with 11 players that average at least 16.0 minutes per night and five that provide at least 10.0 points per outing. Kentucky has scored 85.5 points per game, grabbed 42.1 boards per night, and out-rebounded its opponents by an average of 8.8 per outing.

Preseason All-American and senior guard Otega Oweh has put up 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. Senior guard Denzel Aberdeen (12.4 points), junior forward Mouhamed Dioubate (11.6 points, 5.8 rebounds), sophomore guard Collin Chandler (11.2 points, 23 made 3-pointers), and freshman center Malachi Moreno (10.1 points, 7.1 rebounds) all score in double figures. 

Below is the full preview.

(On3+): Scouting Notes – Kentucky

Key Storyline for Indiana basketball

The Indiana-Kentucky series is back, massive opportunity for the Hoosiers

After nearly a decade of waiting, the Indiana and Kentucky basketball rivalry is back for at least the next four years, starting tonight at Rupp arena. Regardless of where each program is at currently in the college landscape, having one of the greatest rivalries in the sport back on our screens is truly special.

With that part of this game aside, this is a matchup that each program needs to have when it comes to getting something in the win column. Both teams this season have so far have had some opportunities to get quality wins, but have not fully lived up to the potential.

There has been a lot of talk about Kentucky especially when it comes to their struggles. They have not gotten a win over any team in the top 100 and overall have just not played to the standard that is in their program. They desperately need a win over a team like Indiana and having the Hoosiers in Rupp Arena gives them a major advantage.

Indiana on the other hand is looking for the first marquee win in the Darian DeVries era and going on the road and beating Kentucky could be the one. Regardless of how many struggles that the Wildcats have had this season, winning at Rupp Arena is going to be the hardest task for the Hoosiers this season so far.

Podcast: Talkin’ Bout The Hoosiers Ep. 64 – IU-Kentucky Preview

Matchup History

Indiana trails the all-time series with Kentucky, 25-32. The Hoosiers are 3-8 against the Wildcats in Lexington. The last IU win at UK came in a 75-52 game on Dec. 20, 1988. Big Ten Player of the Year Jay Edwards paced the Hoosier offense with 21 points.

The Hoosiers and Wildcats both rank inside the top 12 historically in victories, NCAA Tournament bids, NCAA Tournament wins, Sweet Sixteen appearances, and Final Four berths. IU and UK are two of the six programs that have won at least five NCAA Division I men’s basketball championships. 

The two sides have not met on either of the campus sites since the infamous Christian Watford buzzer beater on Dec. 10, 2011. IU’s last trip to Lexington came on Dec. 11, 2010. 

Coach Q&A: Darian DeVries previews clash with Kentucky

Indiana basketball Injury Report

Josh Harris – Harris has an ankle/foot injury that has sidelined him most of the fall. Darian DeVries stated on his radio show that he “will be out for awhile.”

Jason Drake – The transfer guard from Drexel has missed nearly all the offseason for Indiana basketball with a lower body injury. He has started to go through pregame warmups so it looking like mid-December for his return.

Jasai Miles – Missed last game due to sickness. He questionable for tonight’s game vs Kentucky.

‘Nothing’s permanent’ but change to starting lineup brought different look to Indiana

Quick Hitters

Who? Indiana basketball (8-2) vs Kentucky (6-4)

When? Dec. 13, 2025 • 7:30 PM ET

Where? Rupp Arena (20,500) • Lexington, Ky.

TV: ESPN (Dave O’Brien, Dick Vitale, Charles Barkley)

Radio: IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, John Herrick)

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