Kentucky vs. Penn tickets go on sale next week
The Big Blue Nation is focused on football right now, but basketball will be here sooner than you think. Tickets for Kentucky vs. Penn at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadephia go on sale next Thursday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. ET on Ticketmaster. The game takes place on Saturday, Dec. 9. Tipoff is set for Noon ET and it will air on ESPN2.
The game, which is being billed as the “Phila Challenge,” will serve as a homecoming of sorts for several Kentucky Wildcats. Justin Edwards hails from Philly, while DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, and Kareem Watkins are from Camden, New Jersey, which is just across the Delaware River. Adou Thiero and Tre Mitchell also live in Pennsylvania, albeit across the state in Pittsburgh. Villanova (Lance Ware‘s new team) and UCLA also face off on the same day at the Wells Fargo Center, details of which have yet to be announced.
“Having the chance to play in a sports-crazed city like Philadelphia and against one of the all-time winningest programs in college basketball is a tremendous opportunity for our program and our fans,” John Calipari said in a release from bdGlobal Sports, the event promoter. “It’s been a while since we’ve played in the Philly area, so I’m excited for D.J., Aaron, Justin, and Kareem to be able to play close to home.”
Steve Donahue is entering his eighth season as Penn’s head coach. Last season, the Quakers finished 17-13, 9-5 in Ivy League play. Their last NCA Tournament appearance came in 2018 when they lost to No. 4 seed Kansas in the first round. Penn’s top player, Ivy League Player of the Year Jordan Dingle, transferred to St. John’s in May.
“We love to put our guys in a position to make memories, and this game at Wells Fargo Center—our second in as many weekends at that venue—against the NCAA’s second-winningest program will certainly do that,” Donahue said. “We are happy to welcome Coach Calipari back to the Keystone State, and of course we expect a great crowd with so many local players on both rosters. We are giving our team the chance to write an indelible chapter in Penn’s incredible men’s basketball history this season, and this game can certainly help them make their mark.”
Kentucky and Penn have played five times (1967, 1968, 1990, 1998, and 2011), with the Wildcats leading the series 5-0. The two teams most recently met in Jan. 2011 when No. 10 Kentucky beat Penn by 24 points, 86-62. Kentucky last played in Philadelphia in 2006 in the NCAA Tournament First and Second Rounds.
Kentucky’s 2023-24 Non-Conference Schedule
Last week, Kentucky unveiled its 2023-24 non-conference schedule. The game vs. Penn comes a week before the Cats play North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta.
- Nov. 6: vs. New Mexico State | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Nov. 10 vs. Texas A&M University-Commerce | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Nov. 14: vs. Kansas | Champions Classic | United Center, Chicago, IL
- Nov. 17: vs. Stonehill | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Nov. 20: vs. St. Joseph’s | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Nov. 24: vs. Marshall | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Nov. 28: vs. Miami | ACC/SEC Challenge | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Dec. 2: vs. UNC Wilmington | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Dec. 9 vs. Penn | Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
- Dec. 16: vs. North Carolina | CBS Sports Classic | State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
- Dec. 21 at Louisville | KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
- Dec. 29 vs. Illinois State | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Feb. 10: vs. Gonzaga | Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
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