Kentucky Basketball Breaks Out Retro Uniforms Against Tennessee

The Wildcats will wear throwback jerseys from the 1995-96 season for Saturday's matchup.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 9:23am

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Kentucky Basketball will be wearing retro uniforms from the 1995-1996 season for its home game against Tennessee on Saturday night in Rupp Arena. The white uniforms feature 'Kentucky' in large font across the middle with the number underneath, and the shorts have a large denim stripe on the sides that widens near the bottom, with an old-school UK basketball logo on the side.

Why it matters

This is the second matchup between the Wildcats and Volunteers this season, with Kentucky looking to avenge its earlier loss to Tennessee in Knoxville. The retro uniforms add an extra layer of nostalgia and excitement to the rivalry game.

The details

Kentucky teased the throwback uniforms on social media earlier this week, sparking excitement among fans. The Wildcats will be hoping the retro look can help them overcome Tennessee, which has been on a four-game winning streak since the teams' first meeting.

  • Kentucky and Tennessee first faced off on January 17, 2026 in Knoxville.
  • The rematch will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2026 at 8:30 p.m. ET in Lexington.

The players

Kentucky Basketball

The men's basketball team at the University of Kentucky, a powerhouse program that has won numerous national championships.

Tennessee Volunteers

The men's basketball team at the University of Tennessee, a longtime rival of Kentucky and a contender in the SEC.

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What they’re saying

“Starting to feel a little like '96.”

— Kentucky Men's Basketball

What’s next

The winner of Saturday's game will gain an advantage in the SEC standings and potentially improve their NCAA Tournament seeding.

The takeaway

The retro uniform game adds an extra layer of excitement to the Kentucky-Tennessee rivalry, as the Wildcats look to avenge their earlier loss and continue their strong play in the second half of the season.