UK Men's Basketball Faces No. 25 Tennessee at Rupp Arena

Fans have multiple ways to tune in to the SEC matchup between the Wildcats and Volunteers.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 9:47am

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The University of Kentucky men's basketball team will host the 25th-ranked University of Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Fans have several options to watch, listen to, and follow the SEC conference matchup between the two programs.

Why it matters

This is an important early-season SEC game for both teams as they look to establish themselves in the conference standings. Kentucky is seeking to bounce back after a tough loss, while Tennessee is aiming to prove its national ranking on the road.

The details

The game will tip off at 1:00 PM EST and will be televised nationally on CBS. Fans can also listen to the radio broadcast on the UK Sports Network. In addition, real-time updates and analysis will be provided on the official Kentucky and Tennessee athletics websites, as well as on social media platforms.

  • The game will tip off at 1:00 PM EST on Saturday, February 6, 2026.

The players

Mark Pope

The head coach of the University of Kentucky men's basketball team.

Rick Barnes

The head coach of the University of Tennessee men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“This is a big SEC matchup that our fans are really looking forward to. We know Tennessee is a tough opponent, but we're excited to compete at home in front of our crowd.”

— Mark Pope, Head Coach, University of Kentucky Men's Basketball

“Kentucky is always a formidable challenge, especially at Rupp Arena. We're preparing our team to be ready for a tough road environment and a hard-fought game.”

— Rick Barnes, Head Coach, University of Tennessee Men's Basketball

What’s next

After this game, Kentucky will continue its SEC schedule with a home matchup against Vanderbilt on February 13th, while Tennessee will return home to host Alabama on February 10th.

The takeaway

This SEC showdown between two of the conference's top programs promises to be an exciting and competitive game for fans to follow. Both teams will be looking to gain an early advantage in the SEC standings with a win on Saturday.