Shockers land marquee road game at Kentucky on Black Friday

Wichita State is adding a major challenge to its 2026-27 non-conference schedule, with the Shockers set to travel to Kentucky on Black Friday.

Wichita State will face the Wildcats on Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, at Rupp Arena in Lexington. Tip time and television information will be announced later.

Kentucky is 2-0 all-time against Wichita State, with both meetings coming in the NCAA Tournament. The most recent matchup was in 2017, while the most memorable came in 2014, when the No. 1-seeded Shockers suffered their first loss of the season to Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament's second round, ending Wichita State's bid for an undefeated season.

The Shockers enter the 2026-27 season after winning 24 games and making their second straight postseason appearance. Wichita State has increased its win total in each of head coach Paul Mills' first three seasons. Mills has 58 wins at Wichita State, the second-most by a head coach in program history through his first three seasons.

Expectations are high for the upcoming season, with 10 players returning from last year's team. That group includes American Conference Sixth Man of the Year Will Berg, along with Dillon Battie, TJ Williams and Michael Gray Jr.

Kentucky is led by third-year head coach Mark Pope. The Wildcats return five players from last season's NCAA Tournament team, including Braydon Hawthorne, Malachi Moreno, Trent Noah, Reece Potter and Kam Williams.

Kentucky also adds six transfers, highlighted by Milan Momcilovic. The former Iowa State standout led the nation in 3-point shooting last season, averaging 16.9 points per game while setting a school record with 136 made 3-pointers and shooting 48.7% from beyond the arc.

Season tickets for Wichita State's 2026-27 season are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets at GoShockers.com/Tickets, by calling 316-978-FANS (3267) or at the Shocker Ticket Office inside Charles Koch Arena, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Listen to games on KEYN Radio.