Justin McBride’s return to Rupp Arena comes fast.
The senior forward spent last season at James Madison, where he put together a strong 2025-26 campaign that ended with third-team All-Sun Belt honors. McBride averaged 15.3 points per game, second on the team, and grabbed 5.6 rebounds a night, which tied for the team lead. He also became the first JMU player in six seasons to average 15 points and five rebounds per game.
After that, he entered the transfer portal and eventually landed at Kentucky. Tonight, in just his second game in a Wildcats uniform, he’ll line up against the Dukes and his old program.
Mark Pope isn’t expecting the matchup to turn McBride into some extra-fueled storyline once the ball goes up.
“In this time and age in college basketball, I feel like every night we’re going to play against somebody that we either coached or (one of our current players) was playing for that other team (previously),” said Pope, in his third season as UK’s coach. “It’s just the way that this works.
So that’s pretty normal. I don’t think there will be a big adjustment.”
Kentucky comes in at 1-0 and ranked 23rd in both the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and the Associated Press Top 25. James Madison, meanwhile, is trying to recover after opening its 2026-27 season with a home loss to Miami (Ohio). The Dukes are projected to finish second in the Sun Belt this year.
Pope had plenty of praise for James Madison coach Preston Spradlin, a Pikeville native and former Wildcats graduate assistant and director of operations.
“Preston Spradlin is one of the great human beings in the coaching profession,” Pope said. “He’s a heck of a coach, man - he’s a big-time coach.
He’s a better person. ... I really admire him.
I’m excited he’s coming to the gym.”
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Rupp Arena.
Tom Leach and Jack Givens will have the radio call on the UK network, with coverage on 840 AM in Louisville and 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington. The broadcast is also available online through UKAthletics.com.
BetMGM listed Kentucky as a 24.5-point favorite Friday, Nov. 6, with an over/under of 156.5. The moneyline had Kentucky at -10000 and James Madison at +2200.
Kentucky’s 2026-27 schedule already includes a heavy early stretch after tonight’s game, with matchups against Kansas, Northern Arizona, Grambling State, Indiana, Wichita State, Virginia, Appalachian State, Bryant, Louisville, North Carolina, Sacred Heart and Gardner-Webb before the calendar turns to January. The SEC slate follows with road trips to Oklahoma, Missouri, Mississippi State, Texas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia and Vanderbilt, plus home dates with Ole Miss, LSU, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Arkansas, Auburn and Texas A&M.
The Wildcats’ roster for the season includes Zoom Diallo, Braydon Hawthorne, Zyon Hawthorne, Franck Kepnang, Justin McBride, Milan Momcilovic, Malachi Moreno, Jerone Morton, Ousmane N’Diaye, Trent Noah, Reece Potter, Alex Wilkins, Kam Williams and Mason Williams.
In Other News...
Kentucky Heads Into Tennessee With One Big Availability Concern
The SEC Availability Report for Kentuckys trip to Tennessee has been updated, and it gives the Wildcats a clearer picture of who will and wont be available heading into a rivalry game that already carries plenty of weight. Kentucky did get one player moved up to probable, which is at least a small sign of progress as the team continues to work through a list of long-term injuries that have thinned the roster.
Tennessees report brings its own set of concerns, with multiple long-term injuries and several starters already ruled out for the season. For Kentucky, the bigger question is how much the latest availability shift changes the rotation and whether the Wildcats can absorb the absences well enough to stay competitive in a game where depth and health may matter as much as anything else. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Gets One More Clue About Mark Pope Before Bigger Tests
Preston Spradlins return to Lexington adds a little extra texture to a game Kentucky is expected to handle comfortably. The former Wildcats assistant now leads James Madison, a program that has established itself as one of the stronger teams in the Sun Belt, so this is not just a nostalgia visit for an old staff hand. It is also another early look at how Mark Popes group is settling in before the schedule gets tougher.
Pope has already made one notable roster decision by ending recruiting efforts with two five-star prospects after adding a new center, a sign the front office is focused on the pieces already in place. For Kentucky, the bigger picture is less about one December-like matchup and more about how the coach balances evaluation, development and the realities of a roster that may be largely set. Games like this can still offer a useful read, even if the betting line suggests the Wildcats should be in control. [Read more 🡒]
Lance Heard Is Giving Kentucky Fans One More Reason To Watch Tennessee
Lance Heard has given Kentucky fans a fresh reason to keep an eye on Tennessee, even with the rivalry game still ahead. The Wildcats offensive lineman was named one of 12 semifinalists for the 2026 Lombardi Award and is also on the Outland Trophy watch list, recognition that reflects just how steady he has been this season.
Heard has logged 461 snaps and drawn praise for both his performance and the way he has carried himself inside the program. Coach Will Stein has singled out Heards leadership and overall impact heading into Kentuckys matchup with Tennessee, adding another layer to a game that already carries plenty of weight for the Wildcats. [Read more 🡒]