LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball is off to its first 3-0 start since the 2016-17 season. And the Wildcats are now up to No. 11 in the latest USA TODAY Coaches Poll. As UK prepares to host Lipscomb in a nonconference clash tonight at Rupp Arena, Kentucky coach Mark Pope said there’s “a lot he’s really proud of” so far.

But there’s still so much work left to do.

“Our defensive punches, which is all the different ways that we can kind of change up the texture of the game schematically at a moment’s notice; we’d like to make some progress there,” Pope said. “We’d like to continue growing on the glass on both sides. That’s a real big deal for us. (And) offensively, we’d like to continue to get in a space where our guys are able to pay attention — it becomes part of their DNA — where they’re paying attention to how they’re being guarded and responding accordingly, where it becomes second nature.”

Tonight will be the third meeting between UK and Lipscomb, all since the turn of the millennium. The Wildcats lead the series 2-0. Kentucky won the first matchup, 67-49, on Nov. 14, 2005. In the most recent tilt, UK cruised to an 88-50 win on Dec. 15, 2012.

Follow along below with live updates from Rupp Arena:

The contest between the Wildcats and Bisons will not air on a traditional TV channel.

Instead, it will stream live on SEC Network+. Andrew Kappes (play by play) and Travis Ford (analyst) will have the call.

Authenticated subscribers to SEC Network+ can watch the contest on WatchESPN.com, the WatchESPN app or ESPN+.

Those without access to SEC Network+ can access coverage via a subscription to ESPN+. (To sign up for ESPN+, click here.)

Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.

You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.

Betting odds: Kentucky is a 21.5-point home favorite (-110) on BetMGM, which set the over-under at158.5 points (-110). The money line odds areUK -5000, Lipscomb +1500.

• Oct. 23: exhibition vs. Kentucky Wesleyan ∣ SCORE: Kentucky 123, Kentucky Wesleyan 52
• Oct. 29: exhibition vs. Minnesota State Mankato ∣ SCORE: Kentucky 98, Minnesota State Mankato 67
• Nov. 4: vs. Wright State (Rupp Arena) ∣ SCORE: Kentucky 103, Wright State 62
• Nov. 9: vs. Bucknell (Rupp Arena) ∣ SCORE: Kentucky 100, Bucknell 72
• Nov. 12: vs. Duke (Champions Classic; State Farm Arena, Atlanta) ∣ SCORE: Kentucky 77, Duke 72
• Nov. 19: vs. Lipscomb, (Rupp Arena), 7 p.m., SEC Network+
• Nov. 22: vs. Jackson State (Rupp Arena), 7 p.m., SEC Network+
• Nov. 26: vs. Western Kentucky (Rupp Arena), 6:30 p.m., ESPNU
• Nov. 29: vs. Georgia State (Rupp Arena), 7 p.m., SEC Network
• Dec. 3: at Clemson (ACC/SEC Challenge), 9:30 p.m., ESPN
• Dec. 7: vs. Gonzaga (Climate Pledge Arena; Seattle), Time TBA
• Dec. 11: vs. Colgate (Rupp Arena), 8 p.m., ESPN2
• Dec. 14: vs. Louisville (Rupp Arena), 5:15 p.m., ESPN
• Dec. 21: vs. Ohio State (CBS Sports Classic; Madison Square Garden, New York), 5:30 p.m., CBS
• Dec. 31: vs. Brown (Rupp Arena), 2 p.m., ESPNU
• Jan. 4: vs. Florida (Rupp Arena), 11 a.m., ESPN
• Jan. 7: at Georgia, 7 p.m., SEC Network
• Jan. 11: at Mississippi State, 8:30 p.m., SEC Network
• Jan. 14: vs. Texas A&M (Rupp Arena), 7 p.m., ESPN2/ESPNU
• Jan. 18: vs. Alabama (Rupp Arena), noon, ESPN
• Jan. 25: at Vanderbilt, 2:30 p.m., ESPN/2
• Jan. 28: at Tennessee, 7 p.m., ESPN
• Feb. 1: vs. Arkansas (Rupp Arena), 9 p.m., ESPN
• Feb. 4: at Ole Miss, 7 p.m., ESPN
• Feb. 8: vs. South Carolina (Rupp Arena), noon, ESPN/ESPN2
• Feb. 11: vs. Tennessee (Rupp Arena), 7 p.m., ESPN
• Feb. 15: at Texas, 8 p.m., ESPN
• Feb. 19: vs. Vanderbilt (Rupp Arena), 7 p.m., SEC Network
• Feb. 22: at Alabama, 6 p.m., ESPN
• Feb. 26: at Oklahoma, 9 p.m., SEC Network
• March 1: vs. Auburn (Rupp Arena), 1/4 p.m., ABC/ESPN
• March 4: vs. LSU (Rupp Arena), 7/9 p.m., ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU
• March 8: at Missouri, noon, ESPN/SEC Network

Record: 1-0

• Ansley Almonor (forward, senior)
• Koby Brea (guard, graduate)
• Lamont Butler (guard, graduate)
• Andrew Carr (forward, graduate)
• Collin Chandler (guard, freshman)
• Grant Darbyshire (guard, junior)
• Brandon Garrison (forward, sophomore)
• Walker Horn (guard, junior)
• Kerr Kriisa (guard, senior)
• Trent Noah (forward, freshman)
• Otega Oweh (guard, junior)
• Travis Perry (guard, freshman)
• Jaxson Robinson (guard, graduate)
• Zach Tow (forward, junior)
• Amari Williams (center, graduate)

Lipscomb went 20-12 overall last season, posting a 11-5 mark in Atlantic Sun Conference play. Its season ended in a 77-75 loss to North Alabama in the quarterfinals of the league tournament.

The Bisons are 2-3 this season, with losses at Arkansas, Western Kentucky and a one-point home setback to city rival Belmont. Lipscomb’s two wins are at the expense of Duquesne and Wofford, respectively.

Click here to see the Bisons’ full 2024-25 schedule.

Want to learn the Bisons’ roster?

Click here for player bios and more.

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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

The Kentucky Wildcats are coming off a massive win over the Duke Blue Devils but the key for Mark Pope’s bunch will be to stay focused on the next game. The Wildcats have had a full week off and are set to take on Lipscomb, who is an extremely underrated team.

At a recent media viewing period, Kentucky point guard Lamont Butler was asked about how Coach Pope is preparing for this game. Butler had this to say about how Coach Pope has discussed the importance of this matchup with Lipscomb, “I think Coach Pope put it best. He said the next game is going to be the biggest game of your life, and that’s how we have to treat it. Lipscomb has the power to come in here and beat us. We don’t want that to happen, especially on our home court. We got our fans there. We’re very locked in on this game. We’re locked in on their personnel and their game plan to go out there and win.”

Kentucky fans should love to see this quote from Butler because it shows Coach Pope is never going to let his team look past an opponent. Some teams would lose a game like this after a big win because they get full of themselves after a big win. That won’t be the case for Coach Pope’s team, as he always makes sure his team is ready to play no matter the opponent.

Coach Pope’s coaching style is going to be a big reason why the Kentucky Wildcats are so successful during his tenure.

The 2024 high school basketball season is set to get underway in the coming days and the state of Kentucky once again features a litany of talent-rich programs.

While the Bluegrass may not rival the likes of Florida or California when it comes to national rankings, it’s still a state that prides itself on the hardwood and continuously churns out top prospects.

Below are the top 25 teams in the state of Kentucky entering the 2024-25 basketball season, as of Nov. 18, per the On3 Massey Ratings.

The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.

CLICK HERE to watch your high school’s games on NFHS Network now!

Lexington Catholic holds the top spot and is coming off a 28-win season last time out. The Knights won at least eight games in a row three separate times last season and are poised for another impressive campaign this winter. The No. 118 team nationally, Lex Cath’s defense ranks No. 2 in the state preseason, per the Massey Ratings. A Dec. 7 matchup against preseason No. 2 Covington Catholic will be appointment viewing.

Covington Catholic is the only team to own a top-five offensive and defensive rating in the state ahead of the season, per the Massey Ratings. The Colonels won 24 games a season ago and will look to make a statement early this time around, as their first six games are all against ranked foes.

The highest-ranked of last season’s Sweet 16 participants, Great Crossing is once again expected to be dominant in and around Georgetown this winter. Led by top-30 prospect and Kentucky center commit Malachi Moreno, the Warhawks, who lost in the state semifinals last time around, are expected to be a force on both sides of the ball. Their offensive and defensive rating both check in inside the top 10 in-state, per the Massey Ratings.

To no surprise, Trinity is a top program out in Louisville. The Shamrocks lost in the Sweet 16 Quarterfinals last season and won 27 games. Heading the roster is junior four-star shooting guard Jayden Johnson, a top-100 prospect. Per the Massey Ratings, Trinity has the top-ranked in-state defensive rating. A matchup against No. 5 Louisville Male early next month looms large.

Louisville Male sits right behind Trinity and, as always, will challenge the Shamrocks every step of the way this season. The Bulldogs won 21 games last season and are expected to be potent offensively for the 2024-25 campaign. They rank No. 4 offensively in-state, per the Massey Ratings. The schedule will be rigorous at the beginning for Male, as it will take on Trinity, Dupont Manual and Eastern early on next month.

After winning 25 games a season ago, Bowling Green is considered a top contender in the Bluegrass once again this season. The Purples have a top-15 offense and the No. 10 defense in the state, per the Massey Ratings. Paired with a favorable schedule, BG will be a tough out if it can make it to Rupp Arena come March.

North Oldham rattled off an 11-game winning streak a season ago as the Mustangs finished 24-6 on the year. The No. 8 offense in the state, per the Massey Ratings, resides in Goshen preseason. A Dec. 5 clash against No. 10 Ballard will serve as an early measuring stick. It is currently Oldham’s lone ranked matchup until January.

Lyon County won the state championship last season and is back for more this winter. The Lions were led by now-Kentucky Wildcats guard Travis Perry — who became the state’s all-time leading scorer during his senior season. While the workload left by Perry is impossible to fully pick up, Lyon Co. is still expected to do damage to opposing defenses this season, as its offensive rating is No. 2 in the state, per the Massey Ratings.

St. Xavier is yet another elite program out of Louisville that’s coming off an impressive 2023-24 season. The Tigers won 29 games and will look to reach 30-plus this time around. They check in right behind Lyon County with the No. 3 offensive rating in the state, and also like the Lions, they have a defensive rating that ranks outside the top 50, per the Massey Ratings.

The preseason No. 1 offensive rating in the state belongs to Ballard, yet another Louisville power. Unlike the rest of the top 10, the Bruins are coming off a bit of a down 2023-24 season, as they won just 13 games. The Massey Ratings predict a big bounce back this winter, and they’ll have a chance to kick things off with a bang thanks to December matchups against North Oldham and Frederick Douglass.

Teams 11-25 in Kentucky High School Basketball Rankings

11. Evangel Christian
12. Dupont Manual
13. George Rogers Clark
14. Warren Central
15. De Sales

16. Frederick Douglass
17. Newport
18. Cooper
19. Oldham County
20. Ashland Blazer

21. Harlan County
22. Woodford County
23. Eastern
24. Christian Academy
25. Bryan Station