Kentucky vs. Kentucky Wesleyan – UK Athletics

The Kentucky men's basketball team spent the entire summer and fall playing against each other. From practice to scrimmage, it's been the Cats against the Cats for months.

UK gets its chance on Wednesday night when the Cats take on Kentucky Wesleyan in an exhibition game at Rupp Arena (7:00 p.m. ET, SEC Network Plus).

Freshman Colin Chandler says Kentucky is definitely ready to compete against outside competition.

“We are excited. We’re so excited,” Chandler said. “We enjoy giving headaches to people other than ourselves. Being able to compete together is something really exciting.”

Fans got their first look at the 2024-25 Cats on Friday night in the Blue-White game at the Historic Memorial Coliseum. Forward Andrew Carr led all scorers with 25 points, while Chandler led his Whites squad with 19 points.

Chandler is still working on getting back into shape after not playing for two years to complete his two-year mission trip. He says things are starting to come back to him now.

“I’m starting to get my legs under me a little bit,” Chandler said. “I try to be aggressive, to feel the game. I feel like that's coming back and I feel very comfortable on the floor. I'm doing well. It came back quicker than I hoped.”

The Cats showed in the Blue-White game that they are willing and able to get shots for their teammates. The two teams combined for 30 assists on 47 made baskets in the exhibition. Chandler said selflessness is an important focus in practice.

“I think our main focus lately has been making plays for our teammates,” Chandler said. “We are focused on what we can do to support our teammates. Not even just passing by, but shielding yourself, creating real shields, opening up to each other. If that’s our thought process and we’re worried about our teammates getting shots, then we think everything will be fine.”

What does Chandler expect to learn from Wednesday night's friendly?

“We practiced coming together,” Chandler said. “I think we’ll learn to lean on each other.”

The Cats will be facing a program that has had great success over the years. Kentucky Wesleyan was 21-9 in the Division II Midwest Region Championship against Upper Iowa last season. The Panthers have won an NCAA Division II record eight national championships (1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1987, 1990, 1999, 2001). Chandler and the Cats hope to be ready for the KWC on Wednesday night.

“We watched film and talked about personnel. These guys can play. We saw that in the film. We will be ready for them. They are very good players and we are ready to respond.”

The Cats have been waiting for the opportunity to play someone else, and they'll get that chance Wednesday night when traditional Kentucky Wesleyan visits Rupp Arena.