2023–24 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team
American college basketball season
The 2023–24 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represented the University of Kentucky during the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season . The Wildcats, who are founding members of the Southeastern Conference , played their home games at Rupp Arena and were led by John Calipari in his 15th and final season as head coach for the Wildcats.
Previous season
The Wildcats finished the 2022–23 season finished the season with a record of 21–10, 12–6 in SEC play to finish in third place in the SEC. As the number three seed in the SEC tournament , they would be upset in the quarterfinal round by Vanderbilt . They would go on to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they would go on to defeat Providence in the first round before falling to Kansas State in the second round to finish the season with an overall record of 22–12.
Offseason
Departures
Class of 2023 commitments
On November 20, 2021, Reed Sheppard verbally committed to UK over multiple offers, with Louisville and Virginia among the most active in attempting to recruit him. The son of former UK basketball players Jeff Sheppard and the former Stacey Reed, he was the first commitment to the 2023 recruiting class. At the time of his commitment, he was the #3 ranked combo guard in the 2023 class by 247 Sports.[ 2] On November 14, 2022, D. J. Wagner , ranked as the top point guard in the class by ESPN and Rivals, committed to the University Of Kentucky, deciding over Louisville.[ 3]
US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name
Hometown
High school / college
Height
Weight
Commit date
Reed Sheppard SG
London, KY
North Laurel (KY)
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
Nov 20, 2021
Recruiting star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 89
Rob Dillingham PG
Simi Valley, CA
Donda Academy (CA)
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
165 lb (75 kg)
Jun 24, 2022
Recruiting star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 95
Justin Edwards SF
Philadelphia, PA
Imhotep Institute (PA)
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
Jul 25, 2022
Recruiting star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 91
Jordan Burks SF
Decatur, AL
Hillcrest Prep (AZ)
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Jun 12, 2023
Recruiting star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 82
Joey Hart SG
Linton, IN
Linton-Stockton (IN)
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
Jun 17, 2023
Recruiting star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 79
Aaron Bradshaw C
Roselle, NJ
Camden (NJ)
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Oct 14, 2022
Recruiting star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 94
Zvonimir Ivišić C
Vodice, Croatia
SC Derby
7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
Aug 14, 2023
Recruiting star ratings : Rivals : N/A 247Sports : N/A
D. J. Wagner PG
Camden, NJ
Camden (NJ)
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
Nov 14, 2022
Recruiting star ratings : Rivals : 247Sports : ESPN : ESPN grade: 96
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note : In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
Roster
2023–24 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team
Players
Coaches
Pos.
#
Name
Height
Weight
Year
Previous school
Hometown
G
0
Rob Dillingham
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
176 lb (80 kg)
Fr
Overtime Elite
Hickory, NC
G
1
Justin Edwards
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
203 lb (92 kg)
Fr
Imhotep Institute
Philadelphia, PA
F
2
Aaron Bradshaw
7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
226 lb (103 kg)
Fr
Camden
Roselle, NJ
G
3
Adou Thiero
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
222 lb (101 kg)
So
Quaker Valley
Leetsdale, PA
F
4
Tre Mitchell
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
231 lb (105 kg)
GS
West Virginia
Pittsburgh, PA
G
12
Antonio Reeves
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
GS
Illinois State
Chicago, IL
G
13
Grant Darbyshire (W)
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
So
Sycamore
Cincinnati, OH
F
14
Brennan Canada
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
GS
George Rogers Clark
Mount Sterling, KY
G
15
Reed Sheppard
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
187 lb (85 kg)
Fr
North Laurel
London, KY
G
20
Joey Hart
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
203 lb (92 kg)
Fr
Linton-Stockton
Linton, IN
G
21
D. J. Wagner
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
192 lb (87 kg)
Fr
Camden
Camden, NJ
G
22
Walker Horn (W)
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
So
Westlake
Austin, TX
G
23
Jordan Burks
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
202 lb (92 kg)
Fr
Hillcrest Prep
Decatur, AL
G
25
Kareem Watkins (W)
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
Sr
Kingsway Regional
Camden, NJ
F
33
Ugonna Onyenso
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
247 lb (112 kg)
So
Putnam Science Academy
Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
F
44
Zvonimir Ivišić
7 ft 2 in (2.18 m)
234 lb (106 kg)
Fr
SC Derby
Vodice, Croatia
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
(W) Walk-on
Schedule and results
Date time, TV
Rank#
Opponent#
Result
Record
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Site (attendance) city, state
Exhibition
July 12, 2023 *1:30 p.m., CBSSN
vs. Germany
W 81–73
–
24 – Reeves
9 – Edwards
6 – Tied
Mattamy Athletic Centre Toronto, Ontario
July 13, 2023 *8:00 p.m., CBSSN
vs. Canada
W 93–69
–
23 – Reeves
6 – Tied
9 – Dillingham
Mattamy Athletic Centre Toronto, Ontario
July 15, 2023 *1:30 p.m., CBSSN
vs. Africa
W 104–92
–
27 – Reeves
8 – Mitchell
8 – Sheppard
Mattamy Athletic Centre Toronto, Ontario
July 16, 2023 *8:00 p.m., CBSSN
vs. Canada Gold Medal game
W 89–72
–
23 – Edwards
11 – Mitchell
6 – Wagner
Mattamy Athletic Centre Toronto, Ontario
October 27, 2023 *7:00 p.m., SECN
No. 16
Georgetown (KY)
W 92–69
–
22 – Mitchell
9 – Mitchell
5 – Dillingham
Rupp Arena (18,454)Lexington, KY
November 2, 2023 *7:00 p.m., SECN+/ESPN+
No. 16
Kentucky State
W 99–53
–
20 – Reeves
10 – Mitchell
7 – Wagner
Rupp Arena (18,739)Lexington, KY
Regular season
November 6, 2023 *8:00 p.m., SECN
No. 16
New Mexico State
W 86–46
1–0
17 – Dillingham
9 – Mitchell
5 – Mitchell
Rupp Arena (18,438)Lexington, KY
November 10, 2023 *7:00 p.m., SECN+/ESPN+
No. 16
Texas A&M–Commerce Wildcat Challenge
W 81–61
2–0
21 – Reeves
8 – Mitchell
4 – Dillingham
Rupp Arena (19,646)Lexington, KY
November 14, 2023 *9:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 17
vs. No. 1 Kansas Champions Classic
L 84–89
2–1
24 – Reeves
12 – Thiero
3 – Tied
United Center (18,780)Chicago, IL
November 17, 2023 *7:00 p.m., SECN+/ESPN+
No. 17
Stonehill Wildcat Challenge
W 101–67
3–1
25 – Sheppard
5 – Tied
7 – Tied
Rupp Arena (18,960)Lexington, KY
November 20, 2023 *7:00 p.m., SECN
No. 16
Saint Joseph's Wildcat Challenge
W 96–88 OT
4–1
22 – Tied
6 – Mitchell
6 – Tied
Rupp Arena (18,680)Lexington, KY
November 24, 2023 *7:00 p.m., SECN
No. 16
Marshall
W 118–82
5–1
28 – Wagner
7 – Tied
8 – Dillingham
Rupp Arena (20,246)Lexington, KY
November 28, 2023 *7:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 12
No. 8 Miami (FL) ACC–SEC Challenge
W 95–73
6–1
21 – Sheppard
6 – Thiero
9 – Dillingham
Rupp Arena (20,119)Lexington, KY
December 2, 2023 *4:00 p.m., SECN
No. 12
UNC Wilmington
L 73–80
6–2
25 – Sheppard
9 – Sheppard
6 – Sheppard
Rupp Arena (19,990)Lexington, KY
December 9, 2023 *12:00 p.m., ESPN2
No. 16
vs. Penn Malone's Classic
W 81–66
7–2
17 – Tied
11 – Bradshaw
7 – Wagner
Wells Fargo Center (9,007)Philadelphia, PA
December 16, 2023 *5:30 p.m., CBS
No. 14
vs. No. 9 North Carolina CBS Sports Classic /Rivalry
W 87–83
8–2
17 – Dillingham
6 – Tied
5 – Wagner
State Farm Arena (17,058)Atlanta, GA
December 21, 2023 *6:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 9
at Louisville Rivalry
W 95–76
9–2
30 – Reeves
12 – Mitchell
11 – Sheppard
KFC Yum! Center (17,293)Louisville, KY
December 29, 2023 *7:00 p.m., SECN
No. 8
Illinois State
W 96–70
10–2
27 – Reeves
11 – Mitchell
7 – Dillingham
Rupp Arena (20,659)Lexington, KY
January 6, 2024 12:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 6
at Florida Rivalry
W 87–85
11–2 (1–0)
19 – Reeves
10 – Mitchell
3 – Wagner
O'Connell Center (10,106)Gainesville, FL
January 9, 2024 7:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 6
Missouri
W 90–77
12–2 (2–0)
23 – Dillingham
14 – Mitchell
4 – Sheppard
Rupp Arena (20,086)Lexington, KY
January 13, 2024 2:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 6
at Texas A&M
L 92–97 OT
12–3 (2–1)
22 – Reeves
13 – Mitchell
6 – Mitchell
Reed Arena (9,540)College Station, TX
January 17, 2024 7:00 p.m., ESPN2
No. 8
Mississippi State
W 90–77
13–3 (3–1)
27 – Reeves
6 – Tied
6 – Sheppard
Rupp Arena (20,016)Lexington, KY
January 20, 2024 6:00 p.m., SECN
No. 8
Georgia
W 105–96
14–3 (4–1)
23 – Mitchell
5 – Tied
10 – Wagner
Rupp Arena (20,283)Lexington, KY
January 23, 2024 7:00 p.m., SECN
No. 6
at South Carolina
L 62–79
14–4 (4–2)
16 – Dillingham
8 – Bradshaw
3 – Wagner
Colonial Life Arena (18,000)Columbia, SC
January 27, 2024 6:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 6
at Arkansas College GameDay
W 63–57
15–4 (5–2)
24 – Reeves
11 – Mitchell
5 – Sheppard
Bud Walton Arena (19,200)Fayetteville, AR
January 31, 2024 8:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 10
Florida Rivalry
L 91–94 OT
15–5 (5–3)
24 – Sheppard
16 – Onyenso
6 – Sheppard
Rupp Arena (20,068)Lexington, KY
February 3, 2024 8:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 10
No. 5 Tennessee Rivalry
L 92–103
15–6 (5–4)
35 – Dillingham
6 – Tied
6 – Sheppard
Rupp Arena (20,265)Lexington, KY
February 6, 2024 8:30 p.m., SECN
No. 17
at Vanderbilt
W 109–77
16–6 (6–4)
24 – Reeves
7 – Tied
9 – Dillingham
Memorial Gymnasium (11,678)Nashville, TN
February 10, 2024 *4:00 p.m., CBS
No. 17
Gonzaga
L 85–89
16–7
21 – Sheppard
5 –
3 –
Rupp Arena (20,186)Lexington, KY
February 13, 2024 9:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 22
Ole Miss
W 75–63
17–7 (7–4)
15 – Reeves
7 – Reeves
5 – Sheppard
Rupp Arena (20,064)Lexington, KY
February 17, 2024 6:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 22
at No. 13 Auburn College GameDay
W 70–59
18–7 (8–4)
22 – Reeves
11 – Onyenso
3 –
Neville Arena (9,121)Auburn, AL
February 21, 2024 9:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 17
at LSU
L 74–75
18–8 (8–5)
25 – Reeves
9 – Thiero
2 –
Pete Maravich Assembly Center (9,493)Baton Rouge, LA
February 24, 2024 4:00 p.m., CBS
No. 17
No. 13 Alabama
W 117–95
19–8 (9–5)
28 – Edwards
6 – Sheppard
6 – Sheppard
Rupp Arena (20,342)Lexington, KY
February 27, 2024 7:00 p.m., ESPN
No. 16
at Mississippi State
W 91–89
20–8 (10–5)
32 – Sheppard
5 – Sheppard
7 – Sheppard
Humphrey Coliseum (9,266)Starkville, MS
March 2, 2024 1:30 p.m., CBS
No. 16
Arkansas
W 111–102
21–8 (11–5)
22 – Reeves
9 – Ivisic
5 –
Rupp Arena (20,322)Lexington, KY
March 6, 2024 9:00 p.m., SECN
No. 15
Vanderbilt
W 93–77
22–8 (12–5)
23 – Dillingham
6 –
11 – Sheppard
Rupp Arena (20,332)Lexington, KY
March 9, 2024 4:00 p.m., CBS
No. 15
at No. 4 Tennessee Rivalry
W 85–81
23–8 (13–5)
27 –
7 – Reeves
5 – Sheppard
Thompson–Boling Arena (22,206)Knoxville, TN
SEC tournament
March 15, 2024 7:00 p.m., SECN
(2) No. 9
vs. (7) Texas A&M Quarterfinals
L 87–97
23–9
27 – Dillingham
9 – Mitchell
7 – Dillingham
Bridgestone Arena Nashville, TN
NCAA tournament
March 21, 2024 *7:10 pm, CBS
(3 S) No. 12
vs. (14 S) Oakland First Round
L 76–80
23–10
27 – Reeves
13 – Mitchell
4 – Sheppard
PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh, PA
*Non-conference game.
# Rankings from
AP Poll . (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
S=South region.
All times are in
Eastern Time .
Sources:[ 4] [ 5]
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking т = Tied with team above or below Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Final AP 16 17 16 12 16 14 9 8 6 6 8 6 10 17 22 17 16 15 9 12 20 Coaches 16 16 16 12 17 15 9 10 6 6 10 6т 8 15 20 17 15 13 9 12 19
References
^ Black, Ryan. "Kentucky basketball roster 2023–24 watch: Forward Lance Ware commits to Villanova" . Louisville Courier Journal . Retrieved June 4, 2023 .
^ Borzello, Jeff; Biancardi, Paul (November 20, 2021). "Reed Sheppard, No. 37 men's basketball prospect in 2023, commits to Kentucky Wildcats" . ESPN.com . Retrieved November 20, 2021 .
^ "No. 1-ranked recruit Wagner chooses Kentucky" . ESPN.com . November 14, 2022. Retrieved December 31, 2022 .
^ Roberts, Ben. "What's going on with Kentucky's 2023–24 basketball schedule? Here's the latest" . Lexington Herald Leader . Retrieved June 4, 2023 .
^ Thompson, Tyler. "ACC/SEC Challenge may make Kentucky's 2023–24 schedule one of its best" . On3.com . Retrieved June 4, 2023 .
Venues Rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons Helms and Premo-Porretta national championships in bold; NCAA Final Four appearances in italics; NCAA championships in bolded italics