The Wildcats first played collegiate basketball back in 1903, back when they were still called State College. With the hire of Adolph Rupp as head coach, Kentucky took off as one of college basketball’s premiere programs. Rupp led the Wildcats to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1948 and 1949, then won again in 1951 and 1958. Rupp won 876 games in his 41 years at the helm, reaching six Final Fours and winning those four championships. The latest in the long line of incredible college basketball coaches to land in Kentucky is John Calipari. ‘Coach Cal’ has consistently landed the Wildcats one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, making a living off of one-and-done players that have included current NBA stars John Wall and Anthony Davis. Calipari won Kentucky’s most recent title in 2012, becoming the fifth coach to win the NCAA championship as a Wildcat. Score with TicketCity - the place to go for Kentucky Wildcats basketball tickets.
How to Buy Kentucky Wildcats Tickets
1. Scan through the 2016 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and select the game that you would like to attend, or use the opponent or date filters beside the Kentucky Wildcats ticket listings to find the perfect matchup.
2. Click “Select” to reveal all available Kentucky Wildcats tickets, the Rupp Arena interactive seating chart, ticket quantity, and ticket price filters. Use the ticket price filter, and ticket quantity filter to quickly refine your search to the available Kentucky Wildcats tickets that are in your price range. You can also utilize the “eTickets Only” filter to find all Kentucky Wildcats tickets that will be delivered electronically. The Rupp Arena interactive map can be employed to reveal all tickets available for a preferred section. Select the perfect tickets and click “Go” to proceed to checkout.
3. Review the checkout page to ensure that the correct Kentucky Wildcats tickets have been selected, and read through any ticket notes or delivery information. If everything looks correct, fill out the checkout information, and purchase your Kentucky Wildcats Tickets!
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2016 Wildcats Season Preview
The Kentucky Wildcats came out of the 2015-2016 college basketball season as champions of the SEC Tournament, beating Alabama, Georgia and A&M. The Wildcats ended the season with a 27-9 record. As the UK basketball team heads into the 2016-2017 season they come with a heavy veteran team. Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins both come back as seniors, bringing the size to the Wildcats basketball games. The return of sophomores, Isaiah Briscoe and Isaac Humphries contributes to Kentucky’s expectations as a top team. Look for Isiah to have a stellar year in the backcourt as a leader for the Wildcats on and off the court after his successful season last year. Head coach John Calipari recruiting for the Kentucky Wildcats is one of the nation’s top recruiting class; this can be seen with the addition of point guard De’Aaron Fox. With six athletes 6-foot-9 or taller on the roster, expect the Wildcats to be one of the top three teams in college basketball. Exciting games on the 2016-2017 Kentucky Wildcats Basketball schedule will be against Texas A&M and Florida Gators.
Kentucky Wildcats Basketball at Rupp Arena
Address: 430 W Vine St, Lexington, Kentucky, 40507 The Kentucky Wildcats play their home games at Rupp Arena, located in the heart of Lexington, Kentucky. With a capacity of 23,500 crazy fans, catching a ‘Cats game at Rupp Arena is a can’t miss experience. With eight championship banners hanging in the rafters and the jerseys of some of the greatest basketball players in the world high above the court, there are few environments in college basketball that can rival Rupp Arena. The Kentucky Wildcats home bench is on the Rupp Arena sideline in front of sections 32-33. Rupp Arena parking information is covered in our Wildcats event guide.
Kentucky vs. Indiana
Combining for over a dozen national titles, this rivalry is between two of the premier programs in college basketball. These teams have played over 55 times since 1924. The Hoosiers owns very slight margin in wins, but Kentucky has dominated the last 20 years of the rivalry. The competition between these two teams has spilled over off the court with coaches and athletic directors failing to reach a compromise to continue scheduling the game, but fans from both squads hope to see it renewed in the near future.
The Battle of the Bluegrass is one of the most hotly contested and competitive rivalries in all of basketball. The rivalry began in 1913, but was not played annually until the early 1980’s. Kentucky owns a sizable margin in win, but a majority of the games have been decided by 10 points or less and both teams are often ranked. This is the can’t miss game in the State of Kentucky and one of the best sporting events in the country.
Kentucky Wildcats in the Final Four, NCAA Tournament, and SEC Tournament
There are only a few states in the country known for their basketball and because of the Wildcats, Kentucky is one of them. Kentucky has the most all-time wins, winning percentage, NCAA tournament appearances and has won 8 national championships. With almost 40 Sweet 16s, 15 Final Fours and 38 regular-season conference championships, basketball at Rupp Arena is that of legend.
Kentucky Wildcats Event Guide
What time do the gates open prior to a Kentucky game?
Doors generally open 1-hour before tipoff at Rupp Arena.
Where are good places to eat before a Kentucky game?
Some of the best food in all of Kentucky is within walking distance of Rupp Arena. One of our favorite places to eat before a Wildcats game is Grey Goose Bar. Grey Goose is family friendly, has amazing pizza, and is less than a mile from the arena. Another great option is The Local Taco. The Local Taco is inexpensive, has a great atmosphere and is usually full of Kentucky fans making the trip to the arena. If you are looking for a unique dining experience try Stell’as Kentucky Deli. Other great places in the area are Sidebar Grill, A La Lucie, and Table Three Ten.
Where is the best place to park at the Rupp Arena?
Parking at Rupp Arena is condensed to two key areas. The largest parking selection is located just to the west of the arena and extends to Maxwell Street. The other good parking area is immediately north of Rupp to just south of Oliver Lewis Way. Parking generally runs about $7 for the day and we recommend getting to the game early if you want to find a spot close the arena. There are also metered parking options in the surrounding areas.
Does my child need a ticket to attend the game?
Children under the age of 2 years old do not require a ticket to enter Rupp Arena and must sit in a guardians lap for the duration of the game.