James Madison coach Preston Spradlin returns to Kentucky's Rupp Arena as opponent
The gist
James Madison head coach Preston Spradlin, a former Kentucky staffer, brings his team to Rupp Arena to face the Wildcats.
The homecoming puts a former Calipari assistant across from Kentucky's Mark Pope.
How it unfolded
- 2009 -14Spradlin served on Kentucky's staff under head coach John Calipari.
- Nov 3, 2026No. 23 Kentucky beat Manhattan 85-57 behind 24 points from Milan Momcilovic; James Madison lost its season opener to Miami (Ohio) 86-77, with Paul Jones III leading JMU with 14 points.
- Nov 5, 2026UK Athletics published a preview of Kentucky vs. James Madison at Rupp Arena (7 p.m. ET, SEC Network), and Jack Pilgrim promoted Spradlin's appearance on Sources Say for 7 PM ET.
Key terms
- Rupp Arena
- An indoor arena in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, home court of the University of Kentucky men's basketball team.
- NCAA Tournament
- Describes a college basketball team suited to the single-elimination NCAA tournament played mostly in March.
- SEC Network
- An American sports television network owned by ESPN that broadcasts Southeastern Conference collegiate sports.
Source: Wikipedia