RIVERDALE, NY — The Manhattan Jaspers Men's Basketball program will open its 2026-27 schedule in non-conference play inside Rupp Arena and face the Wildcats of the University of Kentucky, on Tuesday, November 3.
"We're excited to open the season against Kentucky," said Head Coach John Gallagher.
"Playing one of the premier programs in college basketball is exactly the kind of challenge we want. This is the kind of game that speaks to the tradition and pride of our squad."
This marks the second consecutive season the Jaspers will face an SEC program, after facing Texas A&M in 2025-26 in College Station.
Additionally, the Jaspers and the Wildcats have never competed against one another in the programs' 100-plus years of existence.
Against SEC opponents, the Jaspers are 7-20 all time, with three victories coming against the South Carolina, most recently in 2013-14, when the Green and White took down the Gamecocks by a score of 86-68 on December 17, 2013, when Jaspers 2024 Hall of Famer George Beamon led the way with 26 points in Columbia.
In his career as a Division I Head Coach at both Hartford and Manhattan, John Gallagher sits 0-3 against SEC foes, facing Mississippi State in 2018, and Texas A&M twice.
Kentucky is coming off a 22-14 campaign under first year Head Coach Mark Pope and saw 14 wins inside Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, with 10 victories coming in SEC play. The Wildcats reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament after falling to the Florida Gators in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals, before claiming victory against Santa Clara in the Round of 64 to advance against Iowa State.
The Kentucky - Manhattan battle, joins the already jointly announced America East - Metro Basketball Challenge for non-conference play in 2026-27, where Gallagher's Jaspers will take on the Great Danes of UAlbany on Thursday, November 5 from inside Draddy Gymnasium, and concluding against the Black Bears of the University of Maine in Orono on Sunday, November 8. Times and TV designations are still to be determined.
The Jaspers will be spearheaded by returning sophomore guard Quron Elliott, joined alongside the Colgate transfer guard Ben Tweedy, Niagara transfer wing Josiah Sabino. Manhattan will also have the additions of Isaac Johnson, Anthony Pacciarelli, Ognjen Stankovic, and Dušan Eric for 2026-27.
Follow Manhattan Men's Basketball on X (@ManhattanMBB) and on Instagram (@jaspers.mbb).
