College basketball returns with a loaded exhibition slate that feels more like a mini–March Madness preview. Several top-25 teams are taking the floor tonight, using these tune-ups to test rotations, integrate transfers, and gauge chemistry before the regular season tips off.
With exciting matchups spread across the country, fans will get an early look at how the sport’s biggest programs stack up heading into 2025-26. This year’s exhibition schedule goes beyond small-school warmups.
Power-conference clashes like Kansas vs Louisville and Purdue vs Kentucky headline a Friday night that could reveal a lot about the new landscape. Here are the top five must-watch exhibition games today.
BYU vs North Carolina
The Delta Center in Salt Lake City hosts one of the day’s premier exhibitions as BYU faces North Carolina. BYU enters with major expectations after breaking into the preseason top 10 under coach Kevin Young.
Today’s Notable Exhibition Games:
North Carolina at BYU
Kansas at Louisville
Villanova at Virginia
DePaul at Notre Dame
Purdue at Kentucky
Kansas State at Missouri
Cincinnati at Arkansas
Wisconsin/Oklahoma (Milwaukee)
Utah at Oregon— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 24, 2025
Hubert Davis’ Tar Heels, meanwhile, bring in a reshaped roster led by freshman Caleb Wilson. The game tips at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Kansas vs Louisville
Kansas visits Louisville in another marquee matchup. Bill Self’s Jayhawks boast a strong roster with a good mix of new talent and veteran presence. Louisville, led by second-year head coach Pat Kelsey, looks to build on last season’s turnaround with some elite scorers and defensive players. This is the first time the two storied programs meet in an exhibition, airing on ACC Network at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Purdue vs Kentucky
Top-ranked Purdue heads to Rupp Arena for a showdown with No. 9 Kentucky at 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network. Coach Matt Painter will lead the team of point guard Braden Smith, shooting guard Fletcher Loyer, and more.
Kentucky coach Mark Pope, with his young roster, is ready for a clash of experience versus youth, even if the result won’t count, intensity will.
Villanova vs Virginia
At John Paul Jones Arena, Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers welcome Kevin Willard’s Villanova squad for a defensive-minded exhibition. Both programs are recent national champions and pride themselves on discipline and half-court execution.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra.
Cincinnati vs Arkansas
In Fayetteville, Wes Miller’s Bearcats face John Calipari’s first Arkansas team after his offseason move from Kentucky. The Razorbacks’ tempo and new-look roster make this one intriguing even without national-ranking stakes.
Several other exhibitions are worth watching, including DePaul at Notre Dame, Kansas State at Missouri, and Utah at Oregon, all featuring major-conference matchups. For a night that’s technically “preseason,” today’s games offer an early taste of how contenders are shaping up and a reminder that college basketball’s new season is finally here.
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