2017–18 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team

The Wildcats finished the 2016–17 season 32–6, 16–2 in SEC play to win the regular season SEC championship. In the SEC tournament the Wildcats beat Georgia, Alabama, and Arkansas to win the tournament championship. As a result, the Wildcats received the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. As a No. 2 seed in the South region, they defeated No. 15 Northern Kentucky{{Cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/march-madness/index.ssf/2017/03/kentucky_vs_northern_kentucky.html|title=Freshmen lead Kentucky over Northern Kentucky: NCAA Tournament first round|work=OregonLive.com|access-date=2017-08-07|language=en-US}} and No. 10 Wichita State to advance to the Sweet 16.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400947227|title=Wichita State vs. Kentucky - Game Recap - March 19, 2017 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-08-07}} There, they defeated No. 3 UCLA to advance to the Elite Eight{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400947330|title=UCLA vs. Kentucky - Game Recap - March 24, 2017 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-08-07}} where they lost to eventual National Champion, No. 1 North Carolina.{{Cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/march-madness/index.ssf/2017/03/kentucky_vs_north_carolina_liv.html|title=North Carolina holds off Kentucky, moves on to Final Four: NCAA Tournament live updates recap, highlights, score, stats|work=OregonLive.com|access-date=2017-08-07|language=en-US}}

On April 3, 2017, De'Aaron Fox announced that he was leaving the program to enter the 2017 NBA draft, and would forgo his remaining eligibility.{{Cite news|url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2017/04/03/kentuckys-deaaron-fox-declares-nba-draft/99991756/|title=Kentucky's De'Aaron Fox declares for the NBA draft|last=Page|first=Fletcher|date=April 3, 2017|access-date=April 3, 2017}} On April 4, 2017, Malik Monk, in a release to the fanbase, stated that he intended to enter the NBA draft and sign with an agent, thus ending his remaining eligibility with the program.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wlky.com/article/kentuckys-malik-monk-declares-for-nba-draft/9230316|title=Kentucky's Malik Monk declares for NBA Draft|last=Koob|first=Dan|date=April 4, 2017|access-date=April 4, 2017}} On April 6, 2017, Isaiah Briscoe announced that he was leaving Kentucky to enter the 2017 NBA Draft, and would sign with an agent, forgoing his remaining eligibility.{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19092075/isaiah-briscoe-becomes-fourth-kentucky-wildcats-player-declare-nba-draft|title=Kentucky's Isaiah Briscoe declares for NBA draft|last=Goodman|first=Jeff|date=April 6, 2017|access-date=April 6, 2017}} On April 12, 2017, Isaac Humphries announced that he was leaving Kentucky to pursue a professional career in basketball and will sign with an agent, and would forgo remaining eligibility.{{Cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2703261-isaac-humphries-declares-for-2017-nba-draft-after-sophomore-year-at-kentucky|title=Isaac Humphries Declares for 2017 NBA Draft After Sophomore Year at Kentucky|last=Rapp|first=Timothy|date=April 12, 2017|access-date=April 12, 2017|website=Kentucky Sports Radio}} On April 24, 2017, Bam Adebayo stated that he intended to sign with an agent, thus ending his remaining eligibility with the program.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/kentucky-loses-another-as-bam-adebayo-is-hiring-an-agent-and-will-head-to-the-nba/|title=Kentucky loses another as Bam Adebayo is hiring an agent and will head to the NBA|last=Norlander|first=Matt|date=April 24, 2017|access-date=April 24, 2017}} On May 24, 2017, the final day on which players who wished to return to college basketball could withdraw from the NBA draft, Hamidou Diallo, who entered the draft without hiring an agent, announced that he would return to Kentucky to play in 2017–18.{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19456982/hamidou-diallo-kentucky-wildcats-return-opt-nba-draft|title=Kentucky's Hamidou Diallo will return for freshman season|last=Goodman|first=Jeff|date=May 24, 2017|access-date=May 24, 2017}}

Nick Richards, a native of Kingston, Jamaica who moved to Queens, New York in 2013, was the first commitment in the Kentucky class. He committed to Kentucky on November 10 at a press conference at his high school.{{cite news|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article114023728.html|title=Kentucky lands commitments from a pair of five-star basketball recruits|access-date=2016-11-10|date=2016-11-10|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader}} He chose Kentucky over Arizona and Syracuse. He was a consensus five star prospect, and was ranked the consensus No. 14 overall player by the four main recruiting services.

P. J. Washington, a Dallas native attending school in Las Vegas, Nevada, was the second commitment in the Kentucky class. He committed to Kentucky on November 10 live on ESPNU. He chose Kentucky over North Carolina and UNLV. He was a consensus five star prospect, and was ranked the consensus No. 15 overall player by the four main recruiting services.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, originally from Hamilton, Ontario and attending school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was the third commitment in the Kentucky class. He committed to Kentucky on November 14 through a message on Twitter.{{cite news|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article114610083.html|title=Calipari adds third commitment to Kentucky's recruiting class of 2017|access-date=2016-11-14|date=2016-11-14|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader}} He was a consensus top fifty player, ranked No. 42 by the four main recruiting services Rivals, ESPN, Scout, and 24/7 Sports.

Quade Green, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was the fourth commitment in the Kentucky class. He signed his National Letter of Intent on November 16, the last day of the early signing period, but did not reveal his choice between Kentucky and Syracuse until an event at his high school on November 19 - with his mother Tamika Johnson by his side.{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=Ben |title=New UK commitment Quade Green will bring 'Philly toughness' to Lexington |newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader |date=November 19, 2016 |url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article115990473.html |access-date=November 21, 2016}} He was a consensus top-25 player and ranked as a five-star player by the four main recruiting services Rivals, ESPN, Scout, and 24/7 Sports.

Hamidou Diallo, a Queens native who graduated from a Connecticut school in spring 2016, announced on January 7, 2017, that he would enroll at UK for the start of the school's spring semester the following week. While he was eligible to play immediately, he redshirted the spring semester and began play as a freshman in 2017–18.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/18427587/five-star-wing-hamidou-diallo-commits-kentucky-wildcats-enroll-next-week |title=Hamidou Diallo, No. 11 in ESPN 100, picks Kentucky over UConn |first=Jeff |last=Borzello |work=ESPN.com |date=January 7, 2017 |access-date=January 7, 2017}}

Jemarl Baker, a native of Eastvale, California, was the seventh commitment in the Kentucky recruiting class. He announced his decision on April 11 via a story posted on Scout.com by Evan Daniels.{{Cite news |last=Daniels |first=Evan |title=Four-star guard Jemarl Baker commits to Kentucky |website=Scout |date=April 11, 2017|url=http://www.scout.com/college/basketball/recruiting/story/1769972-jemarl-baker-commits-kentucky |access-date=April 11, 2017}} Baker originally committed to Cuonzo Martin at California, before Martin left the school to coach Missouri. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals for Roosevelt High School in Corona, Calif., and he quickly emerged as one of the Wildcats' top backcourt targets after their season ended last month. Scout.com ranks Baker as the No. 86 overall prospect in the 2017 class.{{cite news|last1=Roberts|first1=Ben|title=New basketball commitment Jemarl Baker is 'exactly what Kentucky needed'|url=http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article143944139.html|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|access-date=April 24, 2017}}

UK's final commitment came on May 6, when Tampa product Kevin Knox II announced he would come to the school. Kentucky beat out Duke, Florida State, North Carolina, and Missouri for Knox's signature.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/19326360/kevin-knox-five-star-recruit-chooses-kentucky-florida-state-duke-north-carolina |title=Kevin Knox, No. 9-ranked prospect in 2017, commits to Kentucky |first=Jeff |last=Borzello |work=ESPN.com |date=May 6, 2017 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}

{{multiple image

| align = left

| direction = horizontal

| header = Kentucky recruits at the 2017 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

| width = 150

| image1 = 20170329 MCDAAG Quade Greene dribbling.jpg

| caption1 = Quade Green

| image2 = 20170329 MCDAAG Kevin Knox II j.jpg

| caption2 = Kevin Knox II

| image3 = 20170329 MCDAAG Nicholas Richards on the fast break.jpg

| caption3 = Nick Richards

| image4 = 20170329 MCDAAG Jarred Vanderbilt holds the ball.jpg

| caption4 = Jarred Vanderbilt

| image5 = 20170329 MCDAAG P. J. Washington dunks in front of Billy Preston.jpg

| caption5 = P. J. Washington

}}

{{clear}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2017}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

| position = G

| hometown = Hamilton, Ontario

| highschool = Hamilton Heights Christian (TN)

| feet = 6

| inches = 4

| weight = 160

| 40 =

| commitdate = 2016-11-14

| rivals stars = 4

| scout stars = 4

| 247 stars = 4

| espn stars = 4

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Jemarl Baker

| position = SG

| hometown = Eastvale, California

| highschool = Roosevelt High School

| feet = 6

| inches = 4

| weight = 180

| 40 =

| commitdate = 2017-04-11

| rivals stars = 4

| scout stars = 4

| 247 stars = 4

| espn stars = 4

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Hamidou Diallo

| position = SG

| hometown = Queens, New York

| highschool = Putnam Science Academy

| feet = 6

| inches = 5

| weight = 195

| 40 =

| commitdate = 2017-01-07

| rivals stars = 5

| scout stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Quade Green

| position = PG

| hometown = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

| highschool = Neumann–Goretti

| feet = 6

| inches = 1

| weight = 170

| 40 =

| commitdate = 2016-11-16

| rivals stars = 5

| scout stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Kevin Knox II

| position = SF

| hometown = Tampa, Florida

| highschool = Tampa Catholic High School

| feet = 6

| inches = 8

| weight = 205

| 40 =

| commitdate = 2017-05-06

| rivals stars =5

| scout stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Nick Richards

| position = C

| hometown = Kingston, Jamaica

| highschool = St. Patrick

| feet = 6

| inches = 11

| weight = 250

| 40 =

| commitdate = 2016-11-10

| rivals stars = 5

| scout stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = P. J. Washington

| position = PF

| hometown = Dallas, Texas

| highschool = Findlay Prep

| feet = 6

| inches = 8

| weight = 225

| 40 =

| commitdate = 2016-11-10

| rivals stars = 5

| scout stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Jarred Vanderbilt

| position = SF

| hometown = Houston, Texas

| highschool = Victory Prep

| feet = 6

| inches = 8

| weight = 215

| 40 =

| commitdate = 2016-12-23

| rivals stars = 5

| scout stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit End

| 40 =

| year = 2017

| rivals ref title = Kentucky 2017 Basketball Commitments

| scout ref title = 2017 Kentucky Basketball Commits

| espn ref title = 2017 Kentucky Basketball Commits

| rivals school = kentucky

| scout s = 87

| espn schoolid = 96

| scout overall = No. 2

| rivals overall = No. 2

| 247 overall = No. 2

| espn overall = No. 2

| accessdate = 2017-04-11

| bball = yes

}}

Immanuel Quickley, from Havre de Grace, Maryland, was the first commitment in the Kentucky's 2018 class. He committed to Kentucky on September 22, over offers from Kansas and Miami. He was a consensus five-star prospect, and was ranked the consensus No. 12 overall player by the four main recruiting services.

The Wildcats' second 2018 commitment was Keldon Johnson, a small forward from South Hill, Virginia, who committed on November 11. Kentucky beat out Maryland, NC State, and Texas for Johnson's signature. He was also a consensus five-star prospect, and ranked by ESPN as its No. 7 overall prospect.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/21380165/keldon-johnson-no-7-recruit-espn-100-commits-kentucky-wildcats |title=Keldon Johnson, No. 7 recruit in ESPN 100, joins Kentucky's 2018 class |first=Jeff |last=Borzello |work=ESPN.com |date=November 11, 2017 |access-date=November 12, 2017}}

Tyler Herro was the third commitment for Kentucky's 2018 class. Formerly committed to Wisconsin, Herro committed to Kentucky the week after his official visit. Herro was a consensus four-star prospect and was ranked the No. 4 shooting guard in the 2018 class by ESPN.

E.J. Montgomery was the fourth commitment for Kentucky's 2018 class. Former committed to Auburn, he re-opened his recruitment after the Auburn staff was implicated in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball corruption scandal. Montgomery committed to Kentucky on April 9, 2018. Montgomery was a five-star prospect and was ranked No. 12 in the 2018 class.{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/23088894/ej-montgomery-latest-5-star-recruit-commit-kentucky-wildcats |title=E.J. Montgomery latest 5-star recruit to commit to Kentucky|first=Jeff |last=Borzello |work=ESPN.com |date=April 9, 2018 |access-date=April 9, 2018}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2018}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Immanuel Quickley

| position = PG

| hometown = Havre de Grace, MD

| highschool = John Carroll School

| feet = 6

| inches = 3

| weight = 180

| 40 =

| commitdate = 09/22/2017

| scout stars = 5

| rivals stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

| espn grade = 90

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Keldon Johnson

| position = SF

| hometown = South Hill, VA

| highschool = Oak Hill Academy

| feet = 6

| inches = 6

| weight = 210

| 40 =

| commitdate = 11/11/2017

| scout stars = 5

| rivals stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

| espn grade = 94

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = Tyler Herro

| position = SG

| hometown = Milwaukee, WI

| highschool = Whitnall High School

| feet = 6

| inches = 5

| weight = 195

| 40 =

| commitdate = 11/14/2017

| scout stars = 4

| rivals stars = 4

| 247 stars = 4

| espn stars = 4

| espn grade = 89

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit Entry

| recruit = E. J. Montgomery

| position = PF

| hometown = Marietta, GA

| highschool = Joseph Wheeler High School

| feet = 6

| inches = 10

| weight = 200

| 40 =

| commitdate = 4/9/2018

| scout stars = 5

| rivals stars = 5

| 247 stars = 5

| espn stars = 5

| espn grade = 92

}}

{{College Athlete Recruit End

| 40 =

| year = 2018

| rivals ref title = Kentucky 2018 Basketball Commitments

| scout ref title = 2018 Kentucky Basketball Commits

| espn ref title = 2018 Kentucky Basketball Commits

| rivals school = kentucky

| scout s = 87

| espn schoolid = 96

| scout overall = No. 2

| rivals overall = No. 2

| 247 overall = No. 2

| espn overall = No. 2

| accessdate = 2017-04-11

| bball = yes

}}

{{CBB roster/Header|year=2017|team=Kentucky Wildcats|teamcolors=y|high_school=yes}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Quade|last=Green|link=y|num=0|pos=G|ft=6|in=0|lbs=180|class=FR|rs=|home=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|high_school=Neumann–Goretti}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Sacha|last=Killeya-Jones|link=y|num=1|pos=F|ft=6|in=10|lbs=221|class=SO|home=Chapel Hill, North Carolina|high_school=Virginia Episcopal}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Jarred|last=Vanderbilt|link=y|num=2|pos=F|ft=6|in=9|lbs=214|class=FR|rs=|home=Houston, Texas|high_school=Victory Prep}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Hamidou|last=Diallo|link=y|num=3|pos=G|ft=6|in=5|lbs=198|rs=yes|class=FR|home=Queens, New York|high_school=Putnam Science Academy}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Nick|last=Richards|link=y|num=4|pos=C|ft=6|in=11|lbs=240|class=FR|rs=|home=Kingston, Jamaica |high_school=St. Patrick (NJ)}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Kevin|last=Knox II|link=y|num=5|pos=SF|ft=6|in=9|lbs=215|class=FR|rs=|home=Tampa, Florida|high_school=Tampa Catholic}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Jonny|last=David|num=10|pos=G|ft=6|in=2|lbs=183|class=JR|home=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|high_school=Mt. Lebanon|note=W}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Brad|last=Calipari||num=12|pos=G|ft=6|in=0|lbs=176|class=SO|home=Franklin Lakes, New Jersey|high_school=MacDuffie|note=W}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Jemarl|last=Baker|num=13|pos=G|ft=6|in=4|lbs=182|class=FR|rs=|home=Eastvale, California|high_school=Eleanor Roosevelt|inj=y}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Tai|last=Wynyard|link=y|num=14|pos=F|ft=6|in=10|lbs=250|class=SO|home=Auckland, New Zealand|high_school=Rangitoto|note=S}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Shai|last=Gilgeous-Alexander|link=y|num=22|pos=G|ft=6|in=6|lbs=180|class=FR|rs=|home=Hamilton, Ontario|high_school=Hamilton Heights Christian (TN)}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=P. J.|last=Washington|link=y|num=25|pos=F|ft=6|in=7|lbs=236|class=FR|rs=|home=Dallas, Texas|high_school=Findlay Prep}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Dillon|last=Pulliam|num=30|pos=G|ft=6|in=3|lbs=195|rs=yes|class=JR|home=Cynthiana, Kentucky|high_school=Transylvania|note=W}}

{{CBB roster/Player|first=Wenyen|last=Gabriel|link=y|num=32|pos=F|ft=6|in=9|lbs=205|class=SO|home=Manchester, New Hampshire|high_school=Wilbraham & Monson}}

{{CBB roster/Footer

|head_coach=

• John Calipari (Clarion)

|asst_coach=

• Kenny Payne ({{college|Louisville}})
• Tony Barbee ({{college|UMass}})
• Joel Justus (UNC Wilmington)
• John Robic (Denison)

|roster_url=http://www.ukathletics.com/roster.aspx?path=mbball&roster=103&sort=jersey

|accessdate =

}}

• Roster is subject to change as/if players transfer or leave the program for other reasons.

{{Basketball depth chart |

|line_color = 273BE2

|alt_color = FFFFFF

|label_color = 273BE2

|starter_c = Nick Richards

|starter_pf = P. J. Washington

|starter_sf = Kevin Knox II

|starter_sg = Hamidou Diallo

|starter_pg = Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

|bench 1_c = Sacha Killeya-Jones

|bench 1_pf = Wenyen Gabriel

|bench 1_sf = Jarred Vanderbilt

|bench 1_sg =

|bench 1_pg = Quade Green

|bench 2_c = Tai Wynyard

|bench 2_pf =

|bench 2_sf = Dillon Pulliam

|bench 2_sg = Johnny David

|bench 2_pg = Brad Calipari

|bench 3_c =

|bench 3_pf =

|bench 3_sf =

|bench 3_sg =

|bench 3_pg =

}}

On June 6, 2017, Kentucky released the non-conference portion of its schedule.{{cite web|url=http://www.ukathletics.com/news/uk-men-s-basketball-unveils-2017-18-nonconference-schedule-06-06-2017|title=UK Men's Basketball Unveils 2017-18 Nonconference Schedule|date=2016-06-06|work=UKathletics.com|publisher=JMI Sports|access-date=2016-06-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610035217/http://www.ukathletics.com/news/uk-men-s-basketball-unveils-2017-18-nonconference-schedule-06-06-2017|archive-date=2017-06-10}} The schedule is highlighted by marquee match-ups at Rupp Arena and across the country. Kentucky traveled to Chicago to play Kansas in the annual Champions Classic, to New York to play Monmouth, to New Orleans to play against UCLA in the annual CBS Sports Classic, and finally to face in-state rival Louisville in Lexington. Kentucky also hosted Virginia Tech and traveled to play West Virginia in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

Big Blue Madness took place on October 13. The event was the debut of the team for the 2017–18 season. The annual Blue-White game took place on October 20, 2017.

{{CBB schedule start|gamehighs=yes|attend=yes}}

|-

!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|Kentucky Wildcats}}| Exhibition

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = October 27, 2017

| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| opponent = Thomas More

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = SECN

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 27

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Green

| assists = 7

| score = 103–61

| attend = 19,736

| record = –

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = October 30, 2017

| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| opponent = Morehead State

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| gamename = Kentucky Cares Classic

| highscorer = Diallo

| points = 23

| highrebounder = Gabriel

| rebounds = 6

| highassister = Green

| assists = 5

| score = 92–67

| attend = 14,138

| record = –

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = November 3, 2017

| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 5

| opponent = Centre

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = SECN

| highscorer = Gabriel

| points = 20

| highrebounder = Knox

| rebounds = 11

| highassister = Green

| assists = 5

| score = 106–63

| attend = 20,378

| record = –

}}

|-

!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|Kentucky Wildcats}}| Regular Season

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = November 10, 2017

| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 5

| opponent = Utah Valley

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = SECN

| highscorer = Diallo

| points = 18

| highrebounder = Gabriel

| rebounds = 12

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 5

| score = 73–63

| attend = 19,807

| record = 1–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = November 12, 2017

| time = 3:30{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 5

| opponent = Vermont

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Washington

| points = 17

| highrebounder = Washington

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Green

| assists = 4

| score = 73–69

| attend = 20,174

| record = 2–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = November 14, 2017

| time = 9:30{{nbsp}}pm

| neutral = yes

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 7

| opponent = Kansas

| opprank = 4

| site_stadium = United Center

| site_cityst = Chicago, IL

| tv = ESPN

| gamename = Champions Classic

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 20

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Diallo

| assists = 4

| score = 61–65

| attend = 21,684

| record = 2–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = November 17, 2017

| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 7

| opponent = East Tennessee State

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| gamename = Adolph Rupp Classic

| tv = SECN

| highscorer = Green

| points = 21

| highrebounder = Knox

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 6

| score = 78–61

| attend = 20,168

| record = 3–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = November 20, 2017

| time = 8:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 8

| opponent = Troy

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| gamename = Adolph Rupp Classic

| tv = SECN

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 17

| highrebounder = Diallo

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Washington

| assists = 4

| score = 70–62

| attend = 19,548

| record = 4–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = November 22, 2017

| time = 8:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 8

| opponent = Fort Wayne

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| gamename = Adolph Rupp Classic

| tv = SECN

| highscorer = Richards

| points = 25

| highrebounder = Richards

| rebounds = 15

| highassister = Green

| assists = 5

| score = 86–67

| attend = 20,645

| record = 5–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = November 26, 2017

| time = 6:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 8

| opponent = UIC

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| gamename = Adolph Rupp Classic

| tv = SECN

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 25

| highrebounder = Green

| rebounds = 6

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 4

| score = 107–73

| attend = 20,212

| record = 6–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 2, 2017

| time = 3:30{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 7

| opponent = Harvard

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 20

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 7

| highassister = Green

| assists = 5

| score = 79–70

| attend = 22,922

| record = 7–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 9, 2017

| time = 12:00{{nbsp}}pm

| neutral = yes

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 8

| opponent = Monmouth

| site_stadium = Madison Square Garden

| site_cityst = New York, NY

| tv = ESPNU

| gamename = Citi Double Cash Classic

| highscorer = Diallo

| points = 23

| highrebounder = Richards

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 9

| score = 93–76

| attend = 10,438

| record = 8–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 16, 2017

| time = 2:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 8

| opponent = Virginia Tech

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN2

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 21

| highrebounder = Gabriel

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 5

| score = 93–86

| attend = 22,690

| record = 9–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 23, 2017

| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm

| neutral = yes

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 7

| opponent = UCLA

| site_stadium = Smoothie King Center

| site_cityst = New Orleans, LA

| tv = CBS

| gamename = CBS Sports Classic

| highscorer = Diallo

| points = 18

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 6

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 5

| score = 75–83

| attend = 8,119

| record = 9–2

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 29, 2017

| time = 1:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = yes

| rank = 16

| opponent = Louisville

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| gamename = The Battle for the Bluegrass

| tv = CBS

| highscorer = Gilgeous-Alexander

| points = 24

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 7

| highassister = Green

| assists = 5

| score = 90–61

| attend = 24,228

| record = 10–2

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = December 31, 2017

| time = 6:00{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = no

| rank = 16

| opponent = Georgia

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Gilgeous-Alexander

| points = 21

| highrebounder = Gabriel

| rebounds = 11

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 4

| score = 66–61

| attend = 22,862

| record = 11–2

| conference = 1–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 3, 2018

| time = 8:30{{nbsp}}pm

| nonconf = no

| rank = 17

| away = yes

| opponent = LSU

| site_stadium = Pete Maravich Assembly Center

| site_cityst = Baton Rouge, LA

| tv = SECN

| highscorer = Tied

| points = 18

| highrebounder = Knox

| rebounds = 11

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 4

| score = 74–71

| attend = 11,952

| record = 12–2

| conference = 2–0

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 6, 2018

| time = 9:00{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 17

| away = yes

| opponent = Tennessee

| opprank = 23

| site_stadium = Thompson-Boling Arena

| site_cityst = Knoxville, TN

| tv = SECN

| gamename = Rivalry

| highscorer = Green

| points = 14

| highrebounder = Richards

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 6

| score = 65–76

| attend = 21,678

| record = 12–3

| conference = 2–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 9, 2018

| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 21

| opponent = Texas A&M

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Diallo

| points = 18

| highrebounder = Gilgeous-Alexander

| rebounds = 7

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 5

| score = 74–73

| attend = 22,643

| record = 13–3

| conference = 3–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 13, 2018

| time = 4:00{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 21

| away = yes

| opponent = Vanderbilt

| site_stadium = Memorial Gymnasium

| site_cityst = Nashville, TN

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Gilgeous-Alexander

| points = 22

| highrebounder = Gabriel

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 6

| score = 74–67

| attend = 13,389

| record = 14–3

| conference = 4–1

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 16, 2018

| time = 9:00{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 18

| away = yes

| opponent = South Carolina

| site_stadium = Colonial Life Arena

| site_cityst = Columbia, SC

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 21

| highrebounder = Knox

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Vanderbilt

| assists = 3

| score = 68–76

| attend = 16,200

| record = 14–4

| conference = 4–2

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 20, 2018

| time = 8:15 pm

| rank = 18

| opponent = Florida

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN

| gamename = Rivalry/College GameDay

| highscorer = Tied

| points = 10

| highrebounder = Richards

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 6

| score = 64–66

| attend = 24,394

| record = 14–5

| conference = 4–3

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 23, 2018

| time = 9:00{{nbsp}}pm

| opponent = Mississippi State

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Washington

| points = 22

| highrebounder = Tied

| rebounds = 7

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 6

| score = 78–65

| attend = 20,609

| record = 15–5

| conference = 5–3

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 27, 2018

| time = 7:00 pm

| nonconf = yes

| away = yes

| opponent = West Virginia

| opprank = 7

| site_stadium = WVU Coliseum

| site_cityst = Morgantown, WV

| tv = ESPN

| gamename = Big 12/SEC Challenge/College GameDay

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 34

| highrebounder = Vanderbilt

| rebounds = 11

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 5

| score = 83–76

| attend = 15,835

| record = 16–5

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = January 30, 2018

| time = 9:00{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 21

| opponent = Vanderbilt

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Gilgeous-Alexander

| points = 30

| highrebounder = Knox

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 3

| score = 83–81

| overtime = OT

| attend = 21,143

| record = 17–5

| conference = 6–3

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 3, 2018

| time = 2:00{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 21

| away = yes

| opponent = Missouri

| site_stadium = Mizzou Arena

| site_cityst = Columbia, MO

| tv = CBS

| highscorer = Gilgeous-Alexander

| points = 15

| highrebounder = Vanderbilt

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 6

| score = 60–69

| attend = 15,061

| record = 17–6

| conference = 6–4

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 6, 2018

| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 24

| opponent = Tennessee

| opprank = 15

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN

| gamename = Rivalry

| highscorer = Tied

| points = 15

| highrebounder = Richards

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 6

| score = 59–61

| attend = 23,332

| record = 17–7

| conference = 6–5

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 10, 2018

| time = 8:15{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 24

| away = yes

| opponent = Texas A&M

| site_stadium = Reed Arena

| site_cityst = College Station, TX

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Gilgeous-Alexander

| points = 19

| highrebounder = Washington

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 8

| score = 74–85

| attend = 13,263

| record = 17–8

| conference = 6–6

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 14, 2018

| time = 9:00{{nbsp}}pm

| away = yes

| opponent = Auburn

| opprank = 10

| site_stadium = Auburn Arena

| site_cityst = Auburn, AL

| tv = ESPN2

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 19

| highrebounder = Vanderbilt

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Vanderbilt

| assists = 3

| score = 66–76

| attend = 9,121

| record = 17–9

| conference = 6–7

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 17, 2018

| time = 2:00{{nbsp}}pm

| opponent = Alabama

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = CBS

| highscorer = Washington

| points = 16

| highrebounder = Vanderbilt

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 4

| score = 81–71

| attend = 23,220

| record = 18–9

| conference = 7–7

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 20, 2018

| time = 9:00{{nbsp}}pm

| away = yes

| opponent = Arkansas

| site_stadium = Bud Walton Arena

| site_cityst = Fayetteville, AR

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 23

| highrebounder = Washington

| rebounds = 10

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 7

| score = 87–72

| attend = 18,083

| record = 19–9

| conference = 8–7

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 24, 2018

| time = 8:15{{nbsp}}pm

| opponent = Missouri

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 21

| highrebounder = Vanderbilt

| rebounds = 15

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 8

| score = 87–66

| attend = 23,038

| record = 20–9

| conference = 9–7

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = February 28, 2018

| time = 7:00{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 23

| opponent = Ole Miss

| site_stadium = Rupp Arena

| site_cityst = Lexington, KY

| tv = ESPN2

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 22

| highrebounder = Vanderbilt

| rebounds = 11

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 10

| score = 96–78

| attend = 22,108

| record = 21–9

| conference = 10–7

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 3, 2018

| time = 12:00{{nbsp}}pm

| rank = 23

| away = yes

| opponent = Florida

| site_stadium = O'Connell Center

| site_cityst = Gainesville, FL

| tv = CBS

| gamename = Rivalry

| highscorer = Gilgeous-Alexander

| points = 17

| highrebounder = Washington

| rebounds = 7

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 4

| score = 67–80

| attend = 10,558

| record = 21–10

| conference = 10–8

}}

|-

!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|Kentucky Wildcats}}|2018 SEC men's basketball tournament

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 9, 2018

| time = 3:30{{nbsp}}pm

| neutral = yes

| seed = 4

| opponent = Georgia

| oppseed = 12

| site_stadium = Scottrade Center

| site_cityst = St. Louis, MO

| gamename = Quarterfinals

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Washington

| points = 18

| highrebounder = Knox

| rebounds = 9

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 9

| score = 62–49

| attend = 16,364

| record = 22–10

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 10, 2018

| time = 1:00{{nbsp}}pm

| neutral = yes

| seed = 4

| opponent = Alabama

| oppseed = 9

| site_stadium = Scottrade Center

| site_cityst = St. Louis, MO

| gamename = Semifinals

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Gabriel

| points = 23

| highrebounder = Washington

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 8

| score = 86–63

| attend = 18,729

| record = 23–10

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 11, 2018

| time = 1:00{{nbsp}}pm

| neutral = yes

| seed = 4

| opponent = Tennessee

| opprank = 13

| oppseed = 2

| site_stadium = Scottrade Center

| site_cityst = St. Louis, MO

| gamename = Championship

| tv = ESPN

| highscorer = Gilgeous-Alexander

| points = 29

| highrebounder = Knox

| rebounds = 7

| highassister = Tied

| assists = 3

| score = 77–72

| attend = 18,973

| record = 24–10

}}

|-

!colspan=12 style={{NCAA color cell|Kentucky Wildcats}}| 2018 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 15, 2018

| time = 7:10 pm

| nonconf = yes

| neutral = yes

| rank = 18

| seed = 5 S

| opponent = Davidson

| oppseed = 12 S

| site_stadium = Taco Bell Arena

| site_cityst = Boise, ID

| gamename = First Round

| attend = 11,673

| tv = CBS

| score = 78–73

| highscorer = Knox

| points = 25

| highrebounder = Gilgeous-Alexander

| rebounds = 8

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 7

| record = 25–10

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 17, 2018

| time = 5:15 pm

| nonconf = yes

| neutral = yes

| rank = 18

| seed = 5 S

| opponent = Buffalo

| oppseed = 13 S

| site_stadium = Taco Bell Arena

| site_cityst = Boise, ID

| gamename = Second Round

| attend = 11,686

| tv = CBS

| score = 95–75

| highscorer = Gilgeous-Alexander

| points = 27

| highrebounder = Gabriel

| rebounds = 11

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 6

| record = 26–10

}}

{{CBB schedule entry

| date = March 22, 2018

| time = 9:37 pm

| nonconf = yes

| neutral = yes

| rank = 18

| seed = 5 S

| opponent = Kansas State

| oppseed = 9 S

| site_stadium = Philips Arena

| site_cityst = Atlanta, GA

| gamename = Sweet Sixteen

| attend = 15,616

| tv = CBS

| score = 58–61

| highscorer = Washington

| points = 18

| highrebounder = Washington

| rebounds = 15

| highassister = Gilgeous-Alexander

| assists = 5

| record = 26–11

}}

{{CBB schedule end|poll=AP Poll|timezone=Eastern Time|region=S|regionname=South}}

{{See also|2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings}}

{{Ranking movements

| poll1title = AP

| poll1firstweek = 0

| poll1lastweek = 18

| poll1_0 = 5

| poll1_1 = 7

| poll1_2 = 8

| poll1_3 = 7

| poll1_4 = 8

| poll1_5 = 8

| poll1_6 = 7

| poll1_7 = 16

| poll1_8 = 17

| poll1_9 = 21

| poll1_10 = 18

| poll1_11 = RV

| poll1_12 = 21

| poll1_13 = 24

| poll1_14 = RV

| poll1_15 = RV

| poll1_16 = 24

| poll1_17 = RV

| poll1_18 = 18

| poll1_19 =

| poll2title = Coaches

| poll2firstweek = 0

| poll2lastweek = 19

| poll2_0 = 4

| poll2_1 = 8

| poll2_2 = 8

| poll2_3 = 7

| poll2_4 = 7

| poll2_5 = 5

| poll2_6 = 6

| poll2_7 = 16

| poll2_8 = 14

| poll2_9 = 20

| poll2_10 = 16

| poll2_11 = RV

| poll2_12 = 22

| poll2_13 = 24

| poll2_14 = RV

| poll2_15 = RV

| poll2_16 = 25

| poll2_17 = RV

| poll2_18 = 20

| poll2_19 = 17

}}

*AP does not release post-NCAA Tournament rankings

{{Reflist|30em}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:2017-18 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team}}

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