Kentucky and Florida to play on Senior Day — the way God intended

Finally, the Kentucky-Florida game is back where it belongs on the basketball schedule. Today, the SEC released the schedules for all sixteen of its participating institutions, revealing an exciting Senior Day in Lexington. Mark Pope’s Wildcats will host the defending champs, Florida, in the final game of the regular season on March 7, 2026. The time and TV network for that game and the others will be announced at a later date.

You know, there was a time when Florida on Senior Day was a March tradition. The Gators have been Kentucky’s Senior Day opponent more than any other team, including a run of more than half of the Senior Days in Lexington from 2000 to 2015. And in the years that Florida wasn’t Kentucky’s Senior Day opponent, Kentucky played at Florida in the final road game of the year on Senior Day in Gainesville. In fact, the Wildcats played Florida in the final home or road game of the regular season in all but two seasons from 2000 to 2022.

A prediction: it will mean more in 2026

Kentucky and Florida have played several meaningful basketball games over the years, but not since 2001 has the SEC title been on the line. Back then, Florida (11-4) hosted first-place Kentucky (12-3) in the final game of the regular season, needing a win to split the SEC’s regular season crown with the Wildcats. The No. 6 Gators beat No. 15 Kentucky, winning 94-86. Teddy Dupay led Florida with 28 points, although Keith Bogans was the game’s high-scorer with 29 in the loss.

I bring up that memory because I predict the upcoming game on March 7, 2026, will also have SEC regular-season implications for the first time in 25 years. Kentucky and Florida are set up to be the SEC’s two best teams. If both reach their potential, they could be playing for more than rivalry bragging rights on Senior Day ’26 in Lexington.

Kentucky vs. Florida memories

From Keith Bogans and Gerald Fitch popping their jerseys in the O’Dome to Nick Calathes missing free throws in Rupp Arena, KSR looked back at many of the Kentucky-Florida memories from the SEC’s best basketball rivalry. However, the list was written before last year’s game in the SEC opener, so Kentucky’s 2025 win over the eventual national champ is notably missing. You can relive it below instead.