College basketball fans have a busy Friday ahead, with several of the sport's biggest programs continuing their preseason preparations. Kentucky, Michigan, Kansas, BYU and Arizona are among the teams scheduled to compete in exhibition games on October 16, giving fans an opportunity to see how their favorite programs are developing before the regular season begins.
Friday's slate features some particularly interesting matchups. Defending national champion Michigan hosts Oregon State, Kentucky welcomes Little Rock to Rupp Arena, and Kansas continues its Late Night in the Phog tradition with an exhibition against Pittsburg State. BYU will host Nebraska in a meeting between two major-conference programs, while Arizona welcomes San Diego State in one of the night's final games.
Although exhibition results do not count toward regular-season records, these contests are important for coaches evaluating new lineups, developing chemistry and deciding which players will have the biggest roles. Here is Friday's schedule, including Eastern tipoff times and available broadcast information.
Men's college basketball exhibition schedule for Friday, October 16
All times Eastern. Games listed are exhibitions and do not count toward regular-season records.
Michigan continues its national championship defense preparations
Michigan will be one of the most closely watched programs on Friday when Oregon State visits Crisler Center at 7 p.m. ET. The Wolverines enter the 2026-27 season as defending national champions, but there is a new face leading the program. Mike Boynton Jr. was promoted to head coach after spending the previous two seasons on Michigan's staff, creating an interesting transition for a program coming off an unforgettable championship run.
Michigan opened exhibition play with an 87-62 victory over Eastern Michigan on October 11. The Wolverines now face another opportunity to evaluate their rotation against Oregon State before taking on Houston in a high-profile exhibition on October 25. With expectations remaining enormous in Ann Arbor, every preseason game offers another look at how Michigan plans to maintain its place among the nation's elite programs.
Kentucky welcomes Little Rock to Rupp Arena
Kentucky will host Little Rock at 7 p.m. ET, with the game available through SEC Network+. Mark Pope's Wildcats enter another season with enormous expectations from a fan base that wants Kentucky competing for championships. Friday's exhibition gives the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate offensive execution, defensive communication and lineup combinations against unfamiliar competition.
The Wildcats have an ambitious preseason schedule that includes Texas Tech on October 23 and UCF on October 28. Those matchups should help Kentucky prepare for the challenges awaiting it during the regular season. Little Rock provides the next opportunity to establish chemistry and identify the areas that need additional work before November arrives.
Kansas brings Pittsburg State to Late Night in the Phog
Kansas will combine its traditional Late Night in the Phog celebration with an exhibition game against Pittsburg State at Allen Fieldhouse. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+. The event provides another opportunity for Jayhawks fans to celebrate the approaching season while getting an early look at Bill Self's team.
The matchup also features an interesting coaching connection because Pittsburg State is led by former Kansas standout Jeff Boschee. His return to Allen Fieldhouse adds another storyline to a night already filled with program tradition. Kansas has additional exhibitions scheduled against Louisville and Duke later this month, making Friday an important first step in preparing for those more demanding opponents.
BYU and Nebraska meet in Provo
One of Friday's most intriguing exhibitions will take place at the Marriott Center, where BYU hosts Nebraska at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Both programs are preparing for demanding conference schedules, and the matchup provides an opportunity to evaluate their progress against major-conference competition. Unlike many preseason exhibitions, this game features opponents with the ability to challenge one another on both ends of the court.
BYU will attempt to establish its offensive rhythm in front of its home crowd, while Nebraska will be looking for signs that its rotation is developing the consistency necessary for Big Ten competition. The Cornhuskers have another exhibition scheduled against Kansas State later this month. Friday's meeting should give both coaching staffs valuable information before regular-season results begin affecting their postseason résumés.
Arizona hosts San Diego State in a late-night showdown
Arizona will conclude the evening's major exhibition action against San Diego State at 10 p.m. ET. The game will be available through ESPN+, giving fans another opportunity to watch Tommy Lloyd's Wildcats after their Final Four appearance last season. Arizona has established itself among the nation's strongest programs, but the preseason remains an important period for evaluating new combinations and building chemistry.
The Wildcats already have exhibition experience after defeating San Francisco 93-69 earlier this week. San Diego State brings a tradition of defensive toughness and postseason success, making the matchup an appealing test before regular-season competition begins. Arizona will be looking to build on its previous performance while identifying the adjustments necessary to compete for another conference championship.
Virginia Tech coach Mike Young returns to Wofford
Friday's schedule also includes an interesting coaching reunion when Virginia Tech visits Wofford at 5 p.m. ET. Hokies coach Mike Young spent 17 seasons leading Wofford and helped establish the Terriers as one of the Southern Conference's strongest programs. His tenure included multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a memorable 2018-19 campaign that produced a 30-win season.
Young's return provides Wofford fans with an opportunity to welcome back a coach who played an important role in the program's development. The exhibition also gives Virginia Tech an opportunity to evaluate its roster away from home. While the result will not count toward either team's regular-season record, the history surrounding the matchup makes it one of Friday's more interesting stories.
Which college basketball exhibition should fans watch?
Friday offers several appealing options for fans eager to get an early look at the upcoming season. Michigan-Oregon State and Kentucky-Little Rock both begin at 7 p.m. ET, while Kansas hosts Pittsburg State at 8 p.m. ET. BYU-Nebraska follows at 9 p.m. ET before Arizona and San Diego State take the court at 10 p.m. ET.
The exhibition schedule also includes Georgetown visiting George Washington, Charlotte traveling to Georgia and several additional matchups involving smaller programs. Those games provide valuable opportunities for coaches to evaluate their teams before the regular season begins. With November approaching, Friday's action should offer another interesting glimpse at which programs are beginning to find their identity.
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