Some traditions never really leave Lexington; they just wait for the right moment to come back. And ahead of one of Kentucky’s biggest home games of the 2025-26 NCAA season, Mark Pope and the Wildcats have decided to lean fully into nostalgia as a holiday gift to the Big Blue Nation.

Just days after the head coach’s wholesome gesture for the fans after a game against Bellarmine, Kentucky basketball is back with another surprise on Christmas morning, announcing that the Wildcats will wear their iconic denim uniforms when rival Tennessee visits Rupp Arena on February 7.

The reveal came via social media, teasing the return of a look that has been woven into one of the most celebrated chapters in program history.

The denim uniforms were last worn during the 1995–96 season, when Kentucky, then coached by Rick Pitino, stormed its way to a national championship behind stars like Tony Delk, Antoine Walker, and Ron Mercer. Even Mark Pope, now Kentucky’s head coach, was a part of that title-winning roster, where he served as a key bench contributor.

And since returning to his alma mater in April 2024, Pope has made it clear that reconnecting with that championship identity mattered to him. He even brought one of his original denim jerseys to his introductory press conference, which sparked immediate speculation among fans about a possible return of the uniform.

Even back in January, Mark Pope revealed that they were working on getting the iconic uniforms back.

“I’m not really allowed to say this, so it’s just between the two of us: I’m working on it,” Pope said as per SI. “It’s amazing the red tape that we have to go through to make this happen, but we’re pretty passionate about trying to make that happen. We’ll see what we come up with. It’s definitely on my agenda of things to get accomplished.”

However, while these uniforms will be back soon, they do have a tweak to them. The denim uniforms the Wildcats will wear against Tennessee aren’t exact replicas of the Converse-branded versions from the 1990s, but will be produced by Nike, giving them a modern touch while preserving the same nostalgic feel.

The timing of these returns only adds to the symbolism. This season marks the 30th anniversary of Kentucky’s 1995–96 title run. So, for Mark Pope, this moment is personal, and for fans, it’s a visual reminder of what Kentucky basketball has always represented at its best.

How has Mark Pope’s Kentucky looked so far this season?

The Kentucky Wildcats are on their much-deserved rest over the holidays, even if they remain outside the Week 8 AP Top 25.

After a slow start to the season, Mark Pope’s team closed December on a positive note, picking up four straight wins, including its first victory over a ranked opponent with a win against St. John’s, which also pushed Rick Pitino’s team out of the Top 25.  Those wins have improved Kentucky to a 9–4 record.

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However, they are far from being outside the doghouse. Despite the expectations that came with a $22 million roster, the Wildcats struggled against top-tier competition, suffering losses to Louisville, Michigan State, and North Carolina.

Their lowest point came on December 5, when Kentucky was overwhelmed 94–59 by Gonzaga in Nashville, a performance that raised serious questions about the team’s defensive identity and cohesion.

But since then, the response has been far more encouraging. Offensively, senior guard Otega Oweh has taken on a steadying role, averaging 14.5 points per game while helping anchor the lineup during Jayden Quaintance’s return from a lengthy injury absence.

Still, Mark Pope has been candid about the work that remains, as defensive consistency continues to be the biggest concern for the team, even during wins. Kentucky recently allowed Bellarmine to score 85 points against them, where they were expected to win by a landslide.

Statistically, the Wildcats are averaging 83.8 points per game and rank among the nation’s better teams in ball movement, but those numbers have yet to translate against elite opponents. Kentucky currently sits at 1–3 against ranked teams, and when they come back on the court after their holidays, they will be expected to overcome these shortcomings.

The Kentucky Wildcats will play their next game against the No. 14-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on January 3.