The team played its home games in Lexington, Kentucky for the 43rd consecutive season at Rupp Arena, with a capacity of 20,500.

The Wildcats, led by John Calipari in his 10th season as head coach, played in the Southeastern Conference.

[4] On April 6, Kevin Knox II announced that he would declare for the 2018 NBA draft and would hire an agent, forgoing his remaining eligibility.

[6] Also, on April 9, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander announced that he would declare for the draft and would be hiring an agent, foregoing his remaining NCAA eligibility.

[8] Three other players announced their entry in the draft, but did not initially hire agents, giving them the option to return to Kentucky.

[12][13] Immanuel Quickley, from Havre de Grace, Maryland, was the first commitment to Kentucky's 2018 class.

Kentucky beat out Maryland, NC State, and Texas for Johnson's signature.

[15] On April 10, 2018, Ashton Hagans committed to the University of Kentucky over offers from Georgia and North Carolina.

[17] Travis was a two-time first team All-Pac-12 for Stanford and averaged 19.5 PPG and 8.7 RPG in his final year with the Cardinal.