Kentucky basketball's most important non-conference games of the 2023-24 season
The Kentucky Wildcats' 2023-24 non-conference schedule has been released.
It's going to be a tough one for John Calipari & Co. to navigate.
With a refreshed roster, a young core of scorers and some height in the frontcourt, UK looks better prepared to challenge their difficult slate.
Here's the five most important non-conference games for the Wildcats.
Louisville Cardinals
Series History: UK leads, 38-17
Why it matters: It's pretty clear why this game made the list. Despite the Cardinals' state as a basketball program, this is still a heated rivalry that should be a little more competitive this season, especially if Louisville shows some signs of life in Kenny Payne's second season.
As far as resume-boosters go, this won't end up being a strong one if the Wildcats win.
Miami (ACC/SEC Challenge)
Series History: UK leads, 3-1
Why it matters: Miami lost its top two scorers from their Final Four run last season, but they return scorers three through six and brought in Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland to shore up power forward.
The Hurricanes' projected starting five has three scorers of 13.3+ points per game scorers. This is still a very good team and will pose huge problems for an inexperienced UK squad early in the slate.
This could end up being a big Quad 1 win for the Wildcats.
North Carolina (CBS Sports Classic)
Series History: UNC leads, 25-17
Why it matters: Kentucky hasn't played North Carolina since 2021. Given the prestigious statuses of these two programs, it is a shame they have taken a bit of a break the past half decade.
Outside of UNC likely being above bubble watch caliber play and this potentially being a Quad 1 game, the value of this one comes in the fact that these teams are both blue as blue bloods can get. This should be a very fun game in Atlanta.
Kansas (State Farm Champions Classic)
Series History: UK leads, 24-11
Why it matters: Revenge. The Wildcats are more talented, more physical and should be more efficient on the offensive end of the floor this season. The loss last year was what it was, but it'll be hard to swallow another one where the main takeaway is "the Jayhawks are simply just a better team."
UK needs this one badly to prove they are back on track early in the schedule.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Series History: Tied, 1-1
Why it matters: Whew boy. This one means a lot for various reasons.
This contest being played in February instead of late November/early December is huge. Forget the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, let's just have a pair of (potentially) top 15 teams from different conferences square off against each other a month away from the postseason.
There will be so much for Kentucky to take away from this one. How does their defense play against a high-octane, non-SEC school? Can they score a win in what may be the biggest home non-conference game of the last decade? This is a definitive resume booster for either team (barring a massive fall).
Get this one, and feel better about where your team is heading into March.
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