Kentucky releases loaded nonconference basketball schedule

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky released its complete 2014-15 nonconference men's basketball schedule Wednesday, and along with previously announced marquee games against Kansas, Texas, North Carolina, UCLA and Louisville, the Wildcats will play some other notable opponents.

One of those is Buffalo, coached by former Duke star and UK villain Bobby Hurley, which will visit Rupp Arena on Nov. 16. That matchup and home games against Grand Canyon (Nov. 14) — coached by former NBA star Dan Majerle — Montana State (Nov. 23) and Texas-Arlington (Nov. 25) will make up the Cawood Ledford Classic, a newly named event in honor of the Cats' legendary radio announcer.

UK also will host Boston (Nov. 21), Providence (Nov. 30), Texas (Dec. 5), Eastern Kentucky (Dec. 7), Columbia (Dec. 10) and North Carolina (Dec. 13). The Cats will face Kansas on Dec. 18 in the Champions Classic in Indianapolis, UCLA on Dec. 20 in the CBS Sports Classic in Chicago and Louisville on Dec. 27 in the KFC Yum! Center.

Kentucky will play four of the top eight programs in all-time NCAA championships: UCLA, North Carolina, Kansas and Louisville have combined for 22. The Cats' nonconference schedule includes seven games against teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season: Kansas, Louisville, UCLA, UNC, Texas, Providence and EKU.

Eight of the 13 nonconference opponents finished in the top 100 of the RPI last season: No. 4 Kansas, No. 15 UCLA, No. 16 Louisville, No. 23 North Carolina, No. 41 Texas, No. 46 Providence, No. 90 Boston, No. 95 Eastern Kentucky, No. 108 Buffalo and No. 127 Columbia. Only three finished sub-200: No. 204 Texas-Arlington, No. 220 Grand Canyon and No. 277 Montana State.

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Follow him on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ.

Here is UK's complete 2014-15 nonconference schedule, including exhibition games:

Oct. 17 – Big Blue Madness

Oct. 27 – Blue-White Game

Nov. 2 – Pikeville (Exhibition)

Nov. 7 – Georgetown College (Exhibition)

Nov. 14 – Grand Canyon (Cawood Ledford Classic), SEC Network

Nov. 16 – Buffalo (Cawood Ledford Classic), ESPNU

Nov. 18 – Kansas (Champions Classic in Indianapolis), ESPN

Nov. 21 – Boston

Nov. 23 – Montana State (Cawood Ledford Classic)

Nov. 25 – UT-Arlington (Cawood Ledford Classic)

Nov. 30 – Providence, 2 p.m., ESPN2

Dec. 5 – Texas (SEC/Big 12 Challenge), ESPN

Dec. 7 – Eastern Kentucky

Dec. 10 – Columbia, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Dec. 13 – North Carolina, Noon, CBS

Dec. 20 – UCLA (CBS Sports Classic in Chicago), 3:30 p.m., CBS

Dec. 27 – at Louisville, ESPN2

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Follow him on Twitter @KyleTucker_CJ.