Men’s basketball 2013 non-conference schedule announced

The 2013 University of Kentucky’s Men’s basketball non-conference schedule was announced earlier this week. There are never a lot of surprises with these official announcements, but there were a number of complaints among fans. The schedule lacks any major opponents coming to Rupp Arena, instead featuring a series of weak opponents and insignificant games in Lexington. The official schedule can be found here.

The schedule is also included in-text below.

• October 12 (Fri) BIG BLUE MADNESS
• October 24 (Wed) BLUE-WHITE GAME

• November 1 (Thurs) NORTHWOOD (Exh.)
• November 5 (Mon) TRANSYLVANIA (Exh.)
• November 9 (Fri) vs. Maryland
• November 13 (Tues) vs. Duke
• November 16 (Fri) LAFAYETTE COLLEGE (Pa.)
• November 21 (Wed) MOREHEAD STATE
• November 23 (Fri) LONG ISLAND UNIV.
• November 29 (Thu) at Notre Dame

• December 1 (Sat) BAYLOR
• December 4 (Tues) SAMFORD
• December 8 (Sat) PORTLAND
• December 15 (Sat) LIPSCOMB
• December 22 (Sat) MARSHALL
• December 29 (Sat) at Louisville

• January 3 (Wed) EASTERN MICHIGAN

As of July 6, 2012 / HOME GAMES in BOLD CAPS. All dates and times are subject to change.

Highlights of the home schedule are few and far between, prompting considerable criticism among fans. Baylor is the only top-tier team being played in Rupp Arena, with a number of weaker opponents coming to Lexington. There isn’t much grandeur to the schedule, and it hardly seems deserving of the defending national champions. For the vast majority of fans unable to attend games at Rupp, this might seem like a minor problem. But on a year with a mixed-up conference schedule and another ticket price increase, a more consistent and competitive home schedule would have been a welcome sight.

Looking at the schedule on the whole, Duke and Louisville are the only major hurdles in the first half of the year. Maryland, Notre Dame, Baylor, and even Marshall may be speed bumps along the way, especially to a young team like next year’s. Unfortunately most of the weak opponents come in the middle of the schedule, meaning another group of freshmen will be tested right out of the gates, then allowed to ease back into a lighter schedule as they prepare for conference play.

Coach Calipari has often been questioned regarding Kentucky’s scheduling during his tenure as coach. It’s easy to scoff at a schedule full of lightweights and limited competition. But then again, he just led an incredible team to a national championship, so he might just know what he’s doing.