Kentucky's non-league slate includes two elite teams

Kentucky released its non-conference slate and while it's still loaded with home games and no shortage of cupcakes, it also includes dates with the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the CBSSports.com Preseason. Top 25 (and one).

By Jeff Goodman

May 1, 2013 at 12:56 pm ET • 1 min read

Kentucky will almost certainly open the 2013-14 season as the No. 1 team in the land. The Wildcats will bring in the best recruiting class in the history of college basketball if they can land the top-ranked player in the nation, Andrew Wiggins -- and you can make an argument that John Calipari will still boast the top class even if he misses on Wiggins.

The school released its non-conference slate and guys like Julius Randle and the Harrison Twins will make their official debuts on Nov. 8 at Rupp against UNC Asheville and its new coach, Nick McDevitt.

There will be four non-league matchups against teams in the Preseason Top 25 (and one): home against No. 2 Louisville (Nov. 28), in Chicago against No. 3 Michigan State (Nov. 12), at No. 8 North Carolina (Dec. 14) and at Rupp against No. 25 Boise State (Dec. 10). Kentucky will also face No. 5 Florida and No. 17 Tennessee in SEC play.

It's not a major upgrade over last year's non-conference slate, but it's an upgrade because Kentucky has the two other elite teams entering the season on the schedule: Louisville and Michigan State.

There's also a rematch with Robert Morris. You know, the team that knocked the 'Cats out of the NIT this past season.

Here's the complete non-conference schedule (home games are in bold)

Nov. 8 - UNC Asheville

Nov. 10 - Northern Kentucky

Nov. 12 vs. Michigan State in the Champions Classic (Chicago)

Nov. 17 - Robert Morris

Nov. 19 - Texas-Arlington

Nov. 25 - Cleveland State

Nov. 27 - Eastern Michigan

Dec. 3 - vs. Providence (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

Dec. 6 - vs. Baylor (in Arlington, Texas)

Dec. 10 - Boise State