Gary Parrish of CBS Sports has listed his top 25 games before January and Kentucky is in 5 of those games.
Here is a look:
Tuesday, Nov. 18: No. 1 Kentucky vs. No. 5 Kansas (in Indianapolis, Indiana)
This is the marquee matchup of the annual Tip-Off Marathon. It’s the SEC favorite against the Big 12 favorite, a coach with a national title against another coach with a national title, and a dozen or more prospects who can reasonably expect to play in the NBA someday — most notably Kentucky big Karl Towns and Kansas big Cliff Alexander. It’ll be interesting to see if John Calipari truly sticks with his platoon system the entire 40 minutes. I have my doubts
Friday, Dec. 5: No. 10 Texas at No. 1 Kentucky
Two of the best frontcourts in college basketball will bang against each other in this Friday night matchup. It’s Myles Turner, Cameron Ridley and Jonathan Holmes against Karl Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Trey Lyles and Alex Poythress, and the SEC/Big 12 Challenge could be decided by this high-profile game.
Saturday, Dec. 13: No. 6 North Carolina at No. 1 Kentucky
With apologies to Duke and North Carolina State supporters, no fans seem to be enjoying UNC’s academic scandal more than Kentucky fans. So, presumably, they’ll take great pleasure in mocking Roy Williams when he visits Rupp Arena for a game between two of the most accomplished programs in history.
Saturday, Dec. 20: No. 1 Kentucky vs. UCLA (in Chicago, Illinois)
The second half of the CBS Sports Classic pits two monster brands against each other, and that’s always fun. But it’s hard to envision the Bruins winning unless Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams return to college for the afternoon.
And the game that Parrish thought Kentucky will be an underdog:
Saturday, Dec. 27: No. 1 Kentucky at No. 8 Louisville
This is the fifth UK game listed and the most intriguing because it’s likely the only non-league contest in which the Wildcats will be underdogs. Plus, it’s John Calipari vs. Rick Pitino, which is always fun. Plus, it’s UK fans vs. Louisville fans, which is always bananas.
Read “NCAA basketball’s 25 best non-league games scheduled before January” by clicking here.
Which games do you think Kentucky will lose?
Rank them in the comments of best chance to win to best chance to lose.
