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As we enter the summer, it won't be long until we know the full 2016-17 schedule for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Another team now reportedly part of the schedule are the Valparaiso Crusaders, according to KSR's Matt Jones:
Hearing that among Kentucky's non-conference games next year, they will play Valparaiso in Rupp Arena
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) May 23, 2016
We now have UK vs Valparaiso and Duquesne in terms of random "Mid-major" type games for UK next year in Rupp Arena
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) May 23, 2016
When it comes to the NCAA Tournament selection process, a team's RPI is something that can be factored into how said team is seeded, though it seems like this is more of something that is used when it's convenient and not necessarily something used for all 68 teams.
Either way, it is an important factor, and Valparaiso is a team that typically makes a team's RPI look better. They've finished with an RPI of 60 or better in three of the past five seasons, including RPIs of 49 and 50 over the past two seasons.
This will also be a good challenge for a young UK squad starting anywhere from 3-5 freshman next year. The Crusaders have gone 58-13 over the past two seasons while winning the Horizon League regular-season crown both times.