2018-19 Kentucky Basketball schedule as it currently stands

We have not even made it to June and the anticipation is already building for basketball season in Lexington.

With a new two-game series announced against the Utah Utes, the Kentucky Wildcats’ non-conference schedule is nearly finished.

In addition to the preseason games in the Bahamas, Kentucky only has two of the traditional “gimme” games on the schedule in Monmouth and UNC-Greensboro (who is a very good team).

The remaining opponents come from Power 5 conferences and the Big East.

The new series with Utah is particularly interesting due to the tournament history between the two teams. Kentucky has eliminated Utah from the big dance on six different occasions.

And when you add the fact that the 2019 location is Las Vegas, this is sure to be a fun run against the Utes.

Although the Cats will still get knocked on their resume come tournament time, Kentucky will face some of the best that the ACC has to offer in Duke and North Carolina. Louisville is also an opponent.

I know it is difficult to imagine with Duke and Louisville on the schedule, but another potentially huge game on the schedule could be the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

Perhaps that could be the Kansas State Wildcats, who eliminated Kentucky from the NCAA tournament a few months ago. Can you imagine how loud Rupp Arena will be if Kansas State comes into town this season?

Then again, it probably will be the West Virginia Mountaineers since Kentucky played in Morgantown last season.

There could be a few additional announcements, but next season’s basketballs schedule is already packed with stiff competition and great story lines. Can it be October already?