Kentucky Basketball: Early Look at Wildcats' Most Intriguing Games

Kentucky basketball didn't do itself any favors with cupcake games in the 2015-16 season. The nonconference schedule is loaded with big-name programs and top events throughout the country.

Six of the 13 nonconference teams played in the NCAA tournament last season, including the reigning national champions. Five of the games will be played in famous buildings, including Allen Fieldhouse, Pauley Pavilion and the Barclays Center.

We'll take a look at the most intriguing games during the nonconference schedule for Kentucky basketball.

4. Vs. Ohio State in the Barclay's Center

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This game is part of the second annual CBS Sports Classic, the same event in which Kentucky beat UCLA by about 100 points in last season in the United Center. This season, the Wildcats will face Ohio State in the event at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 

It won't have the same draw as last season, when Kentucky boasted an incredible roster while Ohio State had D'Angelo Russell. However, these two schools are separated by less than three hours and have alumni often living in the same city together. The last time these two teams met, it was Kentucky upsetting the No. 1 overall seed Ohio State team in the 2011 Sweet 16. 

Both teams will be replacing a ton of talent, as Ohio State has to replace four of their five starters from last season.

3. Vs. Duke at the United Center

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Saying the word "Duke" around most Kentucky fans usually sends them into electric shock as the image of Christian Laettner shooting the ball comes back to mind. 

The two best programs in college basketball will faceoff against each other in the Champions Classic, a name that is perfect for the event. However, both teams won't look anything like they did last season, when they were often considered the two best teams in the country. The two names will always draw the interest of the country, as well as anything involving UK coach John Calipari vs. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

The Blue Devils have won the three previous meetings between the two teams, including the last time they met in the Champions Classic. It will be a good early test for both programs, as they have the two top recruiting classes heading into the year.

2. At Kansas

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Heading to Allen Fieldhouse is something circled on the calendar no matter what school you are. This year, Kentucky gets to circle that trip for January 30 when the Wildcats head there for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

Kansas is likely a preseason Top Five or Top 10 team this year, returning pretty much everyone from yet another Big 12 title team. On top of that, they will have Carlton Bragg and Cheick Diallo, two guys whom Kentucky recruited heavily before they committed to Kansas.

Kentucky has lost its last three games in Lawrence, something that Calipari desperately wants to snap. On the other side, Kansas will be looking to get some revenge from the 32-point loss in the Champions Classic last year suffered at the hands of Kentucky.

This game is later in the season, so we'll have a general idea who the two teams are. This could be vital for NCAA tournament seeding, as both teams are projected to be top seeds yet again in 2016.

1. Vs. Louisville

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It doesn't matter if the two teams haven't won a game the entire year. Outside of the national championship game, there is no more important matchup than squaring off against Louisville for bragging rights in the commonwealth of Kentucky.

There's a chance Louisville struggles this year after losing the majority of its talent from last season and not having a strong recruiting class. However, you know coach Rick Pitino will have his guys competing each game, especially against Kentucky. On the flip side, Calipari would love to continue to dominate Pitino, as he currently holds a 7-1 record against him since coming to Lexington.

So, until these two teams stop meeting, this will be the most intriguing game of the nonconference schedule for Kentucky.