Kentucky Basketball: Predictions for Wildcats' Toughest Games in 2015-16

Although the Kentucky Wildcats should once again have one of the top college basketball teams in the nation, the regular season should be much tougher than it was last year. There will be challenging games throughout the nonconference and SEC parts of the schedule, many of which can lead to losses.

This isn't necessary a reason to panic as the Wildcats should still be a contender for a national championship. Even after losing most of its main rotation from last year, the squad should peak late and at least be a top seed in the NCAA tournament.

Before getting to that point, however, Kentucky will have to navigate some difficult matchups at home, on the road and in neutral locations. There will likely be losses elsewhere on the schedule as well as a whole lot of wins, but here is an early look at some of the toughest games on paper for the 2015-16 season.

5. Dec. 3 at UCLA

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Although UCLA might not be getting a lot of national respect, let's not forget this was a team that went to the Sweet 16 last season and returns three double-digit scorers.

Bryce Alford puts up big numbers as a scorer and a passer while Isaac Hamilton is a threat to go off in any game. If frontcourt players Tony Parker and Thomas Welsh improve, this could once again be an NCAA tournament team that can do damage once in the field.

With Alford, Hamilton and either Aaron Holiday or Prince Ali starting in a three-guard lineup, the quickness will be a mismatch for a lot of teams this season.

The problem is Kentucky will not be one of those teams.

Tyler Ulis, Isaiah Briscoe and Jamal Murray will be able to match this unit as well as score against some players not known for their defense. Parker could be a problem thanks to his strength in the post, but he will not be able to do enough to lead the Bruins to victory, even at home.

This won't be as one-sided as the 83-44 Kentucky win from a year ago, but the Wildcats should be able to pull out the win.

Prediction: Kentucky 77, UCLA 68

4. Jan. 5 at LSU

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One of the biggest rude awakenings for Kentucky this season will be the fact the SEC is much improved from a year ago. LSU, Vanderbilt, Florida and Texas A&M will be solid, while even bottom schools like Mississippi State and Auburn will be better than in years past, creating tough road games.

Among the top challengers for an SEC title is LSU, featuring a quality returning backcourt and two of the top freshmen in the nation in Antonio Blakeney and Ben Simmons, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2015 class. Simmons also recently became just the fourth freshman ever to be named first-team preseason All-American by the Associated Press.  

Simmons is known as a point forward at 6'10" with great handle and vision, capable of posting a triple-double in any game. Kentucky has no one with the size or lateral quickness to guard him.

Meanwhile, the Tigers have a lot of versatility and depth at guard with Jalyn Patterson, Josh Gray, Keith Hornsby, Tim Quarterman and Blakeney all capable of playing valuable minutes. They will be one of the few teams in the nation with more depth and quickness in the backcourt than the Wildcats.

This simply is an awful matchup for Kentucky, and the inexperienced team could struggle in what will likely be a hostile environment in Baton Rouge. 

Prediction: LSU 71, Kentucky 67

3. Feb. 27 at Vanderbilt

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Vanderbilt has a very simple formula this season. Take one of the best big men in the nation in Damian Jones and surround him with capable shooters who can make you pay for double-teaming him.

Jones averaged 14.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and two blocks per game last season and is a big reason the media predict the Commodores to finish second in the SEC. DraftExpress currently predicts the 7'0" junior to be the No. 16 pick in the 2016 NBA draft.

He will dominate most teams in the paint this year while shooters like Wade Baldwin IV and Riley LaChance pick up the slack from the perimeter.

The problem for Vanderbilt in this matchup is the fact the Wildcats have a center who is actually better than Jones. Skal Labissiere is currently projected as the top NBA prospect in the world right now, not only for his work on the offensive end but his skill as a defender. Like many of Kentucky's centers before him, the 6'11" player has great timing as a shot-blocker and will make scoring inside almost impossible for any team.

Vanderbilt's size elsewhere could still be a problem, but being able to slow down Jones with a single defender will be vital to Kentucky's chances to come away with a tough road win.

Prediction: Kentucky 65, Vanderbilt 63

2. Nov. 17 vs. Duke

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This is one of the games the fans and national media can't wait for this season. Kentucky and Duke are two of the blue bloods in college basketball and are unsurprisingly once again ranked in the Top Five of both major polls.

The benefit for Kentucky is that this game takes place earlier in the year, where Duke will be its weakest. Although both squads are relying heavily on freshmen and inexperienced returning players, Wildcats stars like Jamal Murray and Skal Labissiere are extremely advanced for their age and should be able to quickly get acclimated to the college game.

Duke has a lot of upside on its team, but the 2015 class is nowhere near as college-ready as Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor were at this point last year. Derryck Thornton and Chase Jeter will each need time to develop, leaving the Blue Devils with limited weapons offensively.

The biggest challenge for the Wildcats will finding a way to slow down Brandon Ingram, a 6'9" wing with a lights-out shooting ability. This is where Alex Poythress needs to step up as the most versatile defender on the team. If he is healthy, the senior can slow down Ingram and limit what Duke can do offensively.

It might take a bigger lineup than head coach John Calipari might like, but Kentucky has the tools necessary to pull out a win in this neutral-court game in Chicago.

Prediction: Kentucky 78, Duke 71

1. Jan. 30 at Kansas

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It is rare to see such a high-profile nonconference game this late in the year, but it will certainly be an exciting battle between two extremely talented squads.

Kansas enters the year as one of the deeper teams in the nation, led by returning starters Perry Ellis, Wayne Selden and Frank Mason. Guards Devonte' Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk and Brannen Greene will likely see bigger roles this season, while Jamari Traylor, Landen Lucas and Hunter Mickelson will also succeed in the frontcourt rotation. Adding in freshmen Carlton Bragg and Cheick Diallo, if he's eligible, and this is a team that has a whole lot of talent.

A year ago, Kentucky had the depth to compete with a team like this thanks to a platoon system featuring future NBA lottery picks coming off the bench. The Wildcats have plenty of capable players this season, but their depth is nowhere near as good.

With a three-guard lineup featuring strong defenders who match up well against Kentucky, Kansas is one of the few teams that can slow the Wildcats down. Skal Labissiere could be valuable in this one, but he is not enough to overcome up to six big men who can see the floor.

Playing in Allen Fieldhouse in the midst of a tough SEC season will likely be too much for the young team.

Prediction: Kansas 74, Kentucky 69

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