Big East/SEC Invitational Preview

In the event's fourth year, the Big East and SEC will go head to head with double headers on December 8 and 11.

The challenge tips off with Arkansas and Seton Hall at Freedom Hall in Louisville, followed by SEC powerhouse, Kentucky, and the Fighting Irish from Notre Dame.

Kentucky will come out with a completely new roster from last year after losing the core of their team. John Wall may be gone, but next season will feature a new Calipari-style guard in Brandon Knight from Florida.

Knight, who might not be the great athlete like Wall and Rose were before him, is a different kind of guard who plays with smarts and a great shot. His physical strength and great ball handling are what let him do what he needs to do on offense.

On the other side of the ball, Knight is also a rebounder and an agressive defender.

The Notre Dame and Kentucky match-up, which is the highlight of the night, brings back an old tradition.

While Kentucky owns the series at 41-18, the Irish took the last when in the 2009 NIT.

As for the next day of the invitational, Rutgers will take on Auburn followed by Pittsburgh and Tennessee.

Pittsburgh looks to be a preseason pick to be at the top of the Big East all season and Tennessee will be coming off a tough Elite Eight loss from last season.

The Big East holds the slight edge in the challenge at 7-5, and next season's campaign promises to be a good one.