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Kentucky Basketball: Ranking Wildcats 2019-20 non-conference opponents

By Brian Rauf

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 26: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to Ashton Hagans #2 against the Kansas Jayhawks at Rupp Arena on January 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 26: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to Ashton Hagans #2 against the Kansas Jayhawks at Rupp Arena on January 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NY – MARCH 16: Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers mascot, Emmit S. Burg, performs in the second half against the Villanova Wildcats during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 16, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – MARCH 16: Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers mascot, Emmit S. Burg, performs in the second half against the Villanova Wildcats during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at KeyBank Center on March 16, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

13) Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers (Nov. 22)

2018-19 record: 9-22 (6-12)
Mount St. Mary’s is a young team that failed to beat a team ranked higher than No. 325 in KenPom’s rankings last year. Even if they improve this year, they’re still not close to being able to compete at this level. Vado Morse (14.7 ppg) and Jalen Gibbs (12.9 ppg) are their best chance to do so.

12) Eastern Kentucky Colonials (Nov. 8)

2018-19 record: 13-18 (6-12)
The Colonials were bad last year and might be worse this year as they have to replace Nick Mayo and his 23.7 points per game. This team doesn’t have the talent to compete with the Wildcats but rising sophomore Jomaru Brown will be fun to watch.

11) Lamar Cardinals (Nov. 24)

2018-19 record: 20-13 (12-6)
Lamar only beat two KenPom top 200 teams last season and lost three of their best players in Josh Nzeakor, Nick Garth, and Christian Barrett. They may be a one-man show with Jordan Hunter leading the way, but this will be a blowout.

10) Evansville Purple Aces (Nov. 12)

2018-19 record: 11-21 (5-13)
Evansville did not have a good season last year but they have plenty of close calls. 11 of their 21 losses came by eight points or less and two of those were against quality teams in Xavier and Murray State. They could be competitive again as they return their points and assists leader in K.J. Riley to go along with John Hall, who led them in rebounds and blocks.

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