Kentucky Basketball: Ranking non-conference opponents for 2022-23 season

6. Louisville Cardinals

The local rivalry continues in the Bluegrass state, but the gap may be as wide as ever between the programs. Former Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne is now the head coach at Louisville but the roster in the first year looks a little rough. There’s plenty of frontcourt depth, including Sydney Curry and Tennessee transfer, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield. However, they don’t have any proven guards in the backcourt outside of El Ellis. The lack of depth on the outside makes this a potential blowout matchup.

5. Michigan State Spartans

The Champions Classic matchup features a Spartans team that lost its three players and didn’t add a single transfer this offseason. The lack of a go-to scorer and quality scorers is a concern but Michigan State does have a ton of experience and depth. Guards AJ Hoggard and Tyson Walker are a solid backcourt and their matchup with Sahvir Wheeler and Cason Wallace will be a fun one to watch.

4. Michigan Wolverines

The matchup between Tshiebwe and All-American center Hunter Dickinson will be one of the best battles in the country. The Wolverines have made the Sweet 16 each year since 2017 but have their work cut out for them, with mostly a new core around the big man. Princeton transfer Jaelin Llewellyn will need to have a big impact, while top-50 freshman and son of head coach Juwan Howard, Jett Howard, is another newcomer to watch. If the role players play well, this is a matchup that Kentucky could lose.