Kentucky Basketball: Ranking non-conference opponents for 2022-23 season
3. UCLA Bruins
Like Kentucky, the Bruins also have a pair of five-star freshmen in Amari Bailey and Adem Bona, likely to start at shooting guard and center respectively. Joining them are a pair of All-Pac 12 stars in point guard Tyger Campbell and versatile forward Jaime Jaquez. This is a roster that has elite defensive potential and Jaquez is a potential All-American. UCLA will be a top-10 squad with Final Four aspirations once again.
2. Kansas Jayhawks
The national champions won’t have several key pieces around, including All-American guard Ochai Agbaji and current NBA player, Christian Braun. Yet the roster they have back will be good again, thanks to the return of forward Jalen Wilson, along with Texas Tech transfer guard, Kevin McCullar. There’s also a trio of five-star freshmen joining, including center Ernest Udeh and wings, MJ Rice, and Gradey Dick. There may be some scoring questions but defensively, Kansas will be a major threat nationally and against Kentucky in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
1. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Part of a “home and home” series, the Wildcats are heading to Spokane to take on the projected preseason top-3 team, Gonzaga. They bring back All-American and WCC Player of the Year, Drew Timme to match up with Tshiebwe in the frontcourt, while Rasir Bolton comes back after ranking in the top-10 nationally in three-point percentage.
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SoCon Player of the Year Malachi Smith transfers over from Chattanooga to add depth in the backcourt, while Nolan Hickman, who at one point was a Kentucky Basketball commit, is likely to start at point guard. If he plays well as the new lead guard, the Bulldogs have a legit shot to win the national championship.