May 31--Of all of the oddities in UCLA's last basketball season -- and there were many -- there was this: UCLA won more games against Kentucky (one) than it did against USC (zero, in three tries).
It was a reminder that success even against a bruising early schedule doesn't guarantee Pac-12 eminence. But UCLA Coach Steve Alford's philosophy is that it certainly does not hurt.
UCLA released its full nonconference schedule on Tuesday. The slate, much of which had been previously disclosed, should again rank among the toughest in power-conference basketball.
The Bruins will play the Wildcats for the third and final -- at least for the near future -- time in three seasons. And for the third straight season, it will be the marquee matchup of UCLA's nonconference lineup. This time, UCLA will visit Rupp Arena, in Lexington, Ky.
The other significant games have also been announced. UCLA will participate in the Wooden Legacy tournament in November, host Michigan on Dec. 10 and play Ohio State on Dec. 17 in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas.
The rest of the schedule is stocked with California schools: Pacific, Cal State Northridge, San Diego, Long Beach State, UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara. The Bruins will finish the nonconference season against Western Michigan.
The full schedule:
Nov. 11 vs. Pacific at Pauley Pavilion
Nov. 13 vs. CSUN at Pauley Pavilion
Nov. 17 vs. San Diego at Pauley Pavilion
Nov. 20 vs. Long Beach State at Pauley Pavilion
Nov. 24-27 at the Wooden Legacy tournament at Cal State Fullerton's Titan Gym and the Honda Center
Nov. 30 vs. UC Riverside at Pauley Pavilion
Dec. 3 vs. Kentucky at Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
Dec. 10 vs. Michigan at Pauley Pavilion
Dec. 14 vs. UC Santa Barbara at Pauley Pavilion
Dec. 17 vs. Ohio State at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
Dec. 21 vs. Western Michigan at Pauley Pavilion
