Aug. 12, 2003
2003-04 Men’s Basketball Schedule
Printable Schedule (PDF)
The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, which wrapped up an impressive 32-4 record at the Elite Eight in March, once again will take on one of the most competitive schedules in the nation in the 2003-04 season. The schedule, released Tuesday, features nine 2003 NCAA Tournament teams and an extremely difficult non-conference slate.
“Again this year, we will play one of the toughest, if not the toughest, schedules in the nation,” UK Coach Tubby Smith said. “We know it will be a challenge every time we step onto the floor, but we look forward to that challenge. Our expectations remain the same, no matter who the opponent.”
After exhibition games with Team Nike and EA Sports, Kentucky will open the season Nov. 19-21, playing host to the BCA Invitational at Rupp Arena. Though tournament brackets are not complete, the Wildcats are promised three games in three days in the eight-team event. Opponents and game times will be announced later this month.
Former UK assistant Mike Sutton will bring his Tennessee Tech squad to Lexington on Nov. 28 for a post-Thanksgiving Day contest. The Wildcats will then travel to Cincinnati on Dec. 1 for the annual neutral-site game at U.S. Bank Arena. This year, UK will face Marshall as Tubby Smith takes on his former assistant and new Thundering Herd Coach Ron Jirsa.
Kentucky continues the grueling December schedule with a trip out West for the Wooden Classic on Dec. 6. Two of the most storied programs in college basketball will compete on the hardwood as Kentucky faces host UCLA in a CBS battle.
Kentucky and Michigan State look to make history on Dec. 13 when they compete in “The Basketbowl” at Ford Field in Detroit. Tickets are sold out already and a crowd of 75,000 fans is expected to set the world record for attendance at a college basketball game. The early-season game could feature two top-five teams according to some preseason polls.
The Cats will play their third consecutive CBS game on Dec. 20 when they battle border-state rival Indiana in Indianapolis’ RCA Dome. UK then will take on back-to-back in-state foes as Eastern Kentucky, coached by former Wildcat Travis Ford, comes to Rupp Arena on Dec. 23 and arch-rival Louisville visits Lexington on Dec. 27.
Smith’s squad will wrap up the year in Louisville’s Freedom Hall against Austin Peay in a 4 p.m New Year’s Eve contest.
The Wildcats open 2004 on Jan. 3 with yet another historic game. Roy Williams will return to Rupp Arena for the first time in more than 13 years, this time coaching his alma mater, North Carolina. The game features two of the nation’s finest coaches, as well as some of the hottest talent in the country this season.
Kentucky opens the 2004 Southeastern Conference slate with Vanderbilt coming to Lexington. The league schedule features road games at Mississippi State, Auburn and LSU, as well as the tough Eastern Division opponents. Kentucky will play three late ESPN road games during conference play as well.
“We have a tough conference road schedule this year with lots of late night games,” Smith said. “That’s definitely a worry when you are dealing with student-athletes who have classroom obligations to deal with the following day.”
The Cats will play their final non-conference game at Notre Dame on Jan. 25, a Sunday CBS showdown. The always-emotional Senior Day in Lexington features rival Florida in another nationally-televised Sunday game.
In total, the Wildcats will appear on national television 14 times during regular-season play, including nine games on CBS and five on ESPN. Again this season, every game will be televised either live or delayed. Every SEC game this season will be on live national or regional television.
The Wildcats, who return one of the strongest backcourts in the nation, open practice with Midnight Madness on Friday, Oct. 17.
