Men’s hoops squad hosts Quakers on Nov. 17

The Kentucky Wildcats will entertain Penn on Nov. 17 in Rupp Arena infirst-round action of the Preseason National Invitation Tournament.

Kentucky, which finished 28-9 last season, one game shy of its fourthstraight Final Four, will face the Quakers who lost in the first round of the1999 NCAA Tournament to Florida, 75-61.

The winner will advance to face the winner of the Arkansas State at Utahgame on Nov. 19. While sites for second-round games have not beenannounced yet, it is presumed that the Wildcats would play host to the gameshould they advance.

Also in the 16-team field are New Mexico State, Arizona, Ohio State andMaryland, a team UK is slated to play during the regular season. UK has notannounced its schedule yet.

The four second-round winners will advance to New York the followingweek, Nov. 24 & 26, and participate in the semifinals andchampionship/consolation games at famed Madison Square Garden.

ESPN will broadcast UK’s game with Penn as well as the second-roundcontest should the Cats advance. The network will broadcast eight games oneither ESPN or espn2, including the semifinals and championship.

UK’s one other appearance in the Preseason NIT came in 1992, when theCats were eliminated by Pitt at home in the second round. UK is 3-0 vs.Penn, winning 85-62 in the last meeting at Rupp Arena, Nov. 24, 1990.

The Preseason NIT Bracket

First Round Nov. 16 Hofstra at New Mexico State Kansas State at Arizona (espn2), 10:30 p.m. Notre Dame at Ohio State (espn2), 8:30 p.m. Davidson at Siena Nov. 17 Arkansas State at Utah Penn at Kentucky (ESPN), 9 p.m. San Francisco at Maryland Fordham at Tulane Second Round Nov. 18 Notre Dame/Ohio St. winner vs. Davidson/Siena winner Nov. 19 Hofstra/N. Mex St. (w) vs. Kansas St./Arizona (w) (ESPN2), 11:30 p.m. Arkansas St./Utah winner vs. Penn/Kentucky winner (ESPN),      7 p.m. San Francisco/Maryland winner vs. Fordham/Tulane winner Nov. 24 Semifinals at Madison Square Garden (ESPN) Nov. 26 Consolation Championship (ESPN)