June 11, 2010
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Fans will get an early look at the 2010-11 UK men’s basketball team this season thanks to a three-game, three-day exhibition series in Windsor, Ontario in mid-August.
The Wildcats will kick off the trip on Aug. 15 against the University of Windsor at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by a 6:00 p.m. ET match-up against the Western Mustangs on Aug. 16. UK will close with an 11:00 a.m. ET rematch against Windsor on Aug. 17, with all three games being played at the St. Denis Centre in Windsor.
Kentucky will have a significantly different look this season, losing eight players (five to the NBA Draft and three to graduation) from last season’s 35-3 team that won the SEC regular season and tournament championships, while making a run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
On display for the Wildcats will be the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class as announced by ESPN Recruiting, Rivals.com and Scout.com. The class includes freshmen Terrence Jones, Enes Kanter, Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb, Stacey Poole Jr. and junior college transfer Eloy Vargas.
“This is a unique opportunity for our program to spread the Big Blue Nation’s mist into Ontario, Canada,” said UK Coach John Calipari. “What it does for our young team is immeasurable as far as helping us all get to know each other. We’re looking forward to it and we’re anxious to share this special trip with our fans north of the border.”
The series marks the first time UK has traveled north of the border and the first time since 1995 that Kentucky will play an exhibition schedule prior to the season. UK traveled to Italy that year and went 4-1, followed by its run to the 1996 National Championship.
The Windsor Lancers finished the 2010 season with a 17-5 record in route to the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) West regular season and playoff championship.
Despite adding seven new players to their line-up, the Lancers were ranked in the top ten in Canada throughout the entire season and they earned a coveted berth at the CIS National Championships in Ottawa.
Western posted a 12-10 record last season, finishing fourth in the West division of the OUA.
Advance tickets can be purchased starting Monday, June 14 by phone at 519.253.3000 ext. 2437. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and youth, $5 for children. Only 2,500 tickets will be available for each game. All seating is general admission.
Television and radio broadcast information has yet to be determined.
