(Vicky Graff for YourSportsEdge.com)
Kentucky has added three more games to its 2020-21 non-conference men’s basketball schedule which includes a Calipari family reunion.
The three newest opponents under contract include Detroit Mercy, Hartford and Richmond. All three are a part of the Bluegrass Showcase and all three will take place in Rupp Arena.
The matchup with Detroit Mercy – UK’s home opener – features Brad Calipari, the son of head coach John Calipari and former three-year member of the UK team. It will be his first return to Rupp Arena in opposing colors.
Brad Calipari transferred to Detroit Mercy after the 2018-19 season as a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining. He enjoyed a breakout season in Detroit, making 46 3-pointers on 38% shooting from long range. He averaged 6.1 points and 1.1 rebounds. At Kentucky, Brad Calipari appeared in 27 games over two seasons before redshirting in 2018-19.
As for the team Brad Calipari plays for, Detroit Mercy is led by Mike Davis, the former Indiana coach, and his son Antoine Davis. Antoine Davis has been one of the top scorers in college basketball over the last two seasons, averaging 26.1 points in his freshman season in 2018-19 and 24.3 points as a sophomore last season.
The Kentucky-Detroit Mercy series is tied 1-1, with the last matchup during the 1982-83 season.
Four days later, continuing a four-game homestand after opening the season in Chicago vs. Kansas in the Champions Classic, UK will host Hartford on Nov. 17.
The Wildcats have played Hartford just once in the past, a 104-61 victory in Rupp Arena in the first season of the Calipari era in 2009-10.
Richmond will close out four straight homes games on Nov. 23. It will mark the first meeting in school history between the two teams.
The Spiders were eyeing an NCAA Tournament berth last season before the COVID-19 pandemic. At 24-7, Richmond ranked 38th in the final NCAA Evaluation Tool rankings.
Richmond could return virtually its entire team if juniors Jacob Gilyard, Blake Francis and Grant Golden withdraw from the NBA Draft. All three announced in early April they were entering their names in the draft while maintaining their eligibility.
With the six previously announced games, nine opponents have been locked in with dates for the upcoming season.
Kansas – Nov. 10 | United Center (Chicago) | Champions Classic
Detroit Mercy – Nov. 13 | Rupp Arena | Bluegrass Showcase
Hartford – Nov. 17 | Rupp Arena | Bluegrass Showcase
Georgia State – Nov. 20 | Rupp Arena
Richmond – Nov. 23 | Rupp Arena | Bluegrass Showcase
Georgia Tech – Nov. 27 | State Farm Arena (Atlanta) | Holiday Hoopsgiving
Cleveland State – Nov. 30 | Rupp Arena
Michigan – Dec. 6 | The O2 Arena (London) | Basketball Hall of Fame London Showcase
UCLA – Dec. 19 | TBA | CBS Sports Classic
