Teams Kentucky could play this week following Louisville postponement (UPDATED)

[Ed. Note: This post will be updated throughout the day to reflect breaking news.]

Kentucky will not play Louisville on Wednesday night. COVID issues within Louisville’s program forced the postponement of the annual rivalry game, with both sides pledging to play it at a later date. Kentucky has been searching for a replacement opponent for Wednesday or Thursday night. Per 840 WHAS’ Jeff Milby, the Cats found one and Calipari will reveal the team tonight on his radio show, which begins at 6 p.m. ET on 630 WLAP. So, who will it be?

Before we tackle that question, let’s start with the teams that Kentucky cannot play. As of now, there are 33 teams on pause due to COVID-19:

• Akron
• Binghamton
• Chicago State
• Cleveland State
• Colorado State
• Coppin State
• Cornell
• DePaul
• Drexel
• Evansville
• FIU
• Florida State
• Hampton
• Long Beach State
• Louisville
• Loyola Chicago
• Loyola MD
• Memphis
• Northeastern
• Ohio State
• Penn State
• Rhode Island
• Rice
• Rutgers
• Seton Hall
• St. Francis (NY)
• Syracuse
• Texas Southern
• Tulane
• UCLA
• USC
• UC Riverside
• VCU

An important factor here is the NCAA’s 31-game restriction. Most teams have 31 games on their schedule already and, unless there is a COVID cancellation, will require a waiver from the NCAA to add another game. Add in the logistics of a team flying across the country the week before Christmas amid a pandemic and finding an opponent is a daunting task. With all of that in mind, here is a shortlist of potential replacements:

No. 16 Texas Longhorns

• Schedule this week: Open (Rice game PPD – COVID)
• Record (opponent ranking from time of game): 8-2 (Losses: No. 1 Gonzaga, No. 23 Seton Hall)
• AP Poll: No. 16
• NET Ranking: No. 20 (Quad 1 game)

The Longhorns are looking for an opponent this week too after their game vs. Rice on Wednesday was canceled due to COVID issues within Rice’s program. Kentucky’s game vs. Texas last year was canceled due to COVID, so this could bring things full circle. We could call it the Devin Askew game.

UPDATE (2:25 p.m.): Texas is out. The Longhorns are now playing Alabama State.

Texas will play Alabama State on Wednesday, source told @Stadium.

Longhorns were supposed to play Rice, but the Owls dealing with COVID pause.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 20, 2021

No. 4 Gonzaga

• Schedule this week: vs. Northern Arizona (12/20)
• Record: 9-2 (Losses: No. 5 Duke, No. 16 Alabama)
• AP Poll: No. 4
• NET Ranking: No. 6 (Quad 1 game)

Gonzaga only has 29 games on its schedule, so the Bulldogs could add one if they’re willing to make the trip to Lexington. Earlier this season, Mark Few even called out Kentucky and Duke for not coming to Gonzaga; would he back that talk up if Calipari is willing to do a home-and-home? A better question is, would Calipari even entertain the idea?

UConn Huskies

• Schedule this week: at Marquette (12/21)
• Record: 9-3 (Losses: Michigan State, West Virginia, Providence)
• AP Poll: NR
• NET Ranking: 21 (Quad 1)

According to Matt, Kentucky has reached out to UConn, Gonzaga, and Florida about a potential game, but there are roadblocks with logistics. Kentucky also wants to keep its primetime TV slot Wednesday night, which would mean UConn playing the day after their game at Marquette unless they can reschedule it.

Iona Gaels

• Schedule this week: vs. Delaware (12/21)
• Record: 9-2 (Losses: Belmont, No. 4 Kansas)
• AP Poll: NR
• NET Ranking: 56 (Quad 2 game)

Rick Pitino offered to play Kentucky last week when the Gaels’ game vs. Seton Hall was canceled. Would he do the same if the game’s at Rupp Arena? The Gaels play Delaware Tuesday night, but a Thursday night game is possible. Iona is actually ranked higher in the NET Rankings than Louisville, so it wouldn’t be bad for the resume. But, again, would John Calipari be willing?

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

• Schedule this week: at Austin Peay (12/22)
• Record: 8-4 (Minnesota, South Carolina, No. 11 Memphis, Buffalo)
• AP Poll: NR
• NET Ranking: 121 (Quad 3 game)

The Hilltoppers are scheduled to play at Austin Peay on Wednesday, making this game very unlikely unless the Governors come down with COVID. That’s a shame because this game would be appealing on many levels. The Hilltoppers knocked off Louisville on Saturday and Kentucky fans have been clamoring for more in-state games. Plus, it’s an easy opportunity to raise more money for the victims of the deadly tornadoes and storms in the western part of the state. Would Rick Stansbury be willing to bring his team to Lexington a day after playing Austin Peay?

Creighton Bluejays

• Schedule this week: Open (DePaul game canceled – COVID)
• Record: 9-3 (Losses: Colorado State, No. 19 Iowa State, Arizona State)
• AP Poll: NR
• NET Ranking: 57 (Quad 2 game)

What about Davion Mintz’s old squad? The Bluejays are also looking for a game after DePaul, tonight’s scheduled opponent, went on pause. They’re 9-3 with wins over two ranked opponents, then-No. 24 BYU and then-No. 9 Villanova. They beat ‘Nova by 20 points on Friday.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

• Schedule this week: Open (USC game canceled – COVID)
• Record: 7-4 (losses: Oakland, Wichita State, Xavier, No. 14 Houston)
• AP Poll: NR
• NET Ranking: 71 (Quad 2)

The Cowboys are looking for a game since USC, Tuesday night’s opponent, went on pause. This game would be decent on paper, falling into Quad 2.

Bellarmine Knights

• Schedule this week: vs. Loyola Marymount (12/21)
• Record: 6-7 (Losses: No. 7 Purdue, Murray State, Saint Mary’s, No. 1 Gonzaga, No. 2 UCLA, West Virginia, South Dakota)
• AP Poll: NR
• NET Ranking: 229 (Quad 4)

As mentioned earlier, there are reports Kentucky has already reached out to Bellarmine about a potential game this week. Our own Matt Jones is reporting that is now unlikely since the Knights are full on games and their attempts to reschedule have been unsuccessful to this point.

That’s probably a good thing. While the in-state angle is fun, this would do absolutely nothing for Kentucky’s schedule/NCAA Tournament resume. Reaction online since the reports came out suggests the fan base is not thrilled about replacing a rival with a cupcake, either.

UPDATE (3:30 PM): Wisconsin’s game vs. Morgan State was canceled due to COVID within Morgan State’s program, so the Badgers are now looking for a game. Time to avenge the 2015 loss??

Wisconsin Badgers

• Schedule this week: Open (Morgan State game canceled – COVID)
• Record: 9-2 (Losses: Providence, No. 21 Ohio State)
• AP Poll: 24
• NET Ranking: 29

A ranked opponent the fanbase is frothing to get back at and a Quad 1 opportunity? The only drawback is, for Wisconsin to come to Lexington, Calipari will likely have to agree to go to Madison next year. Is it worth it?