College basketball programs have a habit of announcing their non-conference schedules right in the middle of the football season. Strategically planned to get the hype machine revved up for the upcoming season.
Appropriate or not, the basketball season is already under way, with the University of Louisville hosting Evansville in the season opener at 7 p.m. this Friday at the KFC Yum! Center. A member of the Missouri Valley Conference, Evansville had a 25-9 record last season.
The pre-conference schedule features some quality non-conference opponents who Coach Rick Pitino believe will help UofL prepare for the rugged Atlantic Coast Conference competition.