Who’s the best non-conference team in the Calipari Era?

NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 20: John Wall #11, Demarcus Cousins #15, DeAndre Liggins #34 and Eric Bledsoe #24 of the Kentucky Wildcats react to their 90-60 win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the New Orleans Arena on March 20, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Dave Martin/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 20: John Wall #11, Demarcus Cousins #15, DeAndre Liggins #34 and Eric Bledsoe #24 of the Kentucky Wildcats react to their 90-60 win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the New Orleans Arena on March 20, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Dave Martin/Getty Images)
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2019-2020 Current Marks

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Mikael Jantunen #20 of the Utah Utes passes to teammate Riley Battin #21 after getting a rebound against EJ Montgomery (2nd L) #23 and Johnny Juzang #10 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the final seconds of their game during the annual Neon Hoops Showcase benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer at T-Mobile Arena on December 18, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Utes defeated the Wildcats 69-66. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Mikael Jantunen #20 of the Utah Utes passes to teammate Riley Battin #21 after getting a rebound against EJ Montgomery (2nd L) #23 and Johnny Juzang #10 of the Kentucky Wildcats in the final seconds of their game during the annual Neon Hoops Showcase benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer at T-Mobile Arena on December 18, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Utes defeated the Wildcats 69-66. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Non-Conference Record: 8-2 (two games remain to be played)

Losses: Evansville (64-67), Utah (66-69)

Best Win: #1 Michigan State (69-62)

Season Outcome: TBD

The Wildcats face a fork in the road. There are two options for this Kentucky Basketball team: step up to the plate, get two signature wins, and in doing so erase the struggles of weeks past, or, falter again and send the season into even more disarray.

With such critical games to come, it is impossible to do much analysis. First off, it is clear to say even 10 games into the season that the ‘Best Win’ of the season is misleading because of Michigan State’s quick downfall as the nation’s top team. As you will see, poor non-conference play in the regular-season isn’t always a death sentence, however, it is about as good of an indicator as they come.

Now that we’ve taken a look at this year, let’s break down the top-10.

Schedule

Schedule