But there is this: Texas at Kentucky.
And this: Florida at Kansas.
And maybe this: Arkansas at Iowa State.
So the existence of another of these conference challenge series at least adds three compelling games to the 2014-15 college basketball schedule, and it enhances a Kentucky schedule that could be extraordinarily difficult. Even with a team that probably will earn a No. 1 ranking in the wire-service polls, UK won't be talking much about 40-0 this time around.
With the announcement also coming Wednesday of the CBS Sports Classic that will put the Wildcats on a neutral court in Chicago against a top 25-level UCLA squad, UK now will face Kansas (in the early November Champions Classic), North Carolina at home, Louisville on the road, the Longhorns and the Bruins as well as the full SEC schedule.
The SEC/Big 12 Challenge begins Wednesday, Dec. 3, with a game matching Auburn and Texas Tech, and continues for four days.
The full schedule:
Wednesday, Dec. 3
— Auburn at Texas Tech
Thursday, Dec. 4
— Arkansas at Iowa State
— LSU at West Virginia
— TCU at Ole Miss
— Baylor at Vanderbilt
Friday, Dec. 5
— Florida at Kansas
— Texas at Kentucky
— Missouri at Oklahoma
Saturday, Dec. 6
— Oklahoma State at South Carolina
— Kansas State at Tennessee
MONEY IN THE BANK
Kentucky basketball now has a million-dollar assistant coach.
No, Kenny Payne will not earn that in a single year, but he's guaranteed that much over the two-year contract he just signed with UK. Assistant John Robic also signed a two-year contract, his worth $375,000 annually.
Payne, who has been at UK four seasons, was promoted to associate head coach in addition to receiving his $500,000 annual salary. The Wildcats have reached the Final Four three times in four years with him on the bench.
"There's not a better partner to work with to help these young men achieve their dreams," coach John Calipari said in announcing the contracts. "His feel for the game and ability to develop players is second to none. I have all the confidence in the world that Kenny will make a great head coach someday, but we're ecstatic to have him as a part of our staff as associate head coach for the near future."
Robic has been with Calipari at UMass, Memphis and now Kentucky for a total of 15 full seasons. Robic began his career under Calipari at UMass; when Calipari left for the NBA, Robic stayed with the Minutemen and worked under Bruiser Flint and eventually became coach at Youngstown State. He joined Calipari's staff at Memphis in 2005 and has been with him since.
"No one knows me better and knows what I need to be prepared to coach a game than John," Calipari said. "He's been a loyal friend who has helped me build three different programs. He's as good as they get."
New assistant coach Barry Rohrssen, hired to replace Orlando Antigua after he was hired as coach at South Florida, also will make $375,000 per year. That impressive salary, along with the prestige of the Kentucky program, helps explain why he was lured away from Pitt after a single season back on the Panthers' staff.
MAINE MAN
Maine hired a winning basketball coach from a Division III college, hoping he can bring the same success to the Division I Black Bears.
Bob Walsh has recruiting experience in New England and resume that includes Division I experience, including a stint as assistant coach at Providence College, said Seth Woodcock, who led Maine's search committee.
In nine seasons, Walsh's Rhode Island College teams were 204-63. They qualified for the Division III NCAA tournament for eight consecutive seasons.
Maine fired coach Ted Woodward last month after a 6-23 season. Woodward was 117-178 over 10 seasons with the Black Bears.
"Walsh is highly respected in the college basketball community and ready for the challenge of leading and rebuilding UMaine's Division I program," athletic director Karlton Creech said in a statement Wednesday.
Walsh said in a statement that he has an opportunity "to try and build a championship program at the University of Maine."
Contributors: Mike DeCourcy, The Associated Press
