UCLA’s nonconference basketball slate will provide another test

Of all of the oddities in UCLA’s last basketball season — and there were many — there was this: UCLA won more games against Kentucky (one) than it did against USC (zero, in three tries).

It was a reminder that success even against a bruising early schedule doesn’t guarantee Pac-12 eminence. But UCLA Coach Steve Alford’s philosophy is that it certainly does not hurt.

UCLA released its full nonconference schedule on Tuesday. The slate, much of which had been previously disclosed, should again rank among the toughest in power-conference basketball.

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The Bruins will play the Wildcats for the third and final — at least for the near future — time in three seasons. And for the third straight season, it will be the marquee matchup of UCLA’s nonconference lineup. This time, UCLA will visit Rupp Arena, in Lexington, Ky.

The other significant games have also been announced. UCLA will participate in the Wooden Legacy tournament in November, host Michigan on Dec. 10 and play Ohio State on Dec. 17 in the CBS Sports Classic in Las Vegas.

The rest of the schedule is stocked with California schools: Pacific, Cal State Northridge, San Diego, Long Beach State, UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara. The Bruins will finish the nonconference season against Western Michigan.

The full schedule:

Nov. 11 vs. Pacific at Pauley Pavilion

Nov. 13 vs. CSUN at Pauley Pavilion

Nov. 17 vs. San Diego at Pauley Pavilion

Nov. 20 vs. Long Beach State at Pauley Pavilion

Nov. 24-27 at the Wooden Legacy tournament at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Gym and the Honda Center

Nov. 30 vs. UC Riverside at Pauley Pavilion

Dec. 3 vs. Kentucky at Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.

Dec. 10 vs. Michigan at Pauley Pavilion

Dec. 14 vs. UC Santa Barbara at Pauley Pavilion

Dec. 17 vs. Ohio State at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

Dec. 21 vs. Western Michigan at Pauley Pavilion

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