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UCLA Basketball releases their non-conference schedule for next season

By Mike Regalado

Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) reacts a play against Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) and Kentucky Wildcats forward Isaac Humphries (15) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Thomas Welsh (40) reacts a play against Kentucky Wildcats guard Tyler Ulis (3) and Kentucky Wildcats forward Isaac Humphries (15) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Basketball team announced their 13-game non-conference schedule which includes a season opener in Shanghai, the Hall of Fame Classic and games against Michigan, Cincinnati and Kentucky.

What will become of the UCLA Basketball team after their 31-5 performance from last season and the loss of five players to graduation and the NBA Draft?

Though we do not know exactly how the team will perform as a whole, we do know what the beginning of their journey in 2017-18 season will be like as the non-conference schedule was released today.

The Bruins have their first 13 games set which will literally have them traveling around the world and playing several difficult games on the road.

Related Story: Projecting the 2017-18 UCLA Basketball depth chart

UCLA Basketball Non-conference Schedule

  • Fri, Nov 10 vs Georgia Tech in Shanghai, China
  • Wed, Nov 15 vs Central Arkansas
  • Fri, Nov 17 vs South Carolina State
  • Mon, Nov 20 at Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, MO
  • Tue, Nov 21 at Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, MO
  • Sun, Nov 26 vs UC Irvine
  • Wed, Nov 29 vs Cal State Bakersfield
  • Sun, Dec 3 vs Detroit Mercy
  • Wed, Dec 6 vs Montana
  • Sat, Dec 9 at Michigan
  • Sat, Dec 16 vs Cincinnati
  • Tue, Dec 19 vs South Dakota
  • Sat, Dec 23 vs Kentucky in New Orleans (CBS Sports Classic)

The Bruins have a total of eight games at Pauley Pavilion, though only one of those games will be a marquee matchup as Cincinnati (a team the Bruins beat in the Round of 32 of the 2017 NCAA Tournament) comes to Westwood. The only time the Bruins will play on the West Coast in the non-conference will be for their home games.

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The rest of their non-conference schedule will prove to be even harder as UCLA will travel to Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan and even China.

The Bruins start the season on the other side of the planet when they take on Georgia Tech in the Pac-12 China Game. The Bruins will also compete in the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City which includes Baylor, Creighton and Wisconsin.

After a four-game home stand, where they will be munching on cupcakes, the Bruins will embark on a difficult journey to Michigan. Three games later, UCLA finishes up their non-conference schedule in the CBS Sports Classic against Kentucky.

This will be the fifth time in four seasons UCLA and UK meet. The Wildcats won the last battle 86-75 in the Sweet 16 of the 2017 NCAA Tournament. UCLA won the previous two contests.

Next: Will UCLA's defense improve in 2017-18?

It will be interesting to see how the Bruins perform next season and this schedule will surely test them. With Thomas Welsh and Aaron Holiday returning, the Bruins have some stability, but will also have six talented freshmen to help, which includes 5-star PG Jaylen Hands and SF Kris Wilkes.