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Mike Brey and Notre Dame will host defending national champ Kentucky on NOvember 29th. (WSBT Photo) (June 1, 2012) |
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - TFor the second year in a row, the defending national champions are coming to Purcell Pavilion. Notre Dame will face defending national champion Kentucky in the 2012 SEC-BIG EAST Challenge at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center on Thursday, Nov. 29.
“I’m thrilled about this matchup and the opportunity to play Kentucky,” head coach Brey says.
“These two schools have a long tradition of playing each other and we’ve been exploring options for renewing the rivalry. With all five of our starters returning next year, this is going to be a great early non-conference test for us. I’m excited that our fans will have the chance to be a part of such a powerful and meaningful game so early on in our season.”
This year’s matchup will be the 61st meeting between the two teams with Kentucky owning a 42-18 advantage in the series. The Wildcats’ last visit to Purcell Pavilion was on March 25, 2009 in the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament as the Irish snapped a 10-game losing streak to Kentucky with a 77-67 victory. The Wildcats are 5-2 all-time in seven appearances at Purcell Pavilion. It will be the seventh time under Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey that the Irish will face Kentucky.
The game will be nationally televised.
