Georgia hoops opens against Kentucky

The SEC schedule is out, and Georgia will open league play on Jan. 8 - that's a Saturday - at 4 p.m. against ... duh-duh-duh-duh!!! ... Kentucky.

Well, I'd say that's a good early-season barometer for the Bulldogs. The Wildcats don't have John Wall, DeMarco Cousins and Patrick Patterson anymore. But they do have Brandon Knight, Enes Kanter (presuming he's eligible) and Terrence Jones. Top 10 national prospects all of them.

The full slate as announced on Thursday:

Jan. 8 Vs. Kentucky, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 12 at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 15 at Ole Miss, 5 p.m. (FSN)
Jan. 18 vs. Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Jan. 22 vs. Mississippi State, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 25 vs. Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Jan. 29 at Kentucky, 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Feb. 2 at Arkansas, 9 p.m. (CSS)
Feb. 5 vs. Auburn, 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 12 at South Carolina, 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Feb. 16 vs. Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Feb. 19 at Tennessee, 1 p.m. (CBS)
Feb. 24 at Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
Feb. 26 vs. South Carolina, 7 p.m. (FSN)
March 2 vs. LSU, 8 p.m. (SEC Network)
March 5 at Alabama, 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network)

While Georgia is expected to be NCAA tournament-caliber, it apparently still has to play itself into more prime time appearances. The Bulldogs will be on ESPN twice, possibly three depending on the Feb. 24 Florida game. It will also be on CBS on Feb. 19, in a Saturday afternoon tilt.

The good news for the Bulldogs is they only have one two-day turnaround - playing at Florida on Feb. 24, then coming back home to face South Carolina on Feb. 26.

It should also be noted that on Feb. 8, Georgia will host Xavier.