Cincinnati, Kentucky Plan 6-Game Series

The University of Cincinnati has reportedly reached agreement with the University of Kentucky on a six-game, home-and-home basketball series that would begin this year.

Under the agreement, the Cincinnati Bearcats would play in the University of Kentucky Invitational tournament in December. Kentucky, which owes Cincinnati a home game, then would play in Cincinnati’s new Shoemaker Center basketball arena in the 1990-91 season.

Kentucky originally was scheduled to open Cincinnati’s Shoemaker Center last year, but that game was put on hold because the arena was not ready for occupancy. The two schools then would begin a new four-year agreement in 1991-92, with the first game scheduled to be played at Kentucky, The Cincinnati Post reported.

Cincinnati Athletic Director Rick Taylor declined to confirm the agreement, but Kentucky assistant athletic director Larry Ivy said it looks like a sure thing. Ivy said he plans to consult with Kentucky athletics director C.M. Newton to nail down the arrangement.

Cincinnati last played Kentucky in December 1987, losing in Kentucky’s Rupp Arena, 101-77. Kentucky has a 25-10 edge in the series. The last Cincinnati victory was in the 1939-40 season.