EASTON, Pa. - Head Coach Fran O'Hanlon released the 2012-13 men's basketball schedule on Thursday as Lafayette enters its 18th season under O'Hanlon's direction. The campaign is highlighted by several high-profile non-conference matchups, including a meeting with the reigning national champion Kentucky Wildcats.

"Our non-conference schedule is as challenging as any in the time that I've been at Lafayette," O'Hanlon said. "It's certainly exciting to play the number one team in Kentucky, as well as Stanford and Minnesota who played in the NIT final last year."

Lafayette will compete against teams from 10 different conferences, three 2012 NCAA tournament participants and three NIT squads. The matchup with Kentucky is set for November 16 at Rupp Arena as part of the four-game 2012 Barclays Center Classic. The Maroon and White will also travel to Morehead State (Nov. 18) and Maryland (Nov. 20) during a six-day stretch before Thanksgiving. The event tips off Nov. 12 when the Leopards host LIU-Brooklyn at Kirby Sports Center.

Three days prior to hosting the Blackbirds, Lafayette opens the 2012-13 year against St. Francis (N.Y.) as part of a home doubleheader following the women's contest against Loyola Chicago at 5:30 p.m. Joey Ptasinski made his first-career start and was one of four Leopards in double-figures in last year's victory against the Terriers.

Home meetings with Princeton (Nov. 24) and Delaware (Nov. 28) surround a trip to Monmouth on Nov. 26 to close out the month. The Leopards will look to avenge losses from last season against Princeton and Delaware, and win in their first-ever trip to West Long Branch, N.J. after a 15-point triumph over the Hawks last year.

December opens with the second meeting against defending Northeast Conference champion LIU-Brooklyn, this time in the Big Apple, on the first of the month. The game is the first of four consecutive matchups with NEC foes as the squad hosts St. Francis (Pa.) on Dec. 4, at Fairleigh Dickinson on Dec. 7 and against Sacred Heart two days later at Kirby Sports Center. Last season, O'Hanlon's bunch knocked off FDU, led by a historic three-point shooting performance by Jim Mower '12.

After a break for finals, Arcadia visits Easton Dec. 18 before a pair of marquee road games against Minnesota and Stanford Dec. 22 and 29, respectively. Stanford knocked off Minnesota last season to capture the NIT Championship. Seth Hinrichs (Clara City, Minn.), Les Smith (Cotati, Calif.) and Tony Johnson (Folsom, Calif.) will wear the Lafayette uniform in their home states.

"Another aspect of our scheduling is we always try to bring our guys close to home to play," O'Hanlon added. "It adds excitement for our players and their friends and families to be able to see them play in person. In addition to Seth, Levi Giese also has family members from Minnesota that will be able to see us play."

The 2013 calendar year begins with the final two non-league games of the season. NJIT comes to Kirby Sports Center Jan. 2 before Lafayette takes on Penn at The Palestra in the 45th meeting between the two schools six days later.

Patriot League action starts Jan. 12 as the Leopards welcome Navy to Kirby Sports Center. A pair of road contests, at Army and Bucknell, awaits Lafayette on the 16th and 19th, respectively, before Holy Cross makes a visit to Easton Jan. 23. Last year, Lafayette split its regular season meetings with the Crusaders and then picked up a win on the road in the Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinals in Worcester, Mass.

The 219th meeting between Lafayette and Lehigh is renewed Jan. 26 when the Maroon and White travel to Bethlehem, Pa. After hosting Colgate to close out January, a visit to the nation's capital is slated for Feb. 2 when Lafayette clashes with American at Bender Arena.

A week later the Navy Midshipmen host Lafayette in Annapolis, Md. four days before Army visits Easton on Feb. 13. The Leopards won all four games against the service academies in 2012. Lafayette remains at home for a Saturday matchup with Bucknell on the 16th.

Lafayette travels to Holy Cross Feb. 20 prior to a showdown with Lehigh in Easton on Feb. 23. Four days later, the team heads to Hamilton, N.Y. to play Colgate prior to closing out the regular season Mar. 2 against American.

Patriot League Tournament play begins Mar. 6 with four quarterfinal matchups based on the regular-season standings. The two semifinal games are scheduled for Mar. 9 and the Patriot League Championship is planned for March 13 at 7:30 p.m. Each game of the tournament will be held at the site of the higher-seeded team, with the champion earning an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.

DHS alum Alan Flannigan currently attends Lafayette, where he is a member of the Leopards basketball team.

For more information on Lafayette athletics, make sure to visit GoLeopards.com!