FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas will play Western Kentucky on Saturday, Dec. 8 at Bud Walton Arena, according to the Hilltoppers' schedule that was released Monday.
The game, which was agreed to in March, is the first half of a two-game series between the programs. Arkansas is scheduled to play a return game at Western Kentucky in the 2019-20 season.
The Hilltoppers were 27-11 overall and 14-4 in Conference-USA games last season, and reached the semifinals of the NIT. They must replace their two leading scorers, Justin Johnson (15.7 points per game) and Darius Thompson (13.6), but return a pair of double-digit scorers in sophomore guard Taveion Hollingsworth (13.3) and redshirt senior guard Lamonte Bearden (11.8).
Western Kentucky is coached by former longtime Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury.
Arkansas and Western Kentucky have met six times in basketball with the Razorbacks holding a 4-2 lead in the series. The programs last met during the 1974-75 season, a game the Hilltoppers won 74-63 in Bowling Green, Ky.
The Western Kentucky date is the 28th known on Arkansas' schedule in the coming season. The Razorbacks are expected to play 31 games.
Arkansas is expected to release its non-conference schedule sometime within the next month.
Arkansas 2018-19 Basketball Schedule - Known Dates
Nov. 9 - vs. Texas (El Paso, Texas)
Nov. 12 - California-Davis
Nov. 18 - Indiana
Nov. 21 - Montana State
Nov. 23 - Texas-Arlington
Dec. 5 - at Colorado State
Dec. 8 - Western Kentucky
Dec. 22 - Texas State
Dec. 28 - Austin Peay
Jan. 5 - at Texas A&M
Jan. 9 - Florida
Jan. 12 - LSU
Jan. 15 - at Tennessee
Jan. 19 - at Ole Miss
Jan. 23 - Missouri
Jan. 26 - at Texas Tech
Jan. 29 - Georgia
Feb. 2 - at LSU
Feb. 5 - Vanderbilt
Feb. 9 - at South Carolina
Feb. 12 - at Missouri
Feb. 16 - Mississippi State
Feb. 20 - at Auburn
Feb. 23 - Texas A&M
Feb. 26 - at Kentucky
March 2 - Ole Miss
March 6 - at Vanderbilt
March 9 - Alabama