What we'll see

Sunday, Wednesday

The ninth-ranked UK women's basketball team plays a pair of games this week to tune up for next Sunday's showdown at No. 7 Louisville. The Wildcats play host to USC Upstate on Sunday (1 p.m.) and Miami (Ohio) on Wednesday (11 a.m.).

Sunday

We're past Thanksgiving now and wading into that portion of the NFL season when playoff hopes live and die with every outcome. That's squarely where the Cincinnati Bengals (5-5) find themselves as their former star quarterback Carson Palmer and his Oakland Raiders (3-7) come to town. The Bengals are favored by 81/2 points. This is one they have to get. (1 p.m., No local TV because game did not sell out)

Monday

The 2012-13 high school basketball season tips off around Kentucky, and a big-time boys' matchup highlights opening night. No. 2-ranked Bullitt East and University of Kentucky signee Derek Willis host No. 11 Lafayette. (7 p.m.)Thursday

Make of statistics what you will, but here's an intriguing one: The Notre Dame men's basketball team has won 47 games in a row at home in November, dating to 1998. And the Fighting Irish have won 39 of their last 40 home games overall. Into those numbers walks a young Kentucky team facing its first game on an opponent's home court. The SEC/Big East Challenge looks like it could live up to its name for Kentucky. (7 p.m., ESPN2)

Friday, Saturday

Kentucky's high school football state championship games play out in all six classes at Western Kentucky University's Houchens Stadium in Bowling Green. Class A, 3A and 4A titles will be decided Friday, with Classes 2A, 5A and 6A playing on Saturday. (Games at Noon, 4 and 8 p.m. EST both days)

Saturday

Less than 40 hours after wrapping things up at Notre Dame, No. 8 Kentucky is scheduled to tip off against 24th-ranked Baylor in Rupp Arena. A tough early-season assignment, no doubt, but this is exactly the type of turnaround the Cats could face in the NCAA Tournament. (12:30 p.m., CBS-27)

Mathew Graf