The NBA may be in lockout mode, with games currently being canceled through November, with the likelihood of December games and possibly the 2011-12 season to follow.

But college hoops is making news with the unveiling of a doubleheader scheduled to take place in Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

The hot ticket will be the University of Kentucky Wildcats versus the University of Maryland Terrapins, in what will be the inaugural college basketball game in the arena. It is being billed as the Barclays Classic Presented By Sheets, the energy strip that has major support from LeBron James and Amar’e Stoudemire.

The game will be shown live on ESPN, although which outlet has yet to be determined.

The hitch: The game is not scheduled until Nov. 9, 2012, about two months after the venue officially opens.

“A few years ago, I was talking with [Kentucky head basketball coach] John Calipari, and I told him that when the Barclays Center was built that we would have top-rated college teams playing there,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Baclays Center and Nets basketball, during a press event today. “Coach Cal immediately said that he wanted his team to be there.”

Calipari, who was coaching the University of Memphis at the time of the conversation, recalled it differently. “I kept getting e-mails from Brett at 5 AM,” laughed Calipari. “I finally said ‘Okay. We’ll play!’”

Calipari, who was head coach of the Nets from 1996-99 also smiled when he said, “The Nets fired me. Fortunately for them, I don’t hold any grudges. Here I am, coming back.”

The other game in the doubleheader will be Brooklyn-based Long Island University versus Morehead State from Kentucky, according to Barclays Center officials.

The game will foreshadow numerous college hoops games to come at Barclays Center. Of particular interest, the Atlantic 10 previously said it would move its league championship to the new arena starting in 2013. And the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic will be held in Barclays Center beginning in 2012.

In addition to the Nets relocating there from New Jersey for the 2012-13 NBA season, the venue will also showcase college hockey, tennis, boxing and other sports and entertainment activities.

Calipari, whose college basketball head coaching resume also includes Massachusetts, said that the opportunity to use his position at Kentucky to help showcase college basketball has been a major factor in becoming involved in such events as the Barclays Classic.

“Kentucky basketball gets higher ratings on ESPN than any other college basketball team,” said Calipari. “This game will help to drive interest in college basketball and academics not only in Brooklyn but for any basketball fan tuning in.”

Regarding the current NBA situation, Calipari said he has been in contact with many of the players who came through his college hoops programs, but mainly to keep up to date on the lockout situation. The roster of Calipari-coached players in the NBA includes John Wall (pictured), Derrick Rose, Brandon Knight, DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans.

“I don’t want to get involved in the situation, but I do want to know what’s going on,” Calipari said. “I hope cooler heads prevail and they work this out.”

Should the NBA cancel its season, would that be a boost for college hoops in attracting fans who want their fill of basketball?

“No,” Calipari emphatically said. “NBA fans want the NBA. College basketball fans want college basketball. When the NBA comes back, their fans will come back, as well.”

PHOTOS: John Wall: Mark Goldman/Icon SMI; John Calipari: Rich Kane/Icon SMI