KU Schedules Strong Non-Conference Slate For Basketball Again, Dates Announced

Kansas basketball has once again put together one of the strongest non-conference schedules in America.

When conferences like the SEC and Big 10 are complaining about the Big 12’s ability to schedule tough competition in football, there can’t be the same claims made toward Kansas hoops. Dates for the non-conference slate have been posted to the delight of Jayhawk fans around the country.

In the last few years, Kansas has even made an effort to schedule tough non-conference
exhibition games before the season starts.

First, it was Illinois, then it was Arkansas, and this season, it is Louisville. The Jayhawks will travel to face Louisville on Friday, October 24th, at KFC Yum! Center for the exhibition. However, it’s the regular season matchups that really stand out. Here are the top four matchups for KU’s non-conference schedule.

Friday, November 7th, at North Carolina

Last year, the Jayhawks hosted the Tar Heels in what was hyped up as one of the biggest non-conference games at Allen Fieldhouse in years. It lived up to the hype and was a back-and-forth game, with Kansas dominating the first half and North Carolina taking control in the second half.

It was the Jayhawks who ultimately won 92-89. Hopefully, the same hype will be built up in Chapel Hill for this blueblood matchup. This will be the Jayhawks’ first time playing at North Carolina since 1981.

Tuesday, November 18th, vs Duke (Champions Classic, New York City)

The Jayhawks defeated the Blue Devils on a neutral court last year in Las Vegas, 75-72, in a game that was hyped as a matchup between two national title contenders.

Ultimately, Kansas fell off the map while Duke went on to make a Final Four run, but at the beginning of the season, this was a strong test for both teams to see where they matched up nationally. It’s possible the same could be said between the two teams this year, when they will play each other early in the season on a neutral court again. Adding the mystic and history of Madison Square Garden to the mix should make this a game a lot of fun and give it even more excitement.

Tuesday, December 2nd, vs Connecticut

Three of the last four national champions have been UCONN and KU. Dan Hurley and Bill Self are two of the best coaches in college basketball, and they are also two head coaches who really get on the nerves of opposing fan bases. Perhaps it’s all the winning, or maybe it’s something else, but it will be interesting to see how this game is billed on the national stage.

The Jayhawks will host the Huskies for the second time in recent history. Kansas beat UCONN 69-65 on December 1, 2023. The Huskies would go on to win the national championship that season. It is worth noting that Kansas has never lost to UCONN in four games between the two schools. This will be another good early test for both teams as they try to figure out who they are with new rosters before entering conference play.

Sunday, December 7th, vs Missouri (Kansas City, MO, T-Mobile Center)

The Border War Rivalry game is back, and this time they will be playing in Kansas City! After a
home-and-home series the last couple of seasons, they will play at the T-Mobile Center in
Kansas City, the next couple of seasons.

Missouri got the best of Kansas last season in Columbia, while the Jayhawks destroyed the Tigers in Lawrence the year prior. Missouri will be looking for some consistency, something the program has not had in a long time. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks will be trying to fortify their young core in this early December battle.

Which non-conference game are you most looking forward to watching this fall?