Kansas basketball is coming off the worst season of the Bill Self era, putting together a 21-13 (11-9 Big 12) record and a second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament.
In what will be a pivotal year, the Jayhawks aren’t easing into the 2025-26 season—they’re diving headfirst into the fire.
KU unveiled a stacked non-conference schedule on Wednesday featuring high-stakes matchups against blue bloods like UConn, Duke, and North Carolina, plus appearances in the new Players Era tournament in Las Vegas. It’s the kind of slate that sets the tone for a national title push—and tests every inch of KU’s depth before Big 12 play even begins.
Self’s squad opens the regular season at home on Nov. 3 against Green Bay, but things ramp up quickly. Just four days later, Kansas heads to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina in a heavyweight clash between two of college basketball’s biggest brands. The Jayhawks have taken the last two meetings, including the 2022 national title game.
The spotlight intensifies Nov. 18 when KU meets Duke in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden. Kansas has won five straight in the annual tipoff showcase and eight of the last nine. A week later, they’ll hit Las Vegas for three games in the Players Era tournament, with opponents still to be announced.
On December 2, UConn comes to Allen Fieldhouse in a collision of recent national champs. Kansas won it all in 2022, while the Huskies went back-to-back in 2023 and 2024. KU won the last matchup 69-65 in Lawrence.
Other notable contests include the renewal of the Border Showdown against Missouri on Dec. 7 in Kansas City, and a trip to NC State on Dec. 13.
It’s exactly the kind of gauntlet Self wants before another bruising Big 12 season.
“Once again, we have one of the most challenging non-conference schedules in the country,” Self said. “It’s going to prepare us for what should be another great Big 12 season.”
Kansas will host six non-conference games and play 16 total at Allen Fieldhouse this season. Big 12 dates and times are still to be announced.
