Kansas Women's Basketball Unveils 2026‑27 Non‑Conference Schedule
The University of Kansas women's basketball program has released its full slate of non‑conference games for the upcoming 2026‑27 season, a schedule that blends home comforts at Allen Fieldhouse with tests on neutral courts and a lone road trip to Minnesota.
Eight of the team's regular‑season contests will be played in front of its home crowd, while four neutral‑site battles will take place as part of the Cancun Challenge and other showcases. The Jayhawks open the season on November 3 against Omaha before heading to Minnesota on November 18 for a road test that will also serve as a final tune‑up before conference play.
Building a résumé for March
Head coach Brandon Schneider says the schedule is designed to give the team ample opportunities to compile wins that will strengthen its résumé for the NCAA tournament selection committee. Wins over traditional powerhouses such as Nebraska, South Dakota State and Miami (Ohio) are earmarked as key milestones.
The roster will be anchored by senior guard S'Mya Nichols and sophomore forward Jaliya Davis, who are expected to lead the offense. New additions include McDonald's All‑American center Cydnee Bryant and transfer guard Mariyah Noel from Xavier, while returning contributors Libby Fandel and Regan Williams add depth and experience.
December will see five home games against Missouri State, Kansas City, North Dakota State, Northwestern and Lindenwood, providing a chance for the Jayhawks to fine‑tune their play before stepping into Big 12 competition. The conference slate includes home matchups against Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Texas Tech, TCU and UCF, setting the stage for a demanding but potentially rewarding second half of the season.