Nebraska basketball will travel to Kansas City on December 12, 2026, to meet Missouri in a much‑anticipated non‑conference showdown. The game marks the first meeting between the two programs since March 1, 2011, and revives a rivalry that once defined the Big Eight and Big 12 conferences.
A Rivalry Rekindled
The last encounter saw Nebraska pull away with a 69‑58 victory, a result that still resonates in the memories of longtime fans. Since then, both squads have evolved, but the upcoming contest promises a fresh chapter in a story that spans decades.
Both teams arrive with momentum. Nebraska has reached the NCAA Tournament twice in the past three seasons, while Missouri has made the tournament in three of the last four years. The Tigers have also secured a top‑10 recruiting class and a 14th‑ranked transfer class for the upcoming year.
A Strategic Non‑Conference Slate
The Kansas City game is part of a broader non‑conference schedule that includes neutral‑site contests against Providence in Uncasville, Connecticut, and Boise State in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Nebraska will also host Creighton in Omaha at the CHI Health Center, providing a true road test before conference play.
Coaches Fred Hoiberg and Dennis Gates will lead their respective teams, each looking to leverage recent recruiting successes and tournament experience. The neutral‑site format not only bolsters the Huskers’ budget but also strengthens their schedule, offering competitive matchups that could influence national perception.