The University of Kansas men’s basketball program released its 2026‑27 non‑conference schedule on Tuesday, laying out a demanding slate that begins with a home opener against Fordham at Allen Fieldhouse on November 2.
Key Matchups
The Jayhawks will then host Middle Tennessee State on November 6 before traveling to Chicago for the Champions Classic, where they meet Kentucky in the United Center on November 10, marking the team’s first major test of the year.
Later that month, Kansas heads to Las Vegas for the Players ERA 8 tournament, opening against UNLV on November 17 and then facing either Auburn or West Virginia the following day, with the final opponent emerging from a field that also includes Florida, Notre Dame, Houston or Rutgers.
After the tournament, the Jayhawks return to Lawrence for a stretch of home games against Denver on November 23, Villanova on November 27 and Northern Iowa on December 1, before resuming rivalry play.
The Border Showdown with Missouri arrives on December 6 at the T‑Mobile Center in Kansas City, a neutral‑site matchup that adds another layer of intensity to the schedule.
Kansas will also test itself on the road, visiting UConn in Connecticut on December 12 and then heading to New York City to meet Ohio State at Madison Square Garden on December 19, before closing non‑conference play with home victories over Indiana State on December 22 and New Orleans on December 29.
The schedule reflects a 24‑11 record from the previous season and marks the program’s 53rd NCAA Tournament appearance, underscoring the continued prominence of the Jayhawks in college basketball.