Kansas basketball schedule 2023-24: Kentucky, UConn, Indiana among Jayhawks’ top nonconference games

Kansas’ 2023-24 basketball schedule was once launched Tuesday that includes a number of games in opposition to the country’s top groups. The Jayhawks open up the season in Lawrence, Kansas, on Nov. 6 in opposition to North Carolina Central and has every other house sport in opposition to Manhattan at Phog Allen Fieldhouse earlier than they face their first tricky check of the season on the Champions Classic in opposition to Kentucky on Nov. 14 in Chicago.

Kansas is the No. 1 ranked staff within the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 and is without doubt one of the favorites to chop down the nets this spring on the Final Four. The Jayhawks added the top switch to be had within the portal in Michigan middle Hunter Dickinson. Kansas additionally brings again 3 skilled starters from ultimate season: Dajuan Harris, Kevin McCullar and KJ Adams.

Before the true games start, Kansas has an exhibition sport at the highway in opposition to Illinois on Oct. 29. That sport will carry cash for the ongoing aid efforts after the tragic wildfires in Maui, Hawaii and also will function a homecoming for Kansas trainer Bill Self. The preseason game was once set to be a closed scrimmage between the 2 systems however it’s going to now be open to the general public for enthusiasts to wait.

Another intriguing matchup for Kansas is a house sport in opposition to the reigning nationwide champion, UConn. The Huskies are anticipated to be one of the vital top groups within the nation in spite of shedding Jordan Hawkins, Adama Sanogo and Andre Jackson Jr. to the NBA Draft. This sport is a part of the 5th annual Big East/Big 12 Battle.

Here are the top 5 nonconference games for Kansas this season adopted via the Jayhawks’ whole 2023-24 schedule. 

1. UConn

When: Dec. 1, 2023 Where: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, Kansas)

UConn had one of the vital dominant March Madness runs within the historical past of the NCAA Tournament and is again for extra this season. The Huskies misplaced 3 essential gamers to the NBA Draft however Donovan Clingan is predicted to take an enormous leap this season to interchange a few of that manufacturing that was once misplaced. Other gamers anticipated to make an have an effect on are returners Tristen Newton and Alex Karaban and Rutgers switch Cam Spencer. This sport is going on 4 weeks after the school basketball season formally begins and will have to be one of the vital absolute best matchups of the season. It does not harm for the leisure side that it is a house sport for Kansas and now not a neutral-site matchup.

2. Kentucky

When: Nov. 14, 2023 Where: United Center (Chicago)

This sport was once previewed in Kentucky’s nonconference preview and it ranked because the No. 1 matchup for the Wildcats this season. If Kansas did not have a date with the champs, this sport would simply be the most productive matchup for each groups this season. One of the most productive sides of school basketball is all of the large time matchups you get throughout the primary few weeks of the season. Kentucky is not as robust because it as soon as was once however they have got a loaded recruiting magnificence coming in that is headlined via DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards. We will be told so much about each groups after this staff.

When: Dec. 16, 2023 Where: Assembly Hall (Bloomington, Indiana)

This would be the hardest highway sport Kansas has earlier than it begins league play on the flip of the calendar yr. This is a matchup of conventional blue blood powers and despite the fact that Indiana is not as dominant because it as soon as was once, Mike Woodson has the Hoosiers program again in a excellent position. Returning ahead Malik Reneau, Oregon switch Kel’el Ware and five-star ahead Mackenzie Mgbako will have to lend a hand Woodson substitute the void Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jalen Hood-Schifino left. The Jayhawks may well be on dissatisfied alert once they trip to Bloomington.

When: Dec. 9, 2023 Where: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, Kansas)

How are you able to disregard a few matchup between two former Big 12 foes? This sport has been promoted because the Hy-Vee Hoops Border Showdown since 2021 and is without doubt one of the oldest rivalries in faculty basketball. The first sport performed between the 2 systems in hoops was once in 1907 and the competition took a success when Missouri departed for the SEC in 2012. The Jayhawks have received 13 of the ultimate 15 matchups, together with a blowout win at the highway ultimate season. This sport will probably be performed in Columbia subsequent season earlier than being shifted to a impartial web site matchup in 2025 and 2026.

When: Dec. 30, 2023 Where: T-Mobile Center (Kansas City, Missouri)

Speaking of games with custom, it is a matchup between two in-state systems that dates again 115 years. This would be the first assembly since Wichita State took down Kansas within the Sweet 16 throughout the 2015 NCAA Tournament. The Shockers are not the similar mid-major powerhouse that Kansas bumped into throughout that event, however a impartial web site sport in opposition to a high quality opponent will have to function one ultimate check earlier than Big 12 play begins.

Kansas 2023-24 schedule