The Border Showdown is back: Kansas basketball and Miz will play in 2020
The Border Showdown is back* (for basketball). Kansas basketball will face Missouri next season on December 21 at the Sprint Center in Kansas City and then alternate between Lawrence and Columbia through 2026.
One of the greatest and oldest rivalries in college athletics is back. The annual Border Showdown between Kansas is Missouri is back, at least during the basketball season. The two schools haven’t played each other in the regular season since Missouri departed the Big 12 to join the SEC, but the bad blood never died.
The Border Showdown, or Border War, has deep roots dating back to the Civil War. The free staters of Lawrence and pro-slavery border-ruffians of Missouri often engaged in small skirmishes prior to the Civil War. The term “Jayhawker” was born of the conflict to represent the militant abolitionists of Kansas.
The two schools first met on the court back in 1907 when Missouri beat Kansas 35-31 in Columbia. Since then, the animosity grew, and the Border War became one of the oldest rivalries West of the Mississippi River according to Sports Illustrated. Kansas leads the overall series 174-95.
“I know it was something our players and fans missed, and so did I” – Bill Self on the Border Showdown
The fact that the rivalry is back is not only exciting for the fans, but the players and coaches seem to be excited too. Multiple Jayhawks like Dajuan Harris and Mitch Lightfoot have already tweeted out their excitement.
Kansas basketball and Missouri are set to face each other once a season for the next six seasons starting during the 2020-21 season. The games will go between the Sprint Center, Lawrence, and Columbia.
Border Showdown Schedule
2020-21 Sprint Center
2021-22: Lawrence
2022-23: Columbia
2023-24: Lawrence
2024-25: Columbia
2025-26: Sprint Center
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The rivalry is back, and while some may not agree due to Missouri having left, it’s ultimately too special not to have. Here’s to hoping for more great games between bitter rivals Kansas and Missouri.