Kansas basketball holds the lead for the most victories in college basketball history, but they have yet to defeat these seven schools.
The Kansas Jayhawks are the winningest team in college basketball history, so they are no strangers to coming out of games victorious. Among the 243 Division I schools they’ve faced all time, the illustrious program has defeated 236 of them at least once. If you’re wondering, that’s good for a percentage of 97.1.
But what names have yet to be crossed off the list?
Some of these schools could very well never play the Jayhawks again. Perhaps they got an off-brand version of Kansas basketball that was out of its element, or maybe it just wasn’t a good year for KU. You’ll find that many of the teams that appear here handed down some gut-wrenching NCAA Tournament losses to us fans.
Five teams are 1-0 against Kansas, while two are 2-0. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s jump into the list!
Overall record: 0-2
First meeting: Mar. 16, 1985
Last meeting: Mar. 23, 2019
Auburn ending KU’s season in 2019 is fresh on everyone’s mind, but they did the same in 1985 in what was arguably Danny Manning’s worst game as a Jayhawk. He shot 3-for-12 and posted just seven points as the No. 11-seeded Tigers slipped by Kansas 66-64 in the Round of 32.
Four years ago, Auburn took a 26-point lead into halftime in one of the most pitiful Kansas March Madness performances ever. The game was so bad that it was difficult to even feel upset about it.
With the effective termination of the Big 12/SEC Challenge, these two schools might not meet again for decades to come. However, if they do, Kansas must chase a win to avoid going 0-3 against them.
Kansas basketball vs. Bradley basketball
Overall record: 0-2
First meeting: Mar. 20, 1950
Last meeting: Mar. 17, 2006
It would make sense if people didn’t know this, but Bradley was once a college basketball powerhouse. When they beat the Phog Allen-led Jayhawks in 1950, they finished the season as the No. 1 team in the country before losing to CCNY in the title game. Who would’ve known?
Nobody is going to dwell on a regular season loss from 73 years ago, but 2006 certainly stung a bit. It was one of many agonizing tourney losses during the early Bill Self era as he endured his growing pains as Kansas’ head coach.
Marcellus Sommerville connected on 5-of-9 three-pointers and posted 21 points en route to a huge upset for the No. 13-seeded Braves. If Kansas ever sees them again, they should give them a massive beatdown.
Overall record: 0-1
First meeting: Mar. 18, 2005
Last meeting: Mar. 18, 2005
Speaking of agonizing tournament losses… yeah. The preseason No. 1 team with one of the deepest rosters in the Coach Self era couldn’t even sneak by the Bucknell Bison in the first round.
It wouldn’t make much sense for Bucknell to schedule a game with Kansas when they have this one in the history books. KU will never be able to live this one down.
Overall record: 0-1
First meeting: Dec. 17, 1949
Last meeting: Dec. 17, 1949
The second school from this list that Kansas lost to in the 1949-50 season — just as we all imagined.
Duquesne was a consensus top-10 team all year and took down the Jayhawks 64-54. The Dukes haven’t reached the NCAA Tournament for 46 years, so unless the AD plans a game between the two parties, it doesn’t look like this will change anytime soon.
Kansas basketball vs. Northern Iowa basketball
Overall record: 0-1
First meeting: Mar. 20, 2010
Last meeting: Mar. 20, 2010
This list is just bringing back bad memories for me. The Ali Farokhmanesh game will never be forgotten by Kansas fans. It was an all-around sloppy performance and a terrible way to send off the legendary Sherron Collins, although he didn’t do very well himself. One of the most talented KU teams ever just had to fall to a no-name school. It definitely could have been a banner year.
UNI hasn’t enjoyed much success since this win, so similar to other schools on this list, they might not play the Jayhawks in the near future. However, if they do happen to slip into the NCAA Tournament one day, let’s hope the Selection Sunday committee pairs these two together.
Overall record: 0-1
First meeting: Dec. 11, 1964
Last meeting: Dec. 11, 1964
This is one of two regular season matchups on this list. No matter how long you’ve watched Kansas basketball, it’s unlikely you remember this one. KU went on to finish 17-8 under first-year head coach Ted Owens.
Kansas basketball vs. VCU basketball
Overall record: 0-1
First meeting: Mar. 27, 2011
Last meeting: Mar. 27, 2011
Most people can agree that this was the worst Kansas basketball loss in the 21st century, and likely far beyond that as well.
The Jayhawks had a crystal clear path to an NCAA Championship and blew it all. They underestimated what VCU head coach Shaka Smart could do. Kansas had an opportunity to plow through a No. 16, 9, 12, and 11 seed to the Final Four with arguably Bill Self’s best team ever, and they couldn’t get it done.
Tears were shed equally by players and fans alike. The program needs its payback on VCU.
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