Kansas basketball: The Jayhawks’ 5 toughest games in their non-conference slate

Apr 3, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self talks to the media during a press conference during the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four semifinals at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self talks to the media during a press conference during the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four semifinals at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
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Kansas basketball is entering 2023-2024 as the preseason No. 1 team in the AP Poll for the fourth time in the Bill Self era. Expectations are higher than ever, which means the pressure to perform well will be ratcheted up even more for the Jayhawks.

Bill Self has always put together non-conference schedules that give his teams a true test every year before Big 12 play begins. This year will be no different, as the non-conference schedule looks to be one of the toughest ones in recent memory.

The regular season will begin on Nov. 6 against NC Central, and the team will play 13 games in their non-conference slate. There are some formidable opponents that Kansas basketball will face.

We’ll take a look at the five toughest games in the non-conference for Kansas basketball this year, beginning with No. 5.