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Kansas' 2026 Players Era path looks too good to be true

The Kansas Jayhawks finished last season's Players Era undefeated.
ByConnor Mardian|
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Mar 7, 2026; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self questions a call by the official during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Mar 7, 2026; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self questions a call by the official during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Being one of the few Blue Bloods of college basketball, the Kansas Jayhawks are often invited to several of the game’s most prized in-season tournaments/classics. So much so that it can be dizzying at times, figuring out which one is which. 

For example, last season the Jayhawks played in both the State Farm Champions Classic and the Players Era.

In the State Farm Champions Classic, Kansas played a one-off at the historic Madison Square Garden against the Duke Blue Devils. A game the Jayhawks kept close until the very end, but ultimately the Darryn Peterson-less Jayhawks could not keep things close enough in what turned into a 78-66 loss.

Following their trip up north, the Jayhawks then thrived in that season’s Players Era, beating Notre Dame, Syracuse and No. 17 Tennessee. All were without Darryn Peterson as the Jayhawks finished third overall.

Next season, KU will be taking on the State Farm Champions Classic, the CBS Sports Classic and the Players Era, and earlier today, their Players Era path was revealed. 

 Kansas given a layup of path to Players Era Championship

Next season, the Jayhawks are set to take part in the Players Era 8, one of two Players Era Tournaments. The second, Players Era 16, will run November 24th-28th; Players Era 8 will be held November 17th-19th. 

Kansas’ path comprises UNLV, then a matchup against either West Virginia or Auburn, before a final against either Florida, Notre Dame, Houston, or Rutgers.

Last season, UNLV finished 18-17 under first-year head coach and former ACC Champion Josh Pastner. The Mountaineers marked a 21-14 record under head coach first-year head coach Ross Hodge, and the Auburn Tigers won the NIT under first-year head coach Steven Pearl and finished with a 22-16 record overall.

Players Era CEO Seth Berger was quoted, “With the strongest field outside of March, Players Era has consistently delivered an unmatched test to the top programs in the country and this year’s showcase is going to be another powerhouse event.”

“Our continued partnership with MGM Resorts and their world-famous arenas, and new agreement with ESPN, the number one college basketball network in the world, is going to take this year’s events to another level once again and we can’t wait for the games to tip off in November.”

The last relevant matchup KU has had against any team on their side of the bracket was against the Mountaineers last season. Kansas’ loss to WVU started the Jayhawks off 1-2 in Big 12 play, leading to a player’s only meeting that sparked an eight-game winning streak. 

Kansas’ other in-season extracirriculars

In the State Farm Champions Classic, Kansas will be taking on the Kentucky Wildcats in what will be one of the nation’s most-watched games, as both Kentucky and Kansas were vying for the nation’s No. 1 signature in Tyran Stokes. 

Then, the Jayhawks will move into the Players Era before an appearance in the CBS Sports Classic against Ohio State, six days before Christmas.

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