In a few hours, fans of the No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks will be anxiously in front of their televisions watching one of the most anticipated clashes of the year, as the Jayhawks take on the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils, in the State Farm Champions Classic. Early-season matchups like this draw the eyes of the collegiate basketball world onto center stage.
Minutes ago, Kansas announced a matchup slated for November 10th, 2026, at the United Center, this time against the University of Kentucky.
2026 Champions Classic is coming to Chicago 👀
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) November 18, 2025
Kansas vs. Kentucky
Nov. 10, 2026 | United Center pic.twitter.com/0FrwM8qTII
This is a rivalry that has seen the two sides clash 36 times, dating all the way back to the 1950-51 season. The Wildcats hold the series advantage with a 24-12 record over Kansas. Yet a number of those wins came early on in the series as Kansas won just one of the first 17 matchups. As of late, Bill Self’s team has notched a 6-4 record, with a two-game win streak in effect.
Under head coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats enlisted one of the most sought-after coaches in the nation ahead of the 2024-25 season. Pope’s record of 110-52 at Brigham Young, which included two NCAA Tournament appearances, opened the doors for his return to his alma mater. In year one, Pope instrumented a 24-12 record with Kentucky and made it to the Sweet 16 before falling to Tennessee in a 78-65 loss.
Darryn Peterson’s injury puts Kansas in crisis mode ahead of Duke clash
So far this season, Kansas has already seen its fair share of tests, with a trip to No. 18 UNC Tar Heels already in the books. Past Tuesday, Kansas will also take on Notre Dame (Nov. 24th), Syracuse (Nov. 25), UConn (Dec 2nd), and NC State (Dec. 13th), all of that is not even mentioning the Players Era, where matchups have not been finalized yet.
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