Kansas basketball opened the season against its typical "cupcake" opponent; this time Fordham was the sacrificial lamb, and the Jayhawks took care of business easily. The Jayhawks' biggest rival, about an hour and a half down the road, Kansas State, couldn't do the same in its own season opener.
The Wildcat took on South Dakota State to open the Casey Alexander era in Manhattan, and while Kansas fans were all that worried about Kansas State getting increasingly better on the hardwood, they certainly have no reason to be now. The Wildcats couldn't even beat South Dakota State, being upset 68-66 on their home court in Bramlage Coliseum.
Kansas State loses a buy game to South Dakota State.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) November 4, 2026
The epitome of brutality.
Now if that isn't simply embarrassing, then I don't know what is. Things aren't looking too good in Manhattan right now, as the Wildcats look like they are still trying to figure out how to even be competitive on the hardwood. Luckily for the Jayhawks, that isn't a problem.
Looks like "The Octagon of Doom," as Kansas State so lovingly calls its basketball arena, isn't so scary after all.
Kansas shouldn't have any problems sweeping Kansas State this season in basketball
Let's face it, the Sunflower Showdown is so lopsided when it comes to basketball; it's no wonder why the Wildcats continue trying. Granted, Kansas State found some wins in years past while in Manhattan, but the Jayhawks always get the last laugh when it comes to the game in Lawrence, the Big 12 Tournament, and the NCAA Tournament, when it really matters.
The Jayhawks are set for two matchups against the Wildcats, per usual, this season, with both teams making the short trip to each other's arena. Kansas will be the first team to travel, heading to Manhattan on January 23 for a Saturday matchup, but won't see the Wildcats again until nearly a month later, on February 27, in Lawrence.
While it is highly possible for Kansas State to improve as the season goes on, this first outing of the regular season doesn't give much hope of that happening for the Wildcats. It could be another season of poor play on the hardwood, something the Jayhawks will be happy to watch.
If this is the team Kansas State is going to be this season, it looks like Kansas could mark both of these games as wins. Granted, rivalry games always bring a different energy, but if Kansas loses to a team that lost to South Dakota State, that is something the Jayhawks may never be able to live down.
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