The great thing about college basketball that lacks across many other sports is that you can lose a game and the world won’t collapse on you (most of the time). Of course, no team is ever buzzing after a loss, but prior to conference basketball, you will find several of the game’s elite coaches scheduling high-profile affairs.
The Kansas Jayhawks are no different. Bill Self has never shied away from a bout between heavyweights and you can tell that by the fact that next season, Kansas will be taking on the State Farm Champions Classic, the Players Era and the CBS Sports Classic.
In Jeff Borzello and Myron Mecalf’s latest article titled “100 days to men's college basketball: Top stories, players, games,” the pair broke down the 10 best non-conference games to watch, where the Jayhawks were featured twice.
Matchup No. 1: A duel between Tyran Stokes’ biggest fans
You can already feel the intensity slowly rising for when the Kansas Jayhawks travel to the historic United Center to take on the Kentucky Wildcats.
Beyond these two squads’ blue-blood tags, these were largely considered the two realistic candidates to land the No. 1 player in the nation in the class of 2026, Tyran Stokes. Stokes eventually chose KU, but he kept both sides filled with hope up until his decision was made.
This matchup also sees the storyline of how two transfer-ravaged squads fare, as the Jayhawks lost seven players via the portal and have reeled in four to help replace them. Meanwhile for UK head coach Mark Pope, his squad lost five players is set to reel in six of their own.
“The battle for the commitment of Tyran Stokes -- the projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA draft per ESPN -- involved a visit to Lexington that created a buzz among Big Blue Nation, before it became clear he'd already decided to play for Bill Self. This will amplify the atmosphere at the United Center for this Champions Classic matchup. -- Medcalf”
Matchup No. 2: The last Border War?
Earlier in July, Missouri basketball coach Dennis Gates was clear on his stance that he was in favor of renewing the historic Border War rivalry between the Jayhawks and the Tigers. For now, the 2026 Border War will serve as the last until the two universities ink a new deal to keep the series intact.
Gates has established himself as a great coach and an elite recruiter, and with the Tigers being stocked full of talent, this could serve as a good chance for Gates and Co. to get one over on KU for just the third time since the 2009-10 season.
“The Border War is one of the strongest rivalries in college basketball. This edition will feature four former McDonald's All Americans, and the reality that we're just not sure how many more times we will see Bill Self in this setting. -- Medcalf”
While no one knows if Self will last beyond this season, what is known is that it might not matter until a new contract is settled to prevent another 10-year hiatus.
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