Yahoo Sports Kansas Jayhawks will play UConn in basketball: see highlights of KU’s 2023-24 schedule
A matchup against defending national champion UConn at Allen Fieldhouse, Border War battle with Missouri in Lawrence and Thanksgiving-week excursion to Maui highlight the non-conference portion of the Kansas Jayhawks’ 2023-24 men’s basketball schedule.
“Once again, our non-conference schedule will be one of the toughest in America, as it has been most years since we’ve been here,” KU coach Bill Self said in a Monday news release. “Playing Kentucky in Champions; going to Maui with maybe as loaded of a field as Maui has ever had; coming home and playing Missouri and Connecticut; and going to Indiana are all monster-type games and games that could have national implications.”
The Jayhawks open the season Nov. 6 against North Carolina Central. KU alumni, legendary coach John McClendon and the McLendon Leadership Initiative will be honored during the game.
“We’re excited to open up the season against North Carolina Central, in large part because that is part of the McClendon Foundation Leadership initiative,” Self said. “With it, we get an opportunity to honor one of the greatest coaches our sport has ever known, John McClendon, in our building playing an HBCU institution.”
Four days later, Kansas plays Manhattan College at Allen Fieldhouse on Nov. 10.
After playing fellow blueblood Kentucky at Rupp Arena last season, Kansas plays UK in Chicago in the Champions Classic on Nov. 14.
KU will then head west to play in the Maui Invitational for three days: Nov. 20-22. The field is comprised of Kansas, Syracuse, Marquette, Purdue, UCLA, Tennessee, Gonzaga and host Chaminade.
After that, Kansas will play host to Eastern Illinois at home.
UConn arrives in Lawerence on Dec. 1 in a matchup of the last two national champions. KU then plays a local foe, the Kansas City Roos, on Dec. 5.
The Jayhawks and Tigers renew Border War acquaintances Dec. 9 at Allen Fieldhouse. On Dec. 16, KU travels to Bloomington, Indiana to play the IU Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
Kansas is currently scheduled to conclude its non-conference schedule against Yale of the Ivy League on Dec. 22. But there’s one important caveat: Talks are apparently underway about playing Wichita State — a rarity — in a Dec. 29 game at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
KU’s 2023-24 non-conference schedule
Nov. 1 (Wed.) – Fort Hayes Smith (exhibition)
Nov. 6 (Mon.) – North Carolina Central
Nov. 10 (Fri.) – Manhattan College
Nov. 14 (Tues.) – vs. Kentucky (Champions Classic, Chicago)
Nov. 20-22 (Mon.-Wed.) – Maui Jim Maui Invitational (Lahaina, Hawaii: KU, Chaminade, Gonzaga, Marquette, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCLA)
Nov. 28 (Tues.) – Eastern Illinois
Dec. 1 (Fri.) – UConn (Big East-Big 12 Battle)
Dec. 5 (Tues.) – KC Roos (UMKC)
Dec. 9 (Sat.) – Missouri
Dec. 16 (Sat.) – at Indiana
Dec. 22 (Fri.) – Yale
