Expectations are through the roof for Bill Self and his Kansas Jayhawks for the 2024-2025 season. After lacking depth last season, and falling short of program expectations, coach Self loaded up with recruits and the transfer portal and has expectations sky-high again for this season. The Kansas Jayhawks posted their non-conference schedule for the season, and they are set to be battle-tested for Big 12 action following the new year.
Kansas Basketball Non-Conference Schedule Released: Jayhawks Set to be Battle-tested for Big 12 Action
Let’s dive into Kansas’ schedule this season and take a look at the travels and challenges the Jayhawks will encounter this season. Their annual Late Night in the Phog is slated for Friday night October 18th which is always one of the best opening nights in all of college basketball. That will kick off the season for the Jayhawks, and get fans ready for the upcoming season.
Early Season Cupcakes
Like most programs, the Jayhawks have a couple of early-season cupcakes to start the season. Kansas will take on Washburn and Howard to begin their season. Both games are slated to be played at Phog Allen. Game one against Washburn will take place on October 29th, and the second game vs. Howard will be played on November 4th.
Tougher Road
Following that is when things are set to get a little together. While they remain in Lawrence, Hubert Davis and his North Carolina Tar Heels come to town for a Friday, November 8th battle. This is a rematch of the national title game in April of 2022. Both teams have high expectations and two of the most successful programs in all of college basketball.
Kansas has released its non-conference schedule for the 2024-25 season. pic.twitter.com/Zcy9jhC3x8
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) July 11, 2024
Then comes the Champions Classic. This season the game will be played in Atlanta. The State Farm Arena will be host of the game. Duke and Kentucky play the other game, while Kansas gets the Michigan State Spartans. Tom Izzo and his team out of the Big Ten are always a test with their toughness and ability to rebound the basketball.
Wrapping up November
The Jayhawks will then remain at home for a pair of games leading up to their travels before Thanksgiving. Kansas gets the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland on November 16th and then welcomes UNC-Wilmington to town on November 19th. That will lead to a week off before the second game for Kansas against the Atlantic Coast Conference. Coach Self and his Jayhawks head to Vegas to take on Duke at the T-Mobile Arena on the 26th. The final game of November for Kansas is against Furman on November 30th.
Turning to December
Things in December do not get much easier, as they start the month with three power programs; all with a chance to make noise in the big dance this season. The first is December 4th on the road in Omaha against Coach McDermott and his Creighton Blue Jays. Then, the Jayhawks head to Columbia Missouri for a rivalry game against the Missouri Tigers. Missouri will be much improved this season, and certainly out for blood. Finally, the Jayhawks will host the Wolf Pack of North Carolina State on December 14th. This will be the third meeting against an ACC foe.
The final game for the Jayhawks before Big 12 play starts is December 22nd. Just before Christmas, the Jayhawks give their fans a treat at the Phog Allen Fieldhouse, as they take on Brown.
The rest of the 2024-2025 Kansas Jayhawks schedule should be announced soon, including the large Big 12 conference slate. Fans in Lawrence cannot wait, and college basketball experts around the country are looking forward to seeing how Coach Self constructs his latest squad.
