The Big 12 has set the table for Kansas and Kansas State, and the 2026-27 conference slate gives both programs a clear early start to league play.
For the Jayhawks and Wildcats, Big 12 action opens on Jan. 2. From there, the schedule quickly stacks up with road trips, rivalry dates and a few matchups that stand out on first glance.
Kansas’ early run includes a Jan. 9 trip to BYU, a Feb. 1 road game at Houston and a March 1 senior night home game against Iowa State. The Jayhawks also get Kansas State twice, first in Manhattan on Jan. 23 and then back in Lawrence on Feb. 27.
Kansas State’s league calendar opens with a trip to Baylor on Jan. 2, but the first real home-heavy stretch arrives right after that. The Wildcats host Houston on Jan. 5 and Arizona on Jan. 9, two games that shape the opening weeks. Their Sunflower Showdown dates come Jan. 23 in Manhattan and Feb. 27 in Lawrence.
Here’s the full conference schedule for both teams:
Kansas Jayhawks conference basketball schedule
Jan. 2 - West Virginia
Jan. 6 - at Utah
Jan. 9 - at BYU
Jan. 13 - Colorado
Jan. 16 - UCF
Jan. 19 - Cincinnati
Jan. 23 - at Kansas State
Jan.
30 - Oklahoma State
Feb. 1 - at Houston
Feb. 6 - Texas Tech
Feb. 9 - Arizona State
Feb. 13 - at Iowa State
Feb.
17 - Baylor
Feb. 20 - at Arizona
Feb. 24 - at TCU
Feb.
27 - Kansas State
March 1 - Iowa State
March 6 - at Baylor
Kansas State Wildcats conference basketball schedule
Jan. 2 - at Baylor
Jan.
5 - Houston
Jan.
9 - Arizona
Jan. 12 - at West Virginia
Jan. 16 - TCU
Jan. 19 - at Arizona State
Jan.
23 - Kansas
Jan. 30 - at Iowa State
Feb. 3 - Oklahoma State
Feb. 6 - Colorado
Feb. 10 - at Utah
Feb. 13 - at BYU
Feb. 16 - Arizona State
Feb. 20 - at Cincinnati
Feb.
24 - Texas Tech
Feb. 27 - at Kansas
March 3 - at UCF
March 6 - Cincinnati
Time and dates are TBA.
In Other News...
Arizona State Brings A Big 12 Problem Kansas Can't Ignore
The Jayhawks head to Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday for a matchup with Arizona State in the inaugural Union Jack Classic, a historic setting for the first college football game ever played at the venue. For Kansas, it is more than a novelty trip. It is an early test against a Sun Devils team that has already shown enough through two games to look like a real Big 12 issue, with head coach Kenny Dillingham bringing an aggressive edge and a defense up front that can make life difficult.
Arizona State also has enough on the perimeter to stress a Kansas defense that will have to stay sharp from the opening series. The Sun Devils have playmakers in the passing game and a quarterback in Cutter Boley who has already put together a productive start, which means this is not the kind of overseas showcase where the Jayhawks can afford a slow beginning. If Kansas wants to leave London with momentum instead of questions, it will have to deal with a team that looks built to keep this one uncomfortable deep into Saturday. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Faces A Bigger Test Than Fans Wanted After Missouri
Kansas came out of the Missouri loss with more than a sour taste, as the coaching staff spent part of the week sorting through what went wrong and what needs to look cleaner going forward. A big piece of that conversation centered on Isaiah Marshall, whose development remains a priority, along with the broader need for the offense and the team as a whole to show more consistency as the schedule tightens up.
Arizona State is next, and the early read from the Kansas side is that this is no ordinary bounce-back spot. The staff pointed to the Sun Devils talent, a strong coaching setup and a few players who can tilt the game quickly, which makes the margin for error feel small before kickoff even arrives. A prediction was already laid down on the game, and it leans toward Arizona State, which only adds to the sense that Kansas is heading into a tougher test than many fans probably wanted right after the Missouri game. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Faces A Depth Test Ahead Of Crucial Arizona State Game
Kansas heads into its matchup with Arizona State already dealing with a thin margin for error, and the injury report only adds to the uncertainty. Linebacker Bam Crouch, wide receiver Cam Pickett and tight end Carson Bruhn are all listed as questionable, leaving the Jayhawks to sort through depth issues on both sides of the ball as they prepare for a crucial conference game.
The quarterback situation is even more precarious, with Cole Ballard doubtful because of a shoulder injury. If he cannot go, freshman Chase Jenkins would likely be next in line, a scenario that would put even more pressure on Kansas to manage the game cleanly while navigating an offense already short on healthy options. [Read more 🡒]