The Kansas Jayhawks are heading into Big 12 play with their eyes wide open-and for good reason. This conference schedule isn’t just tough; it’s a full-on gauntlet. You’ve got undefeated juggernauts, top-three matchups, and enough nationally televised games to keep the Jayhawks in the spotlight from now through early March.
Bill Self isn’t pretending otherwise. The Hall of Fame coach knows what’s coming, and he’s not sugarcoating it.
“We drew the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in the country twice,” Self said. “It’s a hard schedule no matter what.
But I’ve always thought if you’re good enough to win the Big 12, you’re one of the best teams in the country. Now, if you finish top four or five, you’re one of the best teams in the country.”
That’s not coach-speak. That’s reality in the modern Big 12, which has grown deeper and more dangerous than ever.
With recent additions like Arizona, BYU, and Houston joining an already loaded field, the conference is a weekly warzone. And Kansas?
They’re right in the thick of it.
Let’s break it down.
January: The Opening Test
Kansas opens the new year on the road at UCF, a program that’s quietly started 11-1. That’s no cupcake to kick things off. Then it’s a quick turnaround to face TCU at Allen Fieldhouse, followed by a trip to Morgantown to take on West Virginia.
But the real fireworks begin on Jan. 13, when undefeated Iowa State comes to Lawrence. The Cyclones are 13-0 and playing with the kind of defensive intensity that’s made them one of the early darlings of the season. Just three days later, Kansas hosts Baylor-another top-15 squad with Final Four aspirations.
Then it’s back-to-back road trips to Colorado and Kansas State, both of whom are hovering around double-digit wins and are more than capable of pulling an upset at home. By the end of January, Kansas will have faced multiple ranked teams and logged serious mileage.
February: No Let-Up
If January is tough, February might be even more brutal. It starts with BYU (12-1) at home, followed by a road clash at Texas Tech-always a hostile environment.
Then comes a two-game homestand against Utah and Arizona. The latter?
A 13-0 powerhouse that’s looked every bit like a national title contender.
And just when you think it can’t get any more intense, Kansas hits the road again to face Iowa State in Ames on Feb. 14.
That’s followed by a trip to Oklahoma State, another 12-1 squad, before returning home to host Cincinnati and Houston. The Cougars, at 12-1, are one of the most complete teams in the country-physical, disciplined, and dangerous on both ends.
Then comes a rematch with Arizona, this time in Tucson, before closing out the road slate against Arizona State. The regular season wraps up with a rivalry showdown against Kansas State on March 7 in Lawrence.
A Gauntlet Built for Growth
This schedule isn’t just tough-it’s the kind of challenge that forges championship-caliber teams. Self knows it.
The players know it. And fans should buckle up for what promises to be a wild ride.
In a league this deep, even finishing in the top four or five means you’ve survived one of the most demanding regular seasons in college basketball. As Self put it, “A team that finishes fourth in our league could win a national championship.”
That’s not hyperbole. That’s the Big 12 in 2026.
For Kansas, this stretch is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about growth. It’s about figuring out who can make plays under pressure, who can lock down defensively when the game slows down, and who’s ready to lead when the lights are brightest.
Because come March, the teams that have been through the fire are the ones that usually shine. And if Kansas can navigate this Big 12 slate, they’ll be as battle-tested as anyone in the country.