Kansas basketball gets its first public look at the 2026-27 team on Friday night, when the Jayhawks host Pittsburg State in an exhibition at Allen Fieldhouse. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT.
The game arrives as Kansas begins the long lead-in to another season, and it will give fans an early chance to see what this roster might look like once the real games start. The Jayhawks are coming off a run to the semifinals of the Big 12 Conference tournament and the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament, and this exhibition opens a stretch that includes a couple more tune-ups before the regular season.
The matchup will be streamed on ESPN+. Kansas’ roster is expected to be led by freshman guard Tyran Stokes, giving supporters their first chance to see him in action in a Kansas uniform.
There are plenty of questions surrounding this group, and the exhibition should start to answer some of them. Bill Self is back after considering retirement, and KU brings in a new-look roster with enough talent to compete in the Big 12 and beyond. How the pieces fit together, how Stokes is used and how quickly the chemistry comes along are all part of the early storyline.
The timing also lines up with a new-look Late Night in the Phog, adding another layer to what should be a big night around the program. For Kansas, it’s an early opportunity to set the tone before the schedule gets more demanding.
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Bill Selfs Early Tyran Stokes Verdict Will Get Kansas Talking
Tyran Stokes made his official Kansas debut during the 41st Late Night in the Phog and gave Jayhawks fans plenty to chew on, scoring 14 points with four rebounds and two assists in a little more than 17 minutes. It was an efficient first look at the highly anticipated newcomer, and enough to stand out in an exhibition setting where the crowd was eager to see how he would fit into Bill Selfs program.
Bill Self, though, wasnt willing to hand out too much praise after the performance, calling it average even with Stokes finishing as Kansas second-leading scorer. That kind of early-evening assessment is worth watching in Lawrence, especially with the next chance to evaluate Stokes coming Oct. 21 against Louisville, when the stakes and the scrutiny figure to be a little higher. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Fans Got An Early Answer On This New Rotation
Kansas gave its fans an early look at a new rotation in a comfortable 80-62 exhibition win over Pittsburg State at Allen Fieldhouse, and there were already a few clues about how the pieces might fit. Tre White led the way with 16 points, while Christian Reeves and Tyran Stokes each added 14, giving the Jayhawks a balanced scoring night and some first impressions to sort through before the games start counting.
The result also kept Kansas long home exhibition streak alive at 58 games, a reminder that the building still tends to look familiar even when the roster does not. There is still another tuneup ahead, with Louisville visiting on Oct. 21, and that matchup should offer a clearer read on how this group handles a more serious test. [Read more 🡒]
Lance Leipold Pressure Just Hit A New Level At Kansas
Kansas had the kind of start that can fool a crowd into thinking a rivalry day might turn, at least for a while. The Jayhawks jumped out to an early double-digit lead against Kansas State, but the game slowly slipped away as special teams mistakes and defensive breakdowns piled up, turning another emotional Border War afternoon into another painful result.
The loss, 35-24, pushed Kansas to an 18-game skid and added another layer to the scrutiny around Lance Leipold. It also extended his losing streak against Kansas State to six straight since taking over in 2021, a number that has only intensified the questions around where the program is headed as the Jayhawks search for answers. [Read more 🡒]