Kansas vs. Davidson Preview: Jayhawks Wrap Up Non-Conference Slate at Allen Fieldhouse
With conference play looming, the Kansas Jayhawks are set to close out their non-conference schedule Monday night with a matchup against Davidson at Allen Fieldhouse. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT, and while the name “Davidson” might stir memories of past March battles, this year’s Wildcats bring a new-look squad that’s quietly putting together a solid season in the Atlantic 10.
Let’s break down what fans should know heading into KU’s final tune-up before Big 12 play begins.
How to Watch
- When: Monday, 7 p.m. CT
- Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas
- TV: ESPN+
- Radio: WHB 810 AM (Kansas City), ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM
Probable Starters
Davidson (8-3)
- F/C: Ian Platteeuw (7-0, Fr.) - 5.6 ppg
- G: Parker Friedrichsen (6-4, Jr.) - 8.0 ppg
- G: Devin Brown (6-6, Fr.) - 6.3 ppg
- G: Josh Scovens (6-6, Jr.) - 10.5 ppg
- G: Sam Brown (6-3, Jr.) - 8.7 ppg
Kansas (9-3)
- F: Flory Bidunga (6-10, Soph.) - 14.4 ppg
- F: Bryson Tiller (6-11, Fr.) - 8.8 ppg
- G: Tre White (6-7, Sr.) - 14.2 ppg
- G: Melvin Council Jr. (6-4, Sr.) - 13.2 ppg
- G: Jamari McDowell (6-5, Soph.) - 3.8 ppg
Scouting Davidson: Underrated and Balanced
Don’t let the Atlantic 10 label fool you-Davidson has been tested early and has the résumé to prove it. The Wildcats come into Allen Fieldhouse at 8-3, with wins over Boston College, Washington State, and Charlotte. They started the season 5-0 for the first time in nearly a decade and have shown they can win in different ways.
Davidson’s offense is efficient, averaging 75.2 points per game while shooting a sharp 48.1% from the field and 38% from three. When they’re in rhythm, they can stretch defenses with multiple shooters and crisp ball movement. But it’s not just offense-defensively, they’re giving up 67.2 points per game and holding opponents to 31.6% from beyond the arc.
Junior guard Josh Scovens leads the way at 10.5 points per game and brings energy on both ends, also tying for the team lead in steals. Sophomore Roberts Blums adds 9.6 points per game off the bench and is a threat from deep, hitting nearly 38% of his threes. Davidson’s depth is a strength, with four players averaging between 9 and 10.5 points per game, including redshirt freshman Nick Coval and redshirt junior Hunter Adam.
The Wildcats were picked to finish 11th in the A-10, but they’ve already outperformed expectations. Head coach Matt McKillop, now in his fourth season after taking the reins from his father, Bob, has guided this group to a strong start. International talent continues to be a hallmark of the program, with five players from outside the U.S., including contributors from Latvia, Spain, New Zealand, and England.
Kansas: Dominant at Home, Locked in for December
Kansas enters this one at 9-3, and there’s a lot to like about how the Jayhawks are trending. They’ve been dominant at Allen Fieldhouse, going 5-1 at home this season and boasting a staggering 335-22 home record under Bill Self.
Against unranked opponents in the building, KU is 273-9 since Self took over. Simply put: Allen Fieldhouse remains one of the toughest places to play in college basketball.
This is a program built on consistency. KU is the only team in Division I to post a record of 9-3 or better in each of the last 20 seasons. The Jayhawks have also made December their playground, going 121-19 in the month under Self and winning 29 of their last 33 December contests.
On the floor, sophomore Flory Bidunga continues to make his presence felt in the paint. He’s averaging 14.4 points per game and has recorded three or more blocks in six games this season. His ability to protect the rim and finish around the basket gives Kansas a reliable interior anchor.
Tre White has been as steady as they come, pulling down at least five rebounds in nine straight games while also contributing 14.2 points per game. Melvin Council Jr. brings a scoring punch from the perimeter and has hit three or more threes in eight career games. He’s finding his rhythm from deep again, shooting 50% or better from three in back-to-back games for the first time since last season.
Kansas has also tightened up on the glass. After struggling early in the season to crash the offensive boards, the Jayhawks have posted double-digit offensive rebounds in six of their last seven games. That’s a big reason why they’re 46-0 under Self when they pull down 40+ total rebounds and commit nine or fewer turnovers.
Series History: Familiar Foes, Memorable Moments
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between Kansas and Davidson, with KU holding a 2-1 edge. The most recent matchup came in 2016, when the Jayhawks handled the Wildcats 89-71 behind 18 points each from Josh Jackson and Frank Mason.
Of course, the most iconic clash came in the 2008 Elite Eight. That was the game where Kansas held off a red-hot Stephen Curry and Davidson, 59-57, to punch their ticket to the Final Four. Curry dropped 25 points, but KU’s defense-and a balanced attack led by Sasha Kaun and Mario Chalmers-sealed the win.
What to Watch Monday Night
This game is more than just a final non-conference tune-up-it’s a chance for Kansas to sharpen its identity heading into Big 12 play. Davidson won’t be intimidated, and their ability to shoot the three and move the ball could test KU’s perimeter defense.
For the Jayhawks, continuing to dominate the boards and take care of the ball will be key. If Bidunga can control the paint and Council continues to stretch defenses from outside, Kansas should be in a strong position to close out December on a high note.
Tipoff’s set for 7 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse. Expect the crowd to be loud, the pace to be fast, and both teams to get a good sense of where they stand heading into the heart of the season.