Kansas and Villanova agree to biennial basketball series starting 2026
University of Kansas confirms home-and-home fixture with Villanova, citing Big 12 preparation amid roster transitions.
The University of Kansas has officially confirmed a home-and-home basketball series against Villanova, commencing with the 2026-27 season. The announcement, released on Wednesday, establishes a recurring fixture between the two programmes that last met during the 2022 Final Four.
Under the agreed schedule, Kansas will host the opening match at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence on 27 November 2026. The return fixture is set for November 2027 at Villanova, although a specific date for the second meeting has yet to be determined.
Kansas head coach Bill Self indicated that the series is intended to serve as strategic preparation for Big 12 Conference play. Self noted that the matchups would provide valuable experience for the squad, particularly as the team navigates a transition period with a largely new roster.
The Jayhawks enter the upcoming season with significant personnel changes, headlined by Tyran Stokes, who was ranked as the No. 1 high school recruit in the class of 2026 by 247Sports. Kansas finished the previous season with a 24-11 record, reaching the Big 12 tournament semifinals and the NCAA tournament round of 32. The programme is now seeking to return to the second weekend of the NCAA tournament for the first time since their 2022 national championship run.
Villanova also faces a leadership transition, having appointed Kevin Willard as head coach. Willard, who previously coached at Maryland, led the Wildcats to the round of 64 in his first season. The two teams are historically tied at 5-5 in their all-time series, with the last encounter resulting in a Kansas victory en route to the national title.
