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Two of college basketball's most storied programs, Kansas and Kentucky, are set to renew their rivalry on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in the 2026 Champions Classic at Chicago's United Center. The Wildcats own a 24-12 advantage in the all-time series, but the Jayhawks have dominated recent meetings, winning five of the last seven, including three of the past four.
Kentucky, the all-time wins leader with 2,446 victories, and Kansas, close behind with 2,440, have faced off seven times in the last decade despite competing in different conferences. Their most recent encounter came in the 2023 Champions Classic, also at the United Center, where Kansas, ranked No. 1, defeated No. 17 Kentucky 89-84 on Nov. 14, 2023.
In that game, forward Hunter Dickinson powered the Jayhawks with 27 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, while point guard Dajuan Harris added a career-best 23 points, including five 3-pointers. Harris scored eight straight points late to erase a four-point deficit. Kevin McCullar posted the fourth official triple-double in Kansas history and the second in Champions Classic history with 12 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. KJ Adams contributed 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting, and freshman Jamari McDowell sealed the win with two free throws in the final seconds. Kentucky's Antonio Reeves scored 24 points but struggled from the field, making just 7 of 25 shots. Adou Thiero added 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Rob Dillingham scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half before fouling out.
Kentucky fans in attendance, still stung by Dickinson's decision to transfer to Kansas over the Wildcats, booed him throughout the game. Kansas closed on an 11-1 run to secure the victory. The Jayhawks' win was their first in Chicago since defeating Miami 76-50 in the 2022 Midwest Regional final at the United Center.
This year's matchup features a new coaching dynamic: Kansas's Bill Self will face Kentucky's Mark Pope, who took over the Wildcats after John Calipari's departure. Pope, formerly the head coach at BYU, has faced Self twice, splitting the two meetings.
Self vs. Pope: The BYU Years
On Feb. 27, 2024, Pope's BYU squad stunned Kansas 76-68 at Allen Fieldhouse, snapping the Jayhawks' 19-game home winning streak. The Cougars made 13 of 34 3-pointers compared to Kansas's 3 of 15, and they converted 19 of 24 free throws while the Jayhawks went 19 of 31. Dickinson struggled at the line, making just 6 of 15. BYU closed the game on a 10-2 run after it was tied at 66 with 2:28 remaining. Dallin Hall and Jaxson Robinson combined for 36 points and seven 3-pointers. Self called Kansas's performance "pitiful," while Pope described the win as "really, really, really special." Pope later praised Allen Fieldhouse, calling it "one of the iconic arenas in the world" and "a birthplace of basketball."
In their first meeting on Nov. 26, 2019, at the Maui Invitational semifinals, Kansas defeated BYU 71-56. The Jayhawks dominated the paint, outscoring the Cougars 42-18, and forced 20 turnovers while holding BYU to 40.7% shooting. David McCormack and Udoka Azubuike combined for 27 points and 15 rebounds. Azubuike's first-half steal and dunk sparked Kansas. Ochai Agbaji scored 14 points, and Devon Dotson added 13 points and eight assists. Self praised his team's defense, saying, "We didn't guard one time like that last year." Kansas went on to win the Maui Invitational title.
As the Jayhawks and Wildcats prepare for their latest clash, the spotlight will be on Self and Pope as they write the next chapter of this historic rivalry.
Originally reported by kansas.