Kansas and Villanova to renew basketball rivalry in 2026 season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The University of Kansas men’s basketball team will renew its rivalry with Villanova University in a home-and-home series beginning during the 2026-27 season.

The first matchup is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 27, at Allen Fieldhouse. The return game will take place at Villanova in November 2027.

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“We’ve had a lot of great games against Villanova, including some on the biggest stage,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said in a news release.

“These games will be great to prepare our guys for Big 12 play, and they will be exciting for our fans.”

Kansas and Villanova are among just nine programs in NCAA history to win at least three men’s basketball national championships. Combined, the two schools have won seven national titles.

The all-time series between the Jayhawks and Wildcats is tied 5-5 in a rivalry that dates back to 1968. The programs have met 10 times overall, including four NCAA Tournament matchups and two Final Four meetings in 2018 and 2022.

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Kansas defeated Villanova during each of its last two national championship runs.

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The Jayhawks earned a 72-57 Sweet 16 victory over Villanova in 2008 on their way to the national title, then defeated the Wildcats 81-65 in the 2022 Final Four before capturing another championship.

Kansas and Villanova last met on April 2, 2022, in New Orleans, where the Jayhawks defeated the Wildcats in the Final Four en route to the program’s most recent NCAA championship.

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kansas-villanova-renew-basketball-rivalry-171045470.html

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Publish date : 2026-05-20 17:10:00

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