The No. 21 ranked Kansas Jayhawks will host the No. 5 ranked UConn Huskies on Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse, with both teams eager to secure a victory. This matchup marks a significant encounter in college basketball, as it is the third face-off between these storied programs since March 2016 and the fifth overall since they first met in January 1995.
The history between Kansas and UConn began with a unique double-header at Kemper Arena, featuring both men’s and women’s teams. In that inaugural meeting, the UConn women, led by Hall of Fame coach Geno Auriemma, triumphed over Kansas. However, the men’s team, then ranked No. 7, responded emphatically by defeating the No. 2 ranked Huskies 88-59. They met again in January 1997, with the top-ranked Jayhawks overcoming the Huskies 73-65, thanks to notable performances from Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz.
A significant recent encounter occurred in March 2016, when Kansas defeated UConn 73-61 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Sweet 16. The two teams clashed again in December 2023, with the Jayhawks securing a 69-65 victory against the reigning national champions, aided by a stellar 21-point performance from Kevin McCullar Jr..
As the teams prepare for their next meeting, the Jayhawks aim to maintain their unbeaten record against the Huskies, holding a 4-0 advantage in their recent matchups. Kansas enters the game with a record of 6-2, having suffered losses to North Carolina and Duke. In the absence of Darryn Peterson, sophomore center Flory Bidunga has stepped up as the leading scorer, averaging 15.8 points per game. Senior guard Tre White closely follows with an average of 14.4 points per game.
On the opposite side, UConn comes into this game with a 6-1 record, which includes victories over ranked opponents No. 7 BYU and No. 13 Illinois. Their only setback this season was against No. 4 Arizona nearly two weeks ago. The Huskies’ offense is bolstered by a group of upperclassmen, with senior center Tarris Reed Jr. leading the way at 15.5 points per game. Junior guard Solo Ball contributes 14.3 points per game, while senior preseason All-American forward Alex Karaban adds 14.0 points per game, and junior Silas Demary Jr. contributes 12.0 points per game.
The game promises to be an exciting encounter, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. CT. Fans can watch the action live on ESPN, as both teams look to solidify their standings in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
