KANSAS

Kansas vs. Duke Tabbed as Nonconference Matchup to Watch by ESPN

Two of college basketball's premier programs will battle it out this November in a contest that will feature a pair of highly-touted freshman.
Jackson Langendorf|
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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Kansas JayhawksDuke Blue Devils

After faltering through Big 12 play, and finishing the regular season with a (by Kansas’ standard) subpar 21-12 record, the Jayhawks still earned a seven seed in the NCAA Tournament, in large part thanks to an early-season win over Duke. 

The Blue Devils – who were a one seed in the Big Dance – had suffered just three losses during the regular season and were ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll heading into March Madness. Without Kansas’ win over Duke, the Jayhawks likely would’ve been sweating it out for an at-large bid.

Hopefully, during the 2025-26 campaign, if all things go to plan, Kansas won’t need a Duke win to get into the NCAA Tournament, instead the Jayhawks will simply want one to pad their resume. 

Either way, this year’s November 18th matchup between the pair of blueblood programs figures to hold weight months later in March, but it also serves as a showdown between each squad’s premier freshman in Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson – who were McDonald’s All-American Co-MVPs this April.

Naturally, all of that adds up to Kansas vs. Duke being must-see TV. In a recent ESPN article, the sports media giant picked “10 nonconference matchups to watch”, and, unsurprisingly, the Kansas-Duke showdown landed on the list. Other notable nonconference matchups for Kansas include Missouri, North Carolina, UConn, and NC State.

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Jackson Langendorf
JACKSON LANGENDORF

Primarily covers Illinois football and basketball, and Kansas basketball, with an emphasis on analysis, features and recruiting. Langendorf, a third-generation University of Illinois alum, has been watching Illini basketball and football for as long as he can remember. An advertising student and journalism devotee, he has been writing for On SI since October 2024. He can be followed and reached on X @jglangendorf.

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