Kansas schedules game with Wichita State in Kansas City

Kansas and Wichita State will face off on the hardwood for their first regular season game in more than three decades this upcoming season. A non-conference bout between the two teams is slated for Dec. 30, 2023, at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Both programs played each other somewhat regularly through the 1980s and early 1990s, but the series fell off after 1993. The last time the two teams met was a 2015 NCAA Tournament game, where No. 2 seed Kansas fell to No. 7 seed Wichita State.

“We always enjoy playing in Kansas City at the T-Mobile Center and look forward to facing Wichita State,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said in a release announcing the game. “Paul Mills did a great job rebuilding Oral Roberts and is no stranger to our program from his time as an assistant at Baylor. This will be a great opportunity for fans in the Kansas City area to watch our team over the holidays and it will be a great game for us preparing for Big 12 play.”

The non-conference, neutral site matchup between Kansas and Wichita State has been set up by the Kansas City Sports Commission.

“Creating unique sporting experiences for the Kansas City region is an integral part of our mission,” commissioner president Kathy Nelson said in the release. “Bringing these two teams together at the world-class T-Mobile Center creates a compelling basketball event not just for KU and WSU fans, but fans of the sport itself.”

Kansas will have some games further afield than Kansas City

The Big 12 Conference made an exciting announcement in early June, revealing the launch of Big 12 Mexico, the Conference’s first international extension.

Big 12 Mexico will hold sporting events in Mexico and include men’s and women’s basketball and soccer along with baseball games, and their first contest will be a men’s and women’s basketball matchup between Kansas and Houston at Arena CDMX in Mexico City scheduled for December of 2024. 

“Mexico is a natural extension to the Big 12 footprint, and I’m thrilled to introduce Big 12 Mexico as the Conference’s first-ever international presence,” said commissioner Brett Yormark. “Through Big 12 Mexico, our student-athletes will have the opportunity to compete in an international setting, and our Conference will have the chance to showcase our brand across Mexico.”

ESPN and FOX Sports will aid the Big 12 leading up to their launch, sending the Big 12 product across Mexico and Spanish-speaking communities by airing select Big 12 football and basketball games on their Mexican and Spanish-speaking networks. The conference is also exploring possibly airing Spanish radio broadcasts for the next Big 12 Football and Basketball Championship games for the very first time.