Report reveals intriguing Big East-Big 12 Battle matchups for 2023

UConn may have been crowned as national champions on Monday, ending the 2022-2023 season. But college basketball never sleeps, as all attention has been shifted to next year. Programs are putting together schedules for the upcoming winter, with the Big East and Big 12 announcing some exciting news on Wednesday.

According to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, the 2023 Big East-Big 12 Battle is set. There are a few intriguing matchups on the schedule, including the defending national champions heading to Allen Fieldhouse. Head coach Shaka Smart will also be seeing a familiar friend, reuniting with his old program just two seasons removed from being fired.

• UConn at Kansas
• Texas at Marquette
• Houston at Xavier
• Villanova at Kansas State
• St. John’s at West Virginia
• Creighton at Oklahoma State
• Providence at Oklahoma
• Iowa State at DePaul
• Texas Tech at Butler
• TCU at Georgetown
• Seton Hall at Baylor

UConn at Kansas headlines Big East-Big 12 Battle

Dan Hurley reached the pinnacle on Monday, earning UConn a fifth national championship. Many have since argued whether or not the program can be considered a blue blood after a solid 25-year run. Either way, there will be a ton of momentum carrying over into next season. The Huskies are already tabbed as the preseason No. 1 for 2023-2024.

Prior to them, Kansas held the title of reigning national champion. Head coach Bill Self got his second in Lawrence in a dream run alongside Ochai Agbaji and a talented roster. This season resulted in a Round of 32 exit without Self on the sideline. Medical problems kept him out to close out the year but Self confirmed he will return.

Now, the prior two NCAA Tournament winners will be meeting at Allen Fieldhouse. There have only been three prior meetings, with Kansas taking home a win each time. The 2015 Round of 32 was the last as Wayne Selden and Perry Ellis were both 20-point scorers for the Jayhawks.

Texas, Shaka Smart to reunite

While it won’t quite be a homecoming, Texas and Shaka Smart will once again share a basketball court this upcoming season. Just two seasons removed from leaving the program, Smart will play host to the Longhorns as Marquette’s headman.

Rodney Terry will be in the midst of his first season, with him and Smart being on the outside of the Chris Beard era. Fresh off an Elite Eight appearance, there will be a lot of excited folks in Austin. Adding this game to the schedule just adds on.

Marquette is expected to return most of their guys back as well, making for a fantastic on-the-court spectacle as well. However heading into the week, there will be plenty of storylines to discuss.