Report: Return date of Kansas-NC State home-and-home series set for Dec. 13 in Raleigh

Just days after the NCAA Tournament’s end, teams are already working on their 2025-2026 schedules. Kansas and NC State are no different. The two have reportedly set a date for the back end of a home-and-home series between them.

According to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, NC State will host Kansas in Raleigh on Dec. 13. This comes after the Wolfpack traveled to Lawrence this past season. Bill Self‘s squad will return the favor in what will be one of the more anticipation nonconference showdowns.

“Sources: NC State will host Kansas on December 13th in Raleigh,” Rothstein said via X. “Return game of home-and-home series.”

The series between Kansas and NC State came together after the latter made a Final Four run. Allen Fieldhouse welcomed the ACC member on Dec. 14 of last year. It’s one the Jayhawks wound up enjoying a little more. Zeke Mayo emerged as the big storyline, dropping 26 points while making five three-point attempts.

A little extra spice will be in the return leg, though. NC State just underwent a coaching change, as Kevin Ketts is no longer there. Will Wade is now in charge of the program, returning to power conference college basketball after some time off and two seasons at McNeese State.

Usually, coaching matchups are what bring eyes to college basketball. So Wade facing off against Self adds to the intrigue a little more than last year’s contest. Especially since both teams are projected to have good squads entering the season.

On3’s James Fletcher put out his way-too-early top 25 rankings after Florida‘s national championship win over Houston. Kansas debuts inside the top 10 at No. 9 and third among Big 12 teams.

“Kansas loses almost every bit of production from last year’s roster, including some promising young players,” Fletcher said. “However, Bill Self starts in good positions regardless with a talented group of young players and some transfer activity already done.”

NC State is not featured as Wade still has some roster building to do. As of Wednesday, the Wolfpack has secured two commitments out of the NCAA transfer portal: Alyn Breed and Quadir Copeland. Both played for Wade last season at McNeese State.

Some more additions are bound to come their way. Excitement around NC State is real with Wade taking over, fresh off an NCAA Tournament win. Finding a way to take down Kansas in Year 1 would only add to the expectation levels in Raleigh.