Kentucky vs. Kansas: A history of the last decade

Over the last 10 seasons, the most common blue blood matchup for Kentucky has been against the Kansas Jayhawks.

Since the start of the 2011-2012 season, the Wildcats have played KU eight times with Saturday’s matchup being the ninth. With both participating in the Champions Classic and the SEC-Big 12 Challenge, it’s become fairly common for their paths to cross. Let’s look at their recent head-to-head history as we move on to the next chapter.

2012 National Championship

This one needs little reminder for those in Big Blue Nation. After beating the Jayhawks earlier that season in the Champion’s Classic, they matched up again for the title game in New Orleans. Kentucky capped off their dominant 2011-2012 campaign with a 67-59 win in The Big Easy.

Doron Lamb scored 22 while Anthony Davis grabbed 16 boards and blocked six shots on an off-shooting night. UK won the eighth title in school history and John Calipari won the first in his career.

UK leads series 2-0

2014 Champions Classic

After playing Kentucky’s last title team, Kansas didn’t catch a break as they played the 38-1 Wildcats the next time the two squads met. This was the coming-out party for that Kentucky team as they blew out the Jayhawks 72-40 in Indianapolis.

The offense was by committee as Dakari Johnson led the way with 11 points. On defense, the Wildcats blocked 11 shots and held Kansas to 11-56 shooting for the night. The 2014 Wildcats came up two games short of a perfect season, but this game was a preview of what was to come during that special season.

UK leads series 3-0

2016 SEC-Big 12 Challenge

In what was the first game at Allen Fieldhouse since 2006, the Wildcats had an opportunity to upset a highly ranked Kansas team. Kentucky’s second-half lead evaporated, though, as Wayne Selden Jr. helped send the game to OT where the Jayhawks would pull away and win 90-84.

Selden finished with 33 points, including a three to tie it late in the second half and a massive slam over Skal Labissiere in overtime. Tyler Ulis put up a heroic effort with 26 points and eight assists as he played all 45 minutes, but it wasn’t enough in the end.

UK leads series 3-1

2017 SEC-Big 12 Challenge

A season later, the two met again, but this time in the Jayhawks’ first trip to Lexington since 2005. It was a highly-anticipated, top-5 matchup between experience and youth.

Star freshmen De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, and Bam Adebayo helped Kentucky get out to an early lead in the first half. In the second half, Kansas went zone and their experience shined through with defense and a ton of second-chance points. Frank Mason scored 21 while Kansas’ freshman Josh Jackson went for 21 points and 10 rebounds on the road. Derek Willis scored 18 with five threes, but the Kansas defense stifled the Wildcats enough for them to pull away in Rupp Arena and win 79-73.

UK leads series 3-2

2017 Champions Classic

In the third matchup over the span of a year and a half, a young Kentucky team went up against an experienced Kansas squad again to open the season. Of all the recent matchups, you really felt the youth of the Wildcats the most in this one as they played an almost entirely freshman lineup. Kevin Knox scored 20, but Kansas had four veterans in double figures with Svi Mykhailiuk, Udoka Azubuike, Malik Newman and Devonte’ Graham. UK kept it close, but Kansas snuck it out with a 65-61 win.

Series tied 3-3

2019 SEC-Big 12 Challenge

After three straight losses, Kentucky got back on the board in Kansas’ next trip to Lexington. This game featured an absolute battle in the frontcourt.

Dedric Lawson had an impressive 20 points and 15 rebounds, but he didn’t get much help from anyone else. Meanwhile, PJ Washington and Reid Travis combined for 38 points and 25 rebounds. Add in UK’s third double-double with Keldon Johnson putting up 15 and 10, and the Wildcats pulled away down the stretch for a 71-63 win.

UK leads series 4-3

2020 Champions Classic

This one stung. During a forgettable season following a home loss to Richmond, Kentucky had an opportunity to knock off Kansas in Indianapolis. The Wildcats led by as much as 13 with the help of an insane Isaiah Jackson line of seven points, 12 rebounds and a series-record eight blocks.

In a game where no one could score, Kansas fought back, led by 23 and 10 from Jalen Wilson. Davion Mintz missed a tying three with seconds to go and Kansas completed the comeback through a 65-62 victory. It wouldn’t have fixed the problems to come that season, but it makes you wonder what it would have done for morale had the Wildcats finished this one off.

If you’re keeping track at home, the series is tied at 4-4 since 2011-12, with Kansas winning four of the last five. Although Kentucky has the title win and the most dominant performance during that stretch, Bill Self and his teams have proven to be tricky for Calipari teams of late.

With injuries being a factor heading into their primetime game tomorrow night, Kentucky will try to hold onto their lead in all-time college basketball wins while also winning in Allen Fieldhouse for the first time since 1983.

All numbers and records via BigBlueHistory.net