LAWRENCE — ESPN’s renowned “College GameDay” is set to take center stage at Allen Fieldhouse on January 31, coinciding with the highly anticipated matchup between Kansas and BYU in men’s basketball.
This event will highlight two of the standout teams from the Big 12 Conference this season. Currently positioned at No. 19, Kansas boasts a record of 14-5 and 4-2 in conference play, featuring emerging star Darryn Peterson, a freshman projected as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Meanwhile, No. 13 BYU, holding a record of 16-2 and 4-1 in the Big 12, showcases another top prospect in freshman AJ Dybantsa. The broadcast will be hosted by Rece Davis and feature a panel of experts including Jay Bilas, Jay Williams, Andraya Carter, and Seth Greenberg.
This broadcast marks the 13th occasion that “College GameDay” has aired from the iconic Allen Fieldhouse, which Rece Davis has famously referred to as “the best place to see a game on the planet.” This ties Kansas with North Carolina for the second-most appearances, trailing only Duke, which has hosted the show 14 times. Notably, Kansas has an impressive 10-2 record when hosting the show, outperforming other leading programs like Syracuse, Texas, and Tennessee.
As the Jayhawks prepare for the January 31 clash against BYU, they will be riding the momentum of a three-game winning streak in Big 12 play, having secured victories over ranked opponents, including now-No. 9 Iowa State, Baylor, and Colorado. However, the team’s hopes for a strong performance may be complicated by an ankle injury affecting Peterson’s availability ahead of their January 24 showdown against Kansas State.
Coach Bill Self’s lineup will feature seasoned players such as Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White, alongside sophomore Flory Bidunga, who adds significant strength inside. Kansas has claimed victory in all but one home game this season, with their only loss coming against the current No. 3 ranked team, UConn.
The excitement surrounding this upcoming “College GameDay” event underscores the thrilling atmosphere of college basketball and the intense competition within the Big 12 Conference. Fans and analysts alike eagerly await the showdown, as both teams aim to further solidify their standings as they head toward postseason play.