No. 14 Kansas (15-5, 5-2) is set to welcome No. 13 BYU (17-3, 5-2) to Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday, January 31, with the game scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.m. Central. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN. The day will kick off with ESPN College GameDay, which will take place from 10-11 a.m. Admission is free, with doors opening for Kansas students at 8:30 a.m. and for the general public at 8:45 a.m.
This matchup holds significance as Kansas celebrates its 1,000th men’s basketball game played in the historic Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks boast an impressive record of 877-122 in their home arena, including a remarkable 340-22 under the leadership of head coach Bill Self. The upcoming game is also the annual Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers contest, where Kansas coaches will wear lapel pins to raise awareness for the American Cancer Society and support cancer research.
Kansas enters this game on a high note, having secured their fourth consecutive victory with an 86-62 triumph over Kansas State in the Dillons Sunflower Showdown on January 24. In contrast, BYU comes off a close 86-83 loss to No. 1 Arizona on January 26. The historical series between the two programs shows Kansas leading 4-3, but BYU has claimed victory in their last two encounters since joining the Big 12.
Currently, Kansas ranks No. 15 in the NCAA NET rankings, with a challenging strength of schedule positioned at No. 6, the best in the Big 12. Kansas has shown dominance against AP Top 15 teams at home, going 32-7 since 2003-04.
Offensive performance has been marked by an average of 78.3 points per game and a solid scoring margin of +11.0. Kansas also excels in rebounding, collecting an average of 39.5 boards per game with a +4.1 rebound margin. The team’s defensive prowess is evident as well, leading the Big 12 in field goal percentage defense at 37.9%—ranking fifth nationally—and a three-point field goal percentage defense at 29.1%, which places them 14th nationally. Kansas also leads the Big 12 in blocked shots, averaging 6.2 per game, which is second nationally, trailing only Georgia.
Freshman guard Arterio Morris, recognized as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week on January 19, stands out as the leading scorer for the Jayhawks, averaging 21.6 points and having hit 29 three-pointers in just 10 games. Senior guard Kevin McCullar has also stepped up, posting his fifth double-double of the season with 17 points and a career-high 15 rebounds against Colorado. Additionally, sophomore center Flory Bidunga has been a key contributor, boasting a remarkable shooting percentage and leading the team with 9.0 rebounds.
Looking ahead, Kansas will compete next on February 1 against Texas Tech in their first of three ESPN Big Mondays, continuing their storied tradition in the conference. The Jayhawks hold an impressive record of 82-25 in Big 12 matchups aired on ESPN, showcasing their consistent success across seasons. With the upcoming clash against BYU, anticipation builds for a thrilling display of collegiate basketball.