The Kansas Jayhawks will attempt to maintain their unbeaten record against the UConn Huskies in a highly anticipated college basketball matchup on March 5, 2024. The game, taking place at Allen Fieldhouse, marks the fifth meeting between these storied programs since their rivalry began in January 1995. Currently, Kansas holds a 4-0 advantage in their recent encounters, which includes a victory earlier this season.
The Jayhawks, ranked No. 21, have a rich history with UConn, having first clashed in a notable double-header at Kemper Arena in Kansas City. This inaugural match showcased both the men’s and women’s teams from each institution. The UConn women’s team, coached by Hall of Famer Geno Auriemma, secured a win in that matchup, but the Kansas men’s team responded with a decisive 88-59 victory over the then No. 2 ranked Huskies.
The rivalry continued with a significant matchup in January 1997, when the top-ranked Jayhawks triumphed 73-65 in Hartford, with contributions from Kansas legends Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz. Their most recent encounters include a pivotal NCAA Tournament game in March 2016, where Kansas defeated UConn 73-61 to advance to the Sweet 16, and a close contest in December 2023, where Kansas edged out the reigning national champions 69-65, led by a standout performance from guard Kevin McCullar Jr..
As Kansas prepares to face UConn again, the Jayhawks will rely on their leading scorer, sophomore center Flory Bidunga, who has averaged 15.8 points per game in recent weeks. Senior guard Tre White closely follows with an average of 14.4 points per game. Kansas enters the game with a record of 6-2, with their losses coming from top-tier opponents, North Carolina and Duke.
UConn, currently ranked No. 5, boasts a 6-1 record, including victories over No. 7 BYU and No. 13 Illinois. Their only defeat came against No. 4 Arizona nearly two weeks ago. The Huskies are led by a strong lineup of upperclassmen, including senior center Tarris Reed Jr., who averages 15.5 points per game, junior guard Solo Ball at 14.3 points, senior preseason All-American forward Alex Karaban averaging 14.0 points, and junior Silas Demary Jr. contributing 12.0 points.
The matchup is set to tip off at 20:00 CT and will be broadcast live on ESPN. With both teams aiming for victory, fans can expect an electric atmosphere as two college basketball powerhouses clash once again.
