Another season of college basketball means it’s time for another early rendition of the Champions Classic. This year, four fantastic programs find their way to Chicago, with this particular matchup seeing two Blue Blood programs both trying to make a statement just over a week into the new season.
There’s a new feel at Kansas (2-0) with a plethora of young talent and a few veteran pieces from the transfer portal. Bill Self has done a great job keeping this program relevant, though the Jayhawks are hoping to make a big statement this season after a few disappointing years in a suddenly tougher and deeper Big 12.
You could argue that Kentucky (2-0) feels a similar vibe this season. Mark Pope and this coaching staff missed on several of their transfer targets in the offseason and desperately want to cling to the top of an ever-changing SEC race. Kentucky did nab Milan Momcilovic and a few other pieces and this showdown in Chicago gives them an early litmus test on where they stand.
Kansas vs. Kentucky: When and Where
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2026, 9:30 pm ET
Location: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
Kansas vs. Kentucky: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: ESPN
Streaming: FuboTV
Kansas vs. Kentucky: Betting Odds
Spread: Kansas -5.5, Kentucky +5.5
Moneyline: N/A, Kentucky +225, Kansas -278
Total: 148.5
Kansas vs. Kentucky: Series History
All-time series: Kentucky leads 24-12
Last meeting: Kansas 89, Kentucky 84 (November 14, 2023)
Projected Starting Lineups
Kansas Jayhawks
Trey Kaufman-Renn (13.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
Melvin Council Jr. (8.0 ppg, 5.0 apg)
Taylen Kinney (4.0 ppg, 2.0 apg)
Tyran Stokes (11.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
Tre White (15.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
Kentucky Wildcats
Ousmane N’Diaye (3.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
Milan Momcilovic (15.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Malachi Moreno (8.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg)
Alex Wilkins (13.5 ppg, 3.0 apg)
Zoom Diallo (14.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, both Kansas and Kentucky did great work in two opening games, with both coasting to wins over mid-major programs. Kaufman-Renn has become a major factor for the Jayhawks and how he handles the bigs of Kentucky will tell us a lot about how this game will go for both teams. The Wildcats clearly are hoping that Momcilovic’s shooting gives them an edge, though let’s not ignore what top recruit Stokes has already done in his first few outings with the Jayhawks. It’ll be interesting to see which offense has more success in and around the rim and which defense is ready for the bright lights.
Does Kansas and their new talent get the job done and start their season with a major victory on their resume? Can Kentucky prove that they can be one of those elite teams in the SEC with the talent on this roster?
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