Kansas' full schedule is finally here and Bill Self has almost nowhere to hide

Bill Self apparently doesn't believe in easing into a college basketball season. Kansas' complete 2026-27 schedule was finalized Thursday when the Big 12 released the dates for its conference slate.

The result is intimidating.

The Jayhawks will play Kentucky, UConn, Ohio State, Missouri and Villanova before Big 12 play even begins.

That's after exhibition games against Louisville and Duke.

Yes, Duke.

In an exhibition.

Kansas officially announced the completed schedule Thursday:

The Jayhawks open Big 12 play Jan. 2 at Allen Fieldhouse against West Virginia.

From there, the schedule becomes even less forgiving.

Kansas will visit BYU, Kansas State, Houston, Iowa State, Arizona and Baylor during conference play.

The Jayhawks will host Texas Tech, Iowa State, Kansas State and Baylor, among others.

There isn't much room for an extended slump.

Kansas' Nonconference Schedule Is Almost Ridiculous

The Jayhawks will see several national brands before January. Kansas faces Kentucky in the Champions Classic on Nov. 10 in Chicago.

A week later, Self's team heads to Las Vegas for the Players Era event.

Villanova visits Allen Fieldhouse on Nov. 27.

Kansas plays Missouri in Kansas City on Dec. 6.

Then comes a trip to UConn on Dec. 12.

One week later, Kansas faces Ohio State at Madison Square Garden in the CBS Sports Classic.

That's without counting the October exhibition games against Louisville and Duke.

For a program coming off a 24-11 season and another NCAA Tournament appearance, the schedule offers almost no opportunity to hide flaws.

It also provides enormous résumé upside.

If Kansas is as good as Self expects, the Jayhawks could arrive in January with one of the strongest nonconference résumés in the country.

Then comes the Big 12.

One Kansas Streak Will Be On The Line In March

There was another remarkable nugget buried in Thursday's schedule release. Kansas will host Iowa State on March 1 for Senior Night.

The Jayhawks have won 43 consecutive home finales dating back to the 1983-84 season.

Forty-three.

Iowa State will get the next opportunity to end it.

That game will also air on ESPN's Big Monday, where Kansas has been almost impossible to beat at Allen Fieldhouse.

The Jayhawks are 52-1 at home in ESPN Big Monday games and 41-0 under Self.

Before anyone starts thinking about March, however, Kansas has to navigate everything that comes first.

Kentucky.

Duke.

UConn.

Missouri.

Ohio State.

Houston.

Arizona.

Iowa State.

Kansas State.

The Jayhawks' schedule doesn't guarantee they'll be prepared for March.

It does guarantee they won't reach March without being tested.

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