Missouri upset top-ranked Kansas a year ago. With both teams coming off disappointing losses earlier in the week, will the Tigers win two in a row for the first time in 20 years? Or will the Jayhawks notch another win in the series?
Missouri looks to bounce back following its first loss of the season
Missouri enters this matchup 8-1 following a frustrating second half at Notre Dame, which led to the Tigers' first loss of the season, 76-71. Despite the shaky offensive performance on Tuesday, Missouri has been one of the better scoring teams this season - averaging more than 90 points per game - putting up at least 83 points in all eight wins. As expected, Mark Mitchell (18.1 ppg) has been the main driving force behind this year's offense, with four games of 22 plus points this season. Jacob Crews has progressed to be the team's second leading scorer at 14.1 ppg, hitting 49 percent from deep, in his second season playing for Dennis Gates.
Kansas is still a Big 12 contender
Even with a 6-3 record entering this rivalry game, Kansas is still one of the top teams in the Big 12. The Jayhawks have a couple of solid wins already this season, but haven’t been able to finish games against ranked opponents. The most recent game, a 61-56 loss to Conn, was an offensive performance that Bill Self and the Jayhawks would like to soon forget. Luckily for Self, star freshman Darryn Peterson (21.5 ppg in two games) looks to be good to go for the first time since early November, which could make a world of difference for this offense.
Missouri vs Kansas: When and where
Date: Sunday, December 07, 2025, 1:00 pm ET
Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Missouri vs Kansas: Where to watch or stream
Watch: ESPN2
Streaming: FUBOTV
Missouri vs Kansas: Series History
All time series: Kansas leads 175-96
Last meeting: Missouri 76, Kansas 67 (December 08, 2024)
Projected Starting Lineups:
Missouri Tigers
Anthony Robinson Jr (10.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
Sebastian Mack (9.7 ppg)
Mark Mitchell (18.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Jevon Porter (7.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
Shawn Phillips Jr (9.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
Kansas Jayhawks
Darryn Peterson (21.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
Melvin Council Jr (10.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg)
Tre White (13.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg)
Bryson Tiller (8.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Flory Bidunga (15.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg)
What to expect in Kansas City
Both of these programs want to avoid their first losing streaks of the season. Kansas has muddled its way through the season so far without its best player, though Darryn Peterson looks to be on track to play against the Tigers. A healthy Peterson could easily put this game out of reach. Missouri has played one of the weakest non-conference schedules this season, so Kansas will easily be the best team the Tigers have faced.
Kansas’s underperforming offense and Missouri’s inconsistent defense are something to watch. The Tigers' chaotic style of defending often leads to wide-open threes, and even though Kansas hasn’t been a great three-point shooting team, it could cost Missouri the game. And as mentioned before, the possibility of having Darryn Peterson back on the court could open up the offense in ways that Missouri isn’t prepared for. Kansas has been great defensively, though if the Jayhawks are forced to run with the Tigers, the game might be much closer than anticipated.
Missouri’s been one of the most efficient scoring teams this season from nearly everywhere on the court - making 63.9 percent from two and 37.9 percent from three. Kansas has been good at defending the interior, but if Mark Mitchell is locked in, he could put up some good numbers against Kansas. Luckily for the Tigers, many of the players on the roster were a part of last year's upset win, which could provide a little added motivation.
The rivalry between Missouri and Kansas, as states, goes all the way back to the Civil War. Though not nearly as long, the hardwood rivalry dates back to 1907 and is, quite possibly, almost as contentious. Even though this is the 13th most-played college basketball matchup, it leans heavily in Kansas’s favor. And it looks like the Jayhawks are poised to pick up another win in the series, but regardless of the outcome, it should be a fun game to watch.