The CBS Sports Classic is adding another blue blood to its showcase event.
CBS Sports announced on Wednesday, Jan. 28 that No. 14 Kansas has been added to its annual men’s college basketball showcase that features Ohio State, North Carolina and Kentucky. The Jayhawks will face the Buckeyes on Saturday, Dec. 19 at Madison Square Garden in the 2026-27 season, with the other matchup including the Tar Heels vs. the Wildcats.
The Jayhawks replace St. John’s in the field after the Red Storm and Rick Pitino replaced UCLA and Mick Cronin in the 2025 CBS Sports Classic. Kansas announced the news itself shortly after CBS Sports’ release.
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The doubleheader event will rotate matchups and venue sites each season, with matchups set through the 2029-2030 season.
Under Self, the Jayhawks further their status as one of men’s college basketball’s biggest blue bloods. The Jayhawks rank second for the most wins among Division I men’s college basketball programs, and rank seventh for the most national championship titles since 1939, the first of the NCAA Tournament, at seven.
Since its start in 2014, the CBS Sports Classic has served as one of the marquee non-conference showcases in college basketball each season. With Kansas’ addition to the field, the CBS Sports Classic now has two teams that also compete in the annual Champions Classic, with the other being Kentucky.
Kansas is 15-5 overall and 5-2 in Big 12 play this season despite missing star freshman guard Darryn Peterson for a handful of games due to different injuries. Peterson is expected to be available for the Jayhawks next Big 12 game on Saturday, Jan. 31 against BYU, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.
Future CBS Sports Classic matchups
Here’s a breakdown of upcoming CBS Sports Classic matchups through the 2029 season:
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2026 (Dec. 19 at Madison Square Garden, New York)
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North Carolina vs. Kentucky
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2027 (Dec. 18)
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Kansas vs. North Carolina
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2028 (Dec. 16)
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North Carolina vs. Ohio State
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2029 (Dec. 15)
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Kentucky vs. North Carolina
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