Michigan State, Ohio State on KU Non-Conference Schedule

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Matchups against Big Ten powerhouses Michigan State and Ohio State highlight the University of Kansas men’s basketball team’s 2012-13 non-conference schedule.

The Jayhawks will also be taking on former Big 12 rival Colorado, along with Washington State, Oregon State, St. Louis, American and Temple in non-conference action.

“I think it is going to be a really good RPI (Rating Percentage Index) schedule,” KU head coach Bill Self said in a statement. “I don’t think there are as many traditional names on it as we have had the last couple of years. Ohio State and Michigan State will be two of the best teams in the country. Then you throw in the Temples and the Colorados, the Washington States, Oregon States, Richmonds, Belmonts, American; there are some good teams in there that will have really good RPIs that should probably help our RPI.”

Kansas will play defending Big Ten regular-season co-champ Michigan State Nov. 13 in the Georgia Dome in the second annual Champions Classic doubleheader. Duke faces Kentucky in the other game of the event.

On Dec. 22 the Jayhawks will travel to Ohio State for the teams’ third meeting in the last 12 months. The Buckeyes tied Michigan State and Michigan for the 2012 Big Ten regular-season title. KU knocked off then- No. 2 OSU in Allen Fieldhouse last Dec. 10, and then beat the Buckeyes again in the 2012 NCAA Final Four in New Orleans.

Kansas will open the season with home exhibition games against Emporia State (Oct. 30) and Washburn (Nov. 5). The Big 12 Conference will release the conference schedule later this month.

2012-13 Kansas Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Date (Day), Opponent, Site (notes)
October 30 (Tuesday) – Emporia State, Lawrence, Kan. (Exhibition)
November 5 (Monday) – Washburn, Lawrence, Kan. (Exhibition)
November 9 (Friday) – Southeast Missouri State, Lawrence, Kan.  (CBE)
November 13 (Tuesday) – Michigan State, Atlanta, Ga. (Champions Classic)
November 16 (Friday) – UT Chattanooga, Lawrence, Kan. (CBE)
November 19 (Monday) – Washington State, Kansas City, Mo. (Sprint Center – CBE)
November 20 (Tuesday) – Saint Louis/Texas A&M, Kansas City, Mo. (Sprint Center – CBE)
November 26 (Monday) – San Jose State, Lawrence, Kan.
November 30 (Friday) – Oregon State, Kansas City, Mo. (Sprint Center)
December 8 (Saturday) – Colorado, Lawrence, Kan.
December 15 (Saturday) – Belmont, Lawrence, Kan.
December 18 (Tuesday) – Richmond, Lawrence, Kan.
December 22 (Saturday) – at Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio
December 29 (Saturday) – American University, Lawrence, Kan.
January 6 (Sunday) – Temple, Lawrence, Kan.