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Kansas Jayhawks: Kentucky To Allen Fieldhouse Could Happen

By Mike Norris

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Is It Possible The Kansas Jayhawks Might Host The Kentucky Wildcats At Allen Fieldhouse Next Season

Mark it down right now: The Kentucky Wildcats will come to Lawrence next year to play the Kansas Jayhawks.

It hasn’t been officially scheduled, but if you think the higher-ups who put together the Big12/SEC Challenge aren’t going to make it happen, this might be your first rodeo.

Kansas released its non-conference schedule this week, and there are some intriguing match-ups. One glaring difference than the past two years is the Jayhawks aren’t playing the toughest schedule seen in the past decade.

There are some challenges. Michigan State (Nov. 17 in the Champions Classic in Chicago) is never easy, and don’t think Harvard (Dec. 5 in Lawrence) is going to be a cakewalk. Rumor is they play smart basketball.

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At San Diego State (Dec. 22) could easily be a loss.

The Maui Invitational (Nov. 23-25) field includes 2014 NCAA Tournament teams Indiana, UCLA, and St. John’s, as well as an improving UNLV Squad.

But, the game every Jayhawk fan should have highlighted on their smart phone digital calendar will take place Jan. 30 in storied Allen Fieldhouse.

Unless the schedule-makers for that game are twisted and evil and choose Missouri as KU’s opponent, it’s going to be the Kentucky Wildcats.

It just makes too much sense.

The Challenge is getting a makeover. It’s moving from sporadic dates in November and December, to one Saturday in January. This game would be a great headliner.

Yes, the two squads have played three times in the past four seasons, but they have all been on neutral courts. This is an opportunity to bring together two of the sport’s best in the most historic arena in the country.

It’s a game where fans of both schools should hold off wedding anniversary celebrations (if you were odd enough to get married in January), big work projects, and even child birth if possible, to watch this game.

(Ok, the birth of your child is an acceptable excuse, but at least set up some game alerts on your phone.)

Allen Fieldhouse was beyond loud on that glorious February day in 2012 when Thomas Robinson denied not only Phil Pressey’s shot, but an entire fan base a victory in the final (for now) Border War match-up.

It may never get louder in that building, but with the level of animosity John Calipari is building not only for him, but his team as well, around college basketball, Jayhawk fans could make it the loudest regular season game since Mizzou.

While it was fun for most of the country to root against an undefeated Kentucky season, the level of hate for a lot of Jayhawk fans, whether they admit it or not, stems from the fact the Wildcats are one of a very few schools to have Kansas’ number over the years.

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari reacts on the sideline against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men

The Jayhawks have had the more consistent program the past 25 years, but Kentucky can boast more national titles (seven to three), is the only team in the country with more overall wins than KU, and holds a 22-6 head-to-head record, including the last three.

That doesn’t sit well with Jayhawk fans — and it shouldn’t.

One home, regular season victory won’t erase all of that, but it sure would feel good to yell, scream, and cheer as loud as possible while watching a Kentucky team not only lose, but lose in Allen Fieldhouse.

Four of the Wildcats’ defeats in the series have come there, including the last three by an average score of 102-69.

However, they are still 5-4 in Lawrence all-time, and this would be a chance for Kansas to even the series.

Go ahead and purchase your popcorn for Jan. 30 now, because when the ball is tipped, and Calipari’s players can’t hear him because it’s too loud, you know it’s going to be a good show.

Just remember, you can always celebrate your anniversary Sunday afternoon.

Next: Naming The All-Bill Self Jayhawk Teams

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