KU to Host KSU on ESPN College GameDay in Men's Basketball on Kansas Day
Aug. 25, 2010
KU Players’ Reaction to ESPN College GameDay Announcement
LAWRENCE, Kan. – The eyes of the men’s college basketball world will focus on the state of Kansas Saturday, January 29, when ESPN originates College GameDay from historic Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks will battle Kansas State at 6 p.m. (Central) on ESPN.
Coincidentally, the date marks Kansas Day – the 150th anniversary of Kansas becoming the 34th State in the Union.
For KU, this will mark the fourth time Allen Fieldhouse will host ESPN College GameDay in the seven-year history of the show. Last year, the Sunflower Showdown in Manhattan took center stage for ESPN GameDay with KU edging KSU, 81-79 in overtime.
“This is a great way to showcase the KU program and the Big 12 in what will be a big celebration for our state,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “The (ESPN College) GameDay crew has not been here since we renovated Allen Fieldhouse, so this will be good to show the nation what improvements we have made to the best venue for college basketball.”
Kansas and Kansas State are in many preseason national top 10 polls heading into the 2010-11 season. The Jayhawks return three starters, 12 letterwinners and are six-time defending Big 12 regular-season champions, while the Wildcats advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight and return four starters from 2009-10.
“The Big 12 is going to be terrific once again this year with a lot of outstanding teams,” Self said. “I feel Kansas and Kansas State will be two of those teams contending for the conference title this season,”
Also in celebration of Kansas Day, the KU women’s team will be playing at Kansas State on January 29. Start time for that game is to be determined.
“As we celebrate Kansas Day and the 150th year of our state, we are excited to share this Sunflower Showdown with the entire the nation,” Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson said. “The tradition of basketball is rich in Kansas, and both the men’s and women’s teams of the University of Kansas and Kansas State University are respected programs in the Big 12. It is a pleasure to welcome ESPN GameDay to the state of Kansas for the second straight year and for this exciting rivalry.”
Kansas has actually been featured every season on ESPN College GameDay. In addition to last year’s game at Kansas State, in 2006 Kansas played at Texas with ESPN College GameDay present.
2011 ESPN College GameDay Schedule
Date – Site – Game(s)
Jan. 15 – Knoxville, Tenn. – Vanderbilt at Tennessee (men & women)
Jan. 22 – West Lafayette, Ind. – Michigan State at Purdue
Jan. 29 – LAWRENCE, KAN. – KANSAS STATE AT KANSAS
Feb. 5 – Lexington, Ky. – Florida at Kentucky
Feb. 12 – Philadelphia, Pa. – Pittsburgh at Villanova
Feb. 19 – East Lansing, Mich. – Illinois at Michigan State
Feb. 26 – Blacksburg, Va. – Duke at Virginia Tech
March 5 – Waco, Texas – Texas at Baylor
