MANHATTAN — Casey Alexander’s inaugural non-conference schedule as Kansas State basketball coach has been released.
The slate features the Players Era 16 event in Las Vegas, a return game against Creighton at Bramlage Coliseum, and a matchup with Wichita State in Kansas City.
K-State’s Big 12 opponents were previously released, though dates have yet to be announced.
The Wildcats also announced they will host an exhibition game against Missouri on Oct. 23.
Here’s a look at the schedule:
Kansas State basketball’s Big 12 opponent matrix
Dates and times to be announced later.
- Home only: Arizona, Colorado, Houston, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech
- Away only: Baylor, BYU, UCF, Iowa State, Utah, West Virginia
- Both: Kansas, Cincinnati, Arizona State
Nov. 3 — vs. South Dakota State
- 2025-26 record: 14-18
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 221
The Alexander era opens with a date against the Jackrabbits, who are coming off their first season under Bryan Peterson after Eric Henderson left to become the Drake coach. Traditionally a decent mid-major, it was their first losing season since 2009.
Nov. 6 — vs. Cal State Northridge
- 2025-26 record: 20-14
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 178
The Matadors have had winning seasons in the three years since Andy Newman took over the program.
Nov. 10 — vs. Creighton
- 2025-26 record: 16-18
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 76
A return game after Kansas State beat the Bluejays 83-76 in Omaha last winter, Creighton enters the year with Alan Huss as head coach, following the offseason retirement of Greg McDermott. Huss was connected to the Kansas State opening before he decided to remain with Creighton. This should be the Wildcats’ first test of the year.
Nov. 16 — vs. Montana
- 2025-26 record: 18-16
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 190
Travis DeCuire has led Montana to nine consecutive winning seasons, which has included a trio of NCAA Tournament appearances.
Nov. 20 — vs. Campbell
- 2025-26 record: 16-18
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 185
Campbell enters its first season under new coach Jimmie Williams, who spent the last four years at Division II Anderson, which was a No. 1 seed in last year’s tournament.
Nov. 24 — vs. Gonzaga (Players Era 16, Las Vegas)
- 2025-26 record: 31-4
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 15
The Players Era 16 pits K-State against one of the best teams in the country to open the tournament. The Bulldogs should be a top 10 team entering the season.
Nov. 26 — vs. Alabama or Baylor (Players Era 16, Las Vegas)
K-State is unlikely to be favored in any Players Era matchup it plays. This one could see the Cats play Baylor and former coach Jerome Tang, who is back as the Bears’ associate head coach, on the second day.
Nov. 27 — vs. Michigan, Creighton, TCU or Miami (Players Era 16, Las Vegas)
It’s difficult to imagine Michigan being the matchup here. The other three are in play.
Dec. 4 — @ Seton Hall
- 2025-26 record: 21-12
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 51
A return game from the Pirates’ 78-67 win over K-State in mid-December, Seton Hall should be knocking on the door of an NCAA Tournament appearance in Shaheen Holloway’s fifth year.
Dec. 8 — vs. IU Indy
- 2025-26 record: 7-25
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 317
This should be a cupcake.
Dec. 11 — vs. Wichita State (Kansas City)
- 2025-26 record: 24-12
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 73
Kansas State and Wichita State renew their in-state rivalry in Kansas City. The Shockers should have a strong team after retaining many players from a second-place American finisher.
Dec. 18 — vs. Little Rock
- 2025-26 record: 12-20
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 310
The Trojans dipped to eight games under .500 after consecutive winning seasons.
Dec. 21 — vs. Lindenwood
- 2025-26 record: 18-15
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 267
The Lions are coming off their best season in the program’s four-year history as a Division I program.
Dec. 28 — vs. Omaha
- 2025-26 record: 16-17
- 2025-26 KenPom finish: 264
This should be a tune-up before the Big 12 slate starts.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State basketball, Casey Alexander release 2026-27 non-conference schedule
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