photo by: Kansas Athletics

Kansas guard Laia Conesa dribbles up the court during the game against Greek Select in Athens, Greece, on Aug. 13, 2023.

On the heels of last week’s announcement that the Kansas women’s basketball team will face formidable UConn and Virginia Tech squads in the Cayman Islands, KU Athletics has announced the rest of its nonconference schedule.

The Jayhawks will open the season at home against Northwestern State on Nov. 8 and embark on an 11-game slate that also features away games against Penn State (Nov. 13), Texas A&M (Dec. 3) and in-state rival Wichita State (Dec. 10).

“One glance at our non-conference schedule and it won’t take long to see we are challenging our team and program at the highest level,” KU coach Brandon Schneider said in a news release. “Whether at home, on the road, or at a neutral site, we will find out a lot about our potential strengths and the areas we must improve prior to starting Big 12 play.”

The Jayhawks beat Texas A&M and Wichita State soundly last season but had a pair of hotly contested matchups with Nebraska, which it hosts Dec. 20. KU lost 85-79 on the road in triple overtime to the Cornhuskers in its final nonconference game last year, despite 27 points from Zakiyah Franklin and double-doubles by Taiyanna Jackson and Holly Kersgieter. However, the Jayhawks avenged that loss in the Super 16 of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament three months later. They lead the all-time series 51-34.

KU also hosts a trio of opponents it has never played before: Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 30), Houston Christian (Dec. 6) and Central Arkansas (Dec. 16).

The only other game on tap is a road date 40 minutes from home at the Municipal Auditorium against Kansas City on Nov. 18.

Last year’s Jayhawks won the WNIT, and four experienced starters from that team will return. This season’s squad went on an overseas tour of Italy and Greece earlier in August and will next be in action at Late Night in the Phog on Oct. 6.