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Missouri basketball schedules neutral-site game vs former Big 12 rival

Make that five neutral-site games for Missouri basketball this upcoming season, as the Tigers have added another game — and renewed an old rivalry — to their 2026-27 schedule in Kansas City.

Mizzou will take on Nebraska on Dec. 12 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, according to a social media post from the Missouri basketball X account on Thursday. That is six days after the Tigers will take on Kansas in the same arena for the Border War matchup.

In addition to the two neutral-site games in KC, Mizzou will face Illinois in the Braggin’ Rights game on a still-to-be-announced date in December and reportedly will play Saint Louis on Nov. 6, with both games expected to be played at Enterprise Center.

Missouri currently has two other known games on its slate for next season, including another neutral-site matchup against Marquette on Nov. 15 at United Center in Chicago. Missouri also is expected to play Howard at Mizzou Arena sometime this offseason.

This is shaping up to be head coach Dennis Gates’ toughest nonconference schedule since he took over the program ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Gates indicated at an athletic department caravan stop in April that he was planning a stronger nonconference strength of schedule this upcoming season, citing the expansion of the NCAA Tournament field from 68 to 76 teams as a reason to add stronger opponents to the Tigers' November and December calendar.

With the addition of the Cornhuskers to the schedule, Missouri is scheduled to face four NCAA Tournament teams from last season in KU, Illinois, Nebraska and, if it is officially scheduled, Saint Louis. You can add another high-major program to that list in Marquette.

Nebraska, coached by Fred Hoiberg, is coming off the first Sweet 16 berth (and first NCAA Tournament wins) in program history. The Cornhuskers went 28-7 last season and finished the season ranked No. 14 in the final AP poll.

The historic rivals and former Big 12 programs have faced off on the hardwood 219 times since their first meeting in 1908, but they have not met since 2011. Missouri holds the all-time series lead at 126-93.

Missouri has only played three teams — Kansas, Kansas State and Iowa State — more times in its history.

The tipoff time and TV designation for Mizzou’s game against the Cornhuskers will be announced at a later date. Tickets for the game also will go on sale at a later date, per a Missouri news release.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Missouri basketball schedules neutral-site game vs former Big 12 rival

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