A home-and-home for the history books

So if Facebook/Meta owns the trademark for “X” in social networking, and Microsoft owns it in finance/commerce, does that mean we can just keep calling it Twitter? Just trying to ensure I can get my transfer portal updates in a timely manner.

Let's get to Monday’s hoops news.

1. Mark your calendars

Most summer days are quiet when it comes to college basketball news. And some days drop an absolutely delightful bit of happiness into your life.

This will be the first time UNC will play in Lawrence since 1960. KU has never played in Chapel Hill. That factoid on its own would be enough to get excited about this home-and-home; but with it being two of the most storied programs in college hoops history, get ready for an onslaught of (well-deserved) hype.

Kansas and North Carolina have played just 12 times, starting with the 1957 NCAA Championship game that went to three OTs and saw the unbeaten Tar Heels hand Wilt Chamberlain’s Jayhawks a 54-53 loss. (The facts in that sentence are a little absurd.) The last time they played was the 2022 NCAA Championship game. Five of the other meetings have been NCAA Tournament games, including three additional times in the Final Four.

So yeah. When these two play, it’s usually meaningful.

“These will be two great games from programs whose rich histories are intertwined so much,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “It will be a special day in both Chapel Hill and Lawrence when we play and I am looking forward to it.”

The series is tied 6-6. (Of course.)

Entering this season, Kansas has more wins (2,385) than any other D-I program. UNC is third with 2,347. They’ve combined for 10 titles and 37 Final Fours.

“These two games should be exciting for players and coaches on both teams and a win for fans of college basketball,” UNC coach Hubert Davis said. “It’s an opportunity for two great programs to play in each other’s home arenas, which are among the best and most historic in our game.”

One can only hope this starts a regular home-and-home series between the schools. Once Kansas native and alum Dean Smith became North Carolina’s coach in 1961, scheduling a game against his former school wasn’t a priority. And when North Carolina graduate Roy Williams became Kansas’ coach in 1989, the same thing applied (not to mention Roy vs. Dean wasn’t happening). Then Roy coached Carolina until Davis took over after the 2020-21 season.

Now? Let’s make this a regular thing, guys.

2. NCAA insight on expansion, schedules, and the NET

In case you missed it yesterday, take some time to listen to Dan Gavitt, NCAA Vice President of Men’s Basketball, who stopped by the Goodman and Hummel podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on essential hoops topics.

Some credit to Jeff Goodman on this for opening with the elephant in the room: NCAA Tournament expansion. Gavitt didn’t go into significant details but did explain the goals behind expansion conversations, benefits for teams and the NCAA and what any kind of timeline might look like.

Importantly, Gavitt noted expansion isn’t imminent. (Many fans exhale in relief.) However, his tone indicated it will coming at some point. So prepare yourselves.

He also discussed the state of the game, conference realignment, scheduling benefits for must-see matchups in November and more.

Too heavy for a summer topic? Fair enough. How about you watch this segment and just focus on Goodman’s face during explanations about how the NET Rating works?

3. Nebraska’s late move won’t help its foreign trip

We don’t discuss Fred Hoiberg’s Cornhuskers much. Suppose that’s how it goes when you’ve won 40 games in four seasons, had just two 20-win seasons this century and made one NCAA Tournament in the last 25 years.

Things may not be much different in 2023-24, either.

The team’s headed to Spain for a summer tour, but a third of its roster won’t playing. Josiah Allick, Sam Hoiberg and Blaise Keita are out, while Rienk Mast and Keisei Tominaga are playing for their country’s international teams.

Allick and Keita are on track to recover from off-season surgeries (they’re just not ready yet), while Hoiberg is dealing with back pain.

It’s enough to make me wonder if they grabbed forward Matar Diop to fill out the roster for the trip.

Nah. He won’t be headed to Spain, though Hoiberg did laud Diop’s potential.

"He just really brings us an element we didn't have on this team, with the ability to protect the rim and the athleticism," Hoiberg told the Omaha World-Herald. "He gives us a lob threat."

Dunno how much that lob threat will play this season, especially if Allick and Keita are ready to go. Instead, he’s viewed as a developmental player, something the Huskers could use.

Still. Woulda been nice for Nebraska to have him in Spain.

More recruiting news:

• Jonathan Mekonnen, a 2024 forward, committed to Colorado State.

• Albany snagged Amir Lindsey, a 2024 guard prospect.

Links as you make plans to adopt a Neopet. Again.

• UNC and KU weren’t the only interesting home-and-home series announced Monday: Princeton and Furman will start one this season.

• Here’s the bracket for the Maui Invitational, a tourney I’ve been saving for since the field was announced.

• A strategy the NCAA might use to challenge NIL state laws.

• Matt Painter will be an assistant on the USA Basketball Men’s Select Team.

• Jay Kuntz, West Virginia’s director of player personnel/recruiting, could probably use a vacation.

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