A game that won’t count, but could pay off: Duke-Kansas brings high stakes to Allen Fieldhouse

Lawrence, Kan. (AP) — In a game that won't count but could pay off, Duke and Kansas face off in Allen Fieldhouse. This matchup between two college basketball powerhouses is not only rare in terms of on-campus contests, but also brings significant financial benefits to the schools involved. Duke, a preseason top-ranked team, and Kansas, ranked No. 17, have only met 16 times, with the last encounter occurring 38 years ago in 1988.

The game, now dubbed the State Farm Blue Blood Classic, is sponsored by an insurance company and broadcast on ESPN. Seats for the event are priced at over $6,300 for prime courtside locations. The primary advantage of this exhibition game is the opportunity for both teams to play at a high level without risking their records. Historically, top schools have held such exhibitions against elite amateur teams, but since 2004, the NCAA has prohibited Division I schools from playing non-college teams.

Instead, they now engage in "secret scrimmages" or charity exhibitions. Money remains a driving force behind these high-profile exhibitions, with the lucrative Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) market enabling programs to attract top talent.