The Kyung Hee University (KHU) basketball team maintained third place in the regular season standings on September 30, defeating Sangmyung University (SMU) by a 22-point margin. Having already secured a playoff spot, KHU has one game remaining against Dankook University (DKU) on October 8 to close out the regular season. Following Sungkyunkwan University’s (SKKU) victory over Korea University (KU) on October 6, KHU can now secure third place with a win, while a loss would send it to fourth.

Champion and Runner-up Decided, But The Race For Third Remains Tight 

The race for third place in this year's KUSF University Basketball U-League remained tight until the final week. Chung-Ang University was the first to seal its position, securing its first league title in 16 years with a victory over Dongguk University on October 1. SKKU also clinched second place after a dramatic win over KU on October 6, in which two Asian Games gold medalists Koo Min-kyo of SKKU and Lee Dong-guen of KU faced each other, but this time as an opponent.  

Win and Take Third, Lose and Finish Fourth

Though KHU's final game is on October 8, its bid for third place began two days earlier when SKKU and KU faced each other. Before the match, all three teams could have ended the season tied at 16 wins and 4 losses. In the event that three or more teams are tied, the Korea University Basketball Federation (KUBF) stipulates that "for the regular season, the team with the superior point differential, calculated on the basis of total points scored and total points conceded against all teams, shall be ranked higher." As of October 7, the three teams' point differentials stood at +305 for SKKU, +274 for KU, and +184 for KHU. If all three finished level at 16–4, KHU was therefore likely to finish fourth.

SKKU’s 17th win of the season eliminated the possibility of a three-way tie, meaning KHU can now secure third place with a win in its final game on October 8. A loss, on the other hand, would leave KHU and KU tied at 15–5, sending KHU down to fourth place. The KUBF rule clarifies that "when two teams have identical win-loss records, standings shall be determined by the head-to-head principle." KHU’s two losses to KU this season in April and September put KHU at a disadvantage under the league’s tiebreaker rules.

For KHU, the equation is now simple: win against DKU on October 8 and secure third place; lose, and fourth place awaits. With everything now in its own hands, KHU’s season will come down to one final game.