Feb 7, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) celebrates in the course of the first half of the sport in opposition to the Oklahoma State Cowboys at McKale Memorial Middle. Necessary Credit score: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Pictures No. 1 Arizona enters its sport at No. 11 Kansas on Monday with the most effective begin in program and Massive 12 historical past, topping the Jayhawks’ efficiency in 1996-97.
Arizona (23-0, 10-0 Massive 12) additionally has achieved the longest successful streak in its historical past. Its 9 straight weeks ranked No. 1 can be a program document.
The Jayhawks (18-5, 8-2) have received seven consecutive video games coming into the “Massive Monday” showdown at Lawrence, Kan.
“Massive sport; let’s go,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd stated after his crew routed visiting Oklahoma State 84-47 on Saturday. “I am positive the preparations have already began with the workers. Like I stated, I want we have been taking part in it (Sunday), we’ll are available in and we’ll put together, after which we’ll leap on the airplane and let’s have a look at what we received.”
Arizona is among the many nation’s leaders in common scoring margin (fifth at 21.0), rebounding (third at 43.4), field-goal proportion (51.6%), factors per sport (eleventh at 89.5) and assists per sport (18.2).
“They’re males; they dominate folks 12 toes and in,” Kansas coach Invoice Self stated of Arizona. “We have to play greater. We have to play more durable. We have to play stronger. We have to play smarter.
“After which, they guard, so we received to present them one thing to defend on the opposite finish. It’s going to be a enjoyable sport. It’s going to be a enjoyable ambiance. Solely sooner or later to prep, however hopefully we will determine one thing out to a minimum of gradual them down.”
Kansas is 38-0 at Allen Fieldhouse in Massive Monday video games underneath Self, however the Jayhawks have by no means defeated an Related Press No. 1-ranked crew of their present enviornment. They’re 0-5 in such video games.
The latest sport Kansas hosted a No. 1 crew was in 2003, when Arizona was the opponent. The Jayhawks have been outscored 52-22 within the second half, squandering a double-digit lead, and misplaced 91-74.
Kansas has additionally misplaced to top-ranked Oklahoma (1989), Kentucky (1977), Notre Dame (1974), and Cincinnati (1962) at Allen Fieldhouse.
“We performed there final yr,” Lloyd stated, referring to Arizona’s 83-76 loss. “I got here away considering, ‘All proper, it’s completely different.’ I’ve a sense these Jayhawk followers are going to be out for blood.”
Kansas will counter Arizona’s offensive effectivity with a protection that enables simply 67.3 factors per sport and a house document of 11-1 this season.
The Jayhawks’ success hinges on their taking pictures accuracy (47.9%) and the emergence of freshman standout Darryn Peterson, who’s averaging 20.5 factors in 13 video games. Peterson has been suffering from cramping.
Arizona’s younger expertise consists of freshmen Brayden Burries (team-leading 15.3 factors per sport) and Koa Peat (14.6 factors and 5.6 rebounds a sport).
The Wildcats’ presence inside consists of Tobe Awaka (9.9 rebounds a sport) and Motiejus Krivas (8.3 boards).
Self will depend on Flory Bidunga (14.6 factors and eight.9 rebounds a sport) to offset a few of Arizona’s inside energy.
“To me, there’s not a greater defender, no matter place wherever,” Self stated of Bidunga. “He is studying the best way to not gamble and make anyone rating over his size.”
Tre White, a guard, is second on the crew in rebounds with 7.1 a sport. He additionally averages 14.6 factors.
A key matchup might be on the perimeter between Kansas’ Peterson, White and Melvin Council Jr. (13.7 factors and 5.1 assists per sport) and Arizona’s Burries, Jaden Bradley (13.8 factors and 4.5 assists) and Ivan Kharchenkov (9.4 factors and 50.9% field-goal taking pictures).
–Discipline Degree Media
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