No. 2 Arizona can avenge its loss earlier this month at Kansas and clinch a share of the Big 12 regular-season title with a victory over the No. 14 Jayhawks on Saturday at Tucson, Ariz.
The Wildcats (26-2, 13-2 Big 12) have won three straight games, including at Houston on Saturday and Baylor on Tuesday.
Kansas (21-7, 11-4) can remain in the hunt for the regular-season title and No. 1 seed in the Big 12 tournament with a sweep over Arizona.
The Jayhawks handed Arizona its first loss of the season with an 82-78 victory on Feb. 9 at Lawrence, Kan. This came on the heels of the Wildcats posting a program-record 23-0 start to the season.
Kansas is coming off a 69-56 win over No. 5 Houston at Lawrence after losing its previous game there against Cincinnati.
“I don’t know where our ceiling is,” Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. “I know that we’re not close to it yet, though. I think that we got another big step that we can take, and it’s exciting to know that I believe our best ball can still be well ahead of us.”
Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson did not play in the previous matchup with Arizona because of flu-like symptoms.
The Jayhawks focused on the inside presence of Flory Bidunga, who finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Peterson is expected to be in the lineup Saturday, adding to the formidable perimeter that includes Tre White (14.0 points per game) and Melvin Council Jr. (13.5 points, 5.1 assists per game).
Arizona’s perimeter trio features Brayden Burries (15.5 points a game), Jaden Bradley (13.9 points and 4.7 assists per game) and Ivan Kharchenkov (10.1 points and 1.5 steals a game).
“We’re going in there with nothing but respect for Kansas and Coach Self,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “We know it’s going to be an incredible game. It’s going to be an awesome atmosphere. We’re here for it, and we’re excited for the opportunity to compete on such a big stage.”
Arizona freshman forward Koa Peat has missed the last three games with a lower-leg muscle strain.
Peat was listed as questionable at Baylor on Tuesday. He went through pre-game warmups but did not play.
Freshman reserve guard Dwayne Aristode has not played since the loss at Kansas because of an undisclosed illness.
“I think we hopefully have some reinforcements coming soon,” Lloyd said. “They’ll be welcomed. (Peat) would be a great reinforcement. I’ve got nothing confirmed. Hopefully, nearing the point where he’ll be able to play soon.”
Peat’s presence will make Arizona’s inside game more formidable.
Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas combine for 18.0 rebounds a game.
Awaka (9.6 points and 9.6 rebounds a game) is averaging nearly a double-double despite playing 21.5 minutes a game.
Krivas is shooting 58.5% from the field and is averaging 1.8 blocked shots per game.
“I think this Arizona team has a real shot (at winning a national title), I really do,” Self said. “They’ve got size, and the game’s going back to getting bigger, not smaller. I don’t know that I can remember playing against a team where their two bigs, no matter who they are in the game, can bludgeon you inside of 10 feet the way that they can.”
–Field Level Media
