No.14 Kansas Jayhawks will be traveling to Tucson to face the No.2 Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center. The Jayhawks had already handed Arizona its first loss in Conference play, and now Kansas hopes to continue with this momentum.
On the other hand, Arizona looks to clinch at least a share of the regular-season title and avenge that defeat. So, how will this matchup pan out? Let’s find out.
Kansas vs. Arizona Prediction
The spotlight has been on Arizona ever since it started taking the college basketball world by storm in November. The Wildcats knocked off defending champion Florida in Las Vegas and got off to a program-record 23-0 start. However, they haven’t been able to maintain that clean record after facing consecutive losses and finding themselves on the cusp of their first Big 12 championship with just a week left in the regular season.
If we were looking at the numbers, Arizona outscores its opponents by 18.3 points per game, averaging 87.2 points per game while allowing just 68.9. The Wildcats, on the other hand, average 40.3 rebounds per game, which ranks them second in the country and shoot 50% from the field. Kansas puts up 76.6 points per game while holding opponents to 68.2, which signifies a solid defense but with an offensive gap.
Kansas has the talent to keep this game a close tie, especially with a healthy Darryn Peterson and a dominating center like Flory Bidunga. However, the Jayhawks have been their own worst enemy at times this season, with big wins over ranked opponents followed by puzzling losses against unranked teams. ESPN’s matchup predictor estimates an 81.1% chance for Arizona to clinch this matchup
Kansas vs. Arizona Lineups
Arizona Lineup
- Brayden Burries
- Jaden Bradley
- Ivan Khrachenkov
- Motiejus Krivas
- Koa Peat
Kansas Lineup
- Darryn Peterson
- Tre White
- Melvin Council Jr.
- Bryson Tiller
- Flory Bidunga
Kansas vs. Arizona Injury Report
The only player reported OUT for the Kansas Jayhawks is Will Thengvall. However, the good news is that Darryn Peterson is expected to be back in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Wildcats. In the last two games, Peterson has logged healthy minutes, playing 32 minutes in Cincinnati and 30 in the win over Houston on February 23.
For Arizona, Koa Peat has been upgraded to PROBABLE after missing the last three games with a lower-leg muscle strain. Furthermore, freshman Dwayne Aristode, who has not played since February 9, is also expected to return.
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