No. 1 Arizona enters its sport at No. 11 Kansas on Monday with one of the best 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 profitable streak in its historical past. Its 9 straight weeks ranked No. 1 can also be a program report.
The Jayhawks (18-5, 8-2) have gained seven consecutive video games getting into the “Massive Monday” showdown at Lawrence, Kan.
“Massive sport; let’s go,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd mentioned after his crew routed visiting Oklahoma State 84-47 on Saturday. “I am certain the preparations have already began with the employees. Like I mentioned, I want we have been enjoying it (Sunday), we’ll are available in and we’ll put together, after which we’ll leap on the aircraft and let’s examine 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 mentioned of Arizona. “We have to play larger. We have to play harder. We have to play stronger. We have to play smarter.
“After which, they guard, so we received to provide them one thing to defend on the opposite finish. It’s going to be a enjoyable sport. It’s going to be a enjoyable environment. Solely someday to prep, however hopefully we are able to determine one thing out to at the least sluggish them down.”
Kansas is 38-0 at Allen Fieldhouse in Massive Monday video games beneath Self, however the Jayhawks have by no means defeated an Related Press No. 1-ranked crew of their present area. 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 mentioned, referring to Arizona’s 83-76 loss. “I got here away pondering, ‘All proper, it’s totally 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 report of 11-1 this season.
The Jayhawks’ success hinges on their capturing 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 power.
“To me, there’s not a greater defender, no matter place wherever,” Self mentioned of Bidunga. “He is studying easy methods to not gamble and make someone 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 can 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 capturing).
–Subject Degree Media
