No. 1 Arizona enters its recreation at No. 11 Kansas on Monday with the most effective begin in program and Huge 12 historical past, topping the Jayhawks’ efficiency in 1996-97.
Arizona (23-0, 10-0 Huge 12) additionally has achieved the longest successful 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 “Huge Monday” showdown at Lawrence, Kan.
“Huge recreation; 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 taking part in 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 bought.”
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 recreation (eleventh at 89.5) and assists per recreation (18.2).
“They’re males; they dominate folks 12 toes and in,” Kansas coach Invoice Self mentioned of Arizona. “We have got to play larger. We have got to play harder. We have got to play stronger. We have got to play smarter.
“After which, they guard, so we bought to provide them one thing to defend on the opposite finish. It will be a enjoyable recreation. It will be a enjoyable ambiance. Solely in the future to prep, however hopefully we will determine one thing out to not less than gradual them down.”
Kansas is 38-0 at Allen Fieldhouse in Huge 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 newest recreation 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 considering, ‘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 permits simply 67.3 factors per recreation and a house report 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 tormented by cramping.
Arizona’s younger expertise consists of freshmen Brayden Burries (team-leading 15.3 factors per recreation) and Koa Peat (14.6 factors and 5.6 rebounds a recreation).
The Wildcats’ presence inside consists of Tobe Awaka (9.9 rebounds a recreation) and Motiejus Krivas (8.3 boards).
Self will depend on Flory Bidunga (14.6 factors and eight.9 rebounds a recreation) to offset a few of Arizona’s inside energy.
“To me, there’s not a greater defender, no matter place anyplace,” Self mentioned of Bidunga. “He is studying easy methods to not gamble and make any person rating over his size.”
Tre White, a guard, is second on the crew in rebounds with 7.1 a recreation. He additionally averages 14.6 factors.
A key matchup will probably be on the perimeter between Kansas’ Peterson, White and Melvin Council Jr. (13.7 factors and 5.1 assists per recreation) 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).
–Subject Stage Media
