The Arizona Wildcats travel to play the Kansas Jayhawks in a Big Monday match up set to tip off on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. CT. Both teams are on a roll. Kansas has won seven in a row after a 1-2 start in Big 12 play. Meantime, Arizona is 23-0, which gives them the best record to start a season in league history. Here’s a preview, prediction, key storylines and updated odds to keep an eye on in this match up as we get set for the game in Lawrence. Kansas.
Arizona vs. Kansas Basketball Odds
The Arizona Wildcats opened up as a 1.5-point favorite, with an over/under set at 151.0 total points. The Arizona vs. Kansas injury report dropped on Sunday night and did not move the line much. The line shifted prior to the injury report to Arizona -2.5 and a point total of 151.5. As we approach tip off, the line has not moved, but the over/under is up to 154 total points.
Key Storyline: Arizona’s History and Kansas’ History
Here comes Arizona with its 23-0 record, which is a new Big 12-best to start a season, breaking the KU record of 22-0 set in 1996-97. And now, Arizona puts that record on the line at Kansas, where head coach Bill Self is 38-0 on Big Monday games. However, the Jayhawks have never defeated an Associated Press No. 1-ranked team in their current arena. They are 0-5 in such games. So, what’s going to give?!
Match Up to Watch: Arizona Offense vs. Kansas Defense
Arizona wins game with efficiency on the offense end. They are No. 1 in the Big 12 Conference with a 51.6% field goal percentage. Meantime, Kansas’ defense ranks No. 1 in the Big 12 at 38.0%, which is one slot ahead of Arizona’s defense (38.8%). If Arizona has its way in the paint on offense, along with the offense rebounding which has been a staple for the Cats, then they’ll leave Lawrence with a win.
Prediction: Kansas 82, Arizona 78
Kansas can play with the Arizona big boys down low. These teams mirror each other in rebounding. KU actually leads the Big 12 in blocked shots per game, as well. And Allen Fieldhouse. Don’t kid yourself. If you’re reading this for the first time as an Arizona fan, and you think it doesn’t matter, it does. It’s different. The scene is going to be wild, and it’s going to be worth a few points, maybe more, in this one. Darryn Peterson looks healthier than he’s been all season, playing a season high 35 and 34 minutes in each of the past two games. Also, with Arizona allergic to the three-point shot, one of the ways teams can win at KU is by getting hot from deep. That seems almost impossible for the Arizona team. I’ll take the home team.
