Bill Self and No. 14 Kansas are hitting the road for No. 2 Arizona in search of a second regular-season win over the Wildcats as the Big 12 schedule rapidly comes to a close ahead of the league tournament. The Jayhawks (21-7, 11-4) rebounded from the Cincinnati loss for a 69-56 home win over Houston on Monday; Arizona (26-2, 13-2) has won three games in a row over Baylor, Houston and BYU. Here’s a preview, prediction and key storylines to get you ready for tipoff in Tucson.
Kansas vs. Arizona Game Updated Odds
Arizona opened as a 8.5-point favorite with an over/under of 149.5 points this afternoon. By Saturday morning, the line has moved to Arizona as a 9.5-point favorite, while some sports books moved to -10. And the over/under has remained steady, with some coming down slightly to 148.5 or 149. At home, the Wildcats are 14-1 this season with that one loss coming in overtime against No. 16 Texas Tech 78-75 on Feb. 14.
Key Storyline: Is This One Bigger for Self or Lloyd?
Kansas coach Bill Self and Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd enter Saturday’s game with two rosters certainly worthy of the country’s top 15 if not the top 10. But Self and company, understandably, must prove themselves against Arizona on the road, even after handing the Wildcats their first of two regular-season losses at Allen Fieldhouse and without star Darryn Peterson on the floor. The tables are flipped this time around, with Koa Peat questionable for Arizona this weekend at home.
Match Up to Watch: Bidunga and Krivas Rematch
Kansas forward Flory Bidunga and Arizona center Motiejus Krivas led their respective offenses in the paint last time around; Bidunga challenged Brayden Burries‘ game-high 25 points with 23 on 8-of-11 shooting and 10 rebounds for a double-double. In road trips, Bidunga is nearly 66% from the floor; At home, Krivas is just 56.5% but flirting with a double-double average of 10.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg.
Prediction: Arizona 81, Kansas 75
It took extra minutes for Texas Tech to do the deed at the McKale Center, and Kansas enters the weekend’s marquee matchup just 5-4 in road games. Arizona is out to avenge its first of a two-game losing skid on Saturday, and will be especially urgent should Peat sit or see minimal minutes after returning to practice. Kansas’ biggest edge comes defensively with one of the country’s top talents in Bidunga and an average of 68.2 points allowed per game. The Jayhawks could spice up the league race by scratching a game off Arizona’s two-game lead in the Big 12, but it’s going to take a supreme defense under the loudest of environments.
