No. 1 Arizona enters its recreation at No. 11 Kansas on Monday with one of the best begin in program and Large 12 historical past, topping the Jayhawks’ efficiency in 1996-97.
Arizona (23-0, 10-0 Large 12) additionally has achieved the longest successful streak in its historical past. Its 9 straight weeks ranked No. 1 can be a program document.
The Jayhawks (18-5, 8-2) have received seven consecutive video games getting into the “Large Monday” showdown at Lawrence, Kan.
“Large recreation; let’s go,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd stated after his group routed visiting Oklahoma State 84-47 on Saturday. “I am certain the preparations have already began with the employees. Like I stated, I want we had been enjoying it (Sunday), we’ll are available and we’ll put together, after which we’ll bounce on the aircraft and let’s examine what we acquired.”
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 individuals 12 toes and in,” Kansas coach Invoice Self stated of Arizona. “We have to play greater. We have to play more durable. We have to play stronger. We have to play smarter.
“After which, they guard, so we acquired to provide them one thing to defend on the opposite finish. It will be a enjoyable recreation. It will be a enjoyable ambiance. Solely someday to prep, however hopefully we are able to determine one thing out to a minimum of sluggish them down.”
Kansas is 38-0 at Allen Fieldhouse in Large Monday video games beneath Self, however the Jayhawks have by no means defeated an Related Press No. 1-ranked group of their present enviornment. They’re 0-5 in such video games.
The latest recreation Kansas hosted a No. 1 group was in 2003, when Arizona was the opponent. The Jayhawks had 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 12 months,” Lloyd stated, referring to Arizona’s 83-76 loss. “I got here away considering, ‘All proper, it’s completely 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 document 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 affected 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 wherever,” Self stated of Bidunga. “He is studying the best way to not gamble and make someone rating over his size.”
Tre White, a guard, is second on the group in rebounds with 7.1 a recreation. He additionally averages 14.6 factors.
A key matchup will likely 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).
–Area Stage Media
