Kansas Snaps Arizona’s 23-Game Win Streak in Big Monday Thriller at Allen Fieldhouse
For 39 straight Big Monday matchups at Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas has walked off their home court unbeaten-and Monday night, they made sure that streak didn’t end against the No. 1 team in the country.
In a heavyweight showdown between two of the Big 12’s best, No. 9 Kansas handed No.
1 Arizona its first loss since opening night, edging the Wildcats 82-78 in a game that lived up to every bit of its prime-time billing. The result snapped Arizona’s 23-game win streak and added another chapter to Kansas’ dominance at home in marquee matchups.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd said postgame. “If a guy’s 38-0 on his home court on Big Mondays, it’s probably pretty hard to win here.”
And he wasn’t wrong.
Burries Shines, But Kansas Closes Strong
Brayden Burries was electric for Arizona, pouring in 25 points to lead all scorers. The freshman guard was locked in from deep, knocking down 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and keeping Arizona in striking distance down the stretch. Koa Peat added 14 points of his own, while Motiejus Krivas owned the glass with 15 rebounds-many of them leading to crucial second-chance points that kept Arizona’s offense alive.
But Kansas had answers. Melvin Council Jr. and Flory Bidunga each dropped 23 points, leading the Jayhawks with a blend of power and poise.
Council Jr. was especially clutch, going 10-for-11 from the free throw line, including a perfect stretch in the final minutes that helped Kansas hold off Arizona’s late rally. Bidunga added 10 rebounds and six assists, showcasing the all-around game that’s made him one of the most impactful bigs in the conference.
Fast Start, Fierce Finish
Arizona came out swinging, opening the game with a 6-0 run sparked by Ivan Kharchenkov’s early layup. The Wildcats built a 7-point lead midway through the first half, with Jaden Bradley and Burries helping to control the tempo. But Kansas never let the game get away from them.
A fast-break dunk from Tre White cut Arizona’s lead to three, and a quick burst from Elmarko Jackson, Bidunga, and Jamari McDowell tied the game at 38 with under three minutes left in the half. Burries answered with a deep three, and Arizona held a slim 45-42 lead at the break.
The second half mirrored the first-Arizona struck first, but Kansas kept chipping away. With just under 10 minutes to play, Bidunga gave Kansas its first lead of the night with a layup, and from there, the Jayhawks found their rhythm. Council Jr. knocked down a pair of free throws to stretch the lead to five, but Burries came right back with a three to keep Arizona in it.
The final minute was a flurry of clutch plays and pressure-packed free throws. Burries drilled a three with 30 seconds left to cut the lead to one, but Kansas kept its composure at the line. Council Jr. and White each hit a pair of free throws in the closing seconds, and despite a fast-break bucket from Krivas to make it a two-point game, the Jayhawks sealed the deal with five seconds left.
What’s Next for Arizona
It’s a tough loss, but far from a backbreaker for the Wildcats. They’re still sitting atop the Big 12 standings and have a chance to bounce back quickly with a home matchup against No.
14 Texas Tech on Saturday. With just four home games left before the Big 12 Tournament, every possession-and every fan in the stands-matters that much more.
This Arizona team has shown it can hang with anyone, and Monday night was no exception. They went toe-to-toe with a Kansas squad that’s nearly unbeatable at home in these spotlight games. The streak may be over, but the Wildcats’ championship aspirations are still very much alive.