The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team pulled off a thrilling victory against then-undefeated Arizona, ranked No. 1 at the time, with an 82-78 win at Allen Fieldhouse. This impressive feat was accomplished without their standout freshman, Darryn Peterson, who was sidelined due to flu-like symptoms.
Arizona's coach, Tommy Lloyd, is gearing up for a rematch this Saturday against the now No. 14-ranked Jayhawks. With Peterson expected to play, Lloyd acknowledges the challenge ahead. Despite missing 11 games this season due to various injuries and illness, Peterson has shown resilience, playing significant minutes in recent matchups against Houston and Cincinnati.
In their win over Houston, Peterson contributed 14 points, displaying his competitive nature and skill. Lloyd recognizes Peterson as a key player, noting his potential impact as the season winds down.
In their previous clash, KU's sophomore forward Flory Bidunga was a force, scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Freshman Bryson Tiller and senior guard Melvin Council Jr. also made significant contributions. Arizona's Brayden Burries led his team with 25 points, while center Motiejus Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov added depth to the Wildcats' effort.
Lloyd praises Kansas for their high standards and acknowledges the threat they pose. Although Arizona lost the rebounding battle in the first meeting, Lloyd emphasizes the importance of boxing out to compete on the boards this time around.
The Wildcats boast a strong home record at McKale Center, with only one loss this season. As they prepare to host the Jayhawks, Lloyd hopes the home crowd will create an atmosphere as intense as the one they faced at Allen Fieldhouse.
Arizona is on the cusp of clinching a share of the regular-season conference title, making Saturday's game crucial. While Kansas has had an up-and-down stretch, Lloyd remains focused on the challenge, understanding the caliber of the Jayhawks' program and the atmosphere awaiting them.
This matchup promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with both teams eager to make a statement as the season heads into its final stretch.