Flory Bidunga Rises to the Moment in Kansas’ Statement Win Over No. 1 Arizona
Flory Bidunga came into this season with sky-high expectations-and he's done nothing but meet them, night after night. Touted by his teammates and coaches as the best defender in the country, the sophomore big man has been a force in the paint all season long.
But Monday night was a different kind of test. Hosting the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse, Bidunga had to go toe-to-toe with one of the deepest and most physical frontcourts in college basketball.
Arizona doesn’t just flirt with the paint-they live in it. The Wildcats rank third nationally in percentage of points scored from two-point range, and they bring the size to back it up.
Between 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas, bruising sixth man Tobe Awaka, and projected top-15 NBA Draft pick Koa Peat, the Wildcats make life miserable for opposing bigs. But Bidunga didn’t blink.
A Quiet First Half-By His Standards
In the opening 20 minutes, Bidunga wasn’t overwhelmed, but he wasn’t quite his dominant self either. Arizona’s length and physicality kept him from taking over early.
He tallied seven points on 2-of-4 shooting, pulled down two rebounds, blocked two shots, and turned the ball over once. Solid numbers, but not the game-changing presence Kansas fans have grown used to.
But the second half? That’s when Bidunga reminded everyone why he’s one of the most impactful players in college basketball.
A Second-Half Surge That Sealed the Upset
Coming out of the locker room, Bidunga looked like a different player. He turned up the intensity, controlling the paint on both ends of the floor and helping Kansas claw their way to an 82-78 upset victory.
In the final 20 minutes, Bidunga poured in 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds, and added a block and a steal. He was everywhere-altering shots, cleaning the glass, and finishing through contact.
And when Kansas needed a closer, Bidunga delivered. With Arizona threatening late, he came up with a massive block on Brayden Burries, who was trying to cut the lead to one. Instead, Bidunga’s denial helped preserve the lead and ultimately lock down head coach Bill Self’s first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked team at Allen Fieldhouse.
"Iron Sharpens Iron"-Practice Battles That Prepare for Moments Like This
After the game, Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. was asked about Bidunga’s ability to handle Arizona’s frontcourt pressure. His answer pointed to the work being done behind the scenes.
“I see him battle Paul [Mbiya] every day,” Council said. “Like, it was just like a Paul and Flory matchup, and I see that every day, so I wasn't worried about Flo.”
That practice matchup might not get the headlines, but it’s clearly making a difference. Mbiya, a 7-footer himself, joined Kansas after decommitting from NC State last June. The freshman hasn’t played heavy minutes-just 14 appearances this season, none longer than 11 minutes-but even in limited action, he showed flashes of what he can become.
With Bidunga on the bench late in the first half, Mbiya stepped in and made his presence felt, recording a block and a foul in just a couple of high-leverage minutes. It was a small sample, but in a game this big, every contribution mattered.
Looking Ahead
Bidunga’s performance against Arizona was more than just a personal statement-it was a message to the rest of the country. He’s not just a defensive anchor or a shot-blocking specialist. He’s a game-changer, the kind of player who can tilt the balance in a top-five matchup.
For Kansas, the win over the Wildcats could be a turning point. And for Mbiya, watching Bidunga dominate on the biggest stage offers a glimpse of the path forward. The freshman may only be playing spot minutes now, but the blueprint is right in front of him.
Bidunga didn’t just show up against Arizona-he showed out. And if this is the level he can sustain, Kansas has a real shot to make noise when the games matter most.