Kansas Grinds Out Statement Win Over No. 1 Arizona in Allen Fieldhouse Thriller
On a night that delivered all the drama you’d expect from a top-10 showdown in one of college basketball’s most storied arenas, Kansas found a way to win ugly-and that might be what makes this one so impressive.
The Jayhawks didn’t come out firing on all cylinders. In fact, they looked rushed, maybe even overwhelmed in the early going.
But as the game wore on, Kansas settled in, leaned on its grit, and clawed back against a tough Arizona squad. Head coach Bill Self summed it up best: “We were awful early, too sped up, maybe too excited... but we just kept grinding.”
That grind mentality was the difference.
A Game of Runs, and a Crowd That Never Let Up
Arizona pushed the lead to 11 early in the second half, threatening to break the game open. But Kansas didn’t blink.
The Jayhawks kept coming, possession by possession, feeding off a raucous Allen Fieldhouse crowd that Self said “wouldn’t let us get tired.” That energy translated into stops, hustle plays, and eventually, momentum.
It wasn’t the cleanest game-neither team played particularly sharp-but it was a battle. And in that kind of game, toughness matters. Kansas showed plenty of it.
Playing Without Darryn Peterson
The Jayhawks were without standout freshman Darryn Peterson, who was sidelined with flu-like symptoms. Self said they didn’t know for sure until about 7 p.m. that he wouldn’t be able to go, though he had missed practice the day before.
Still, the team didn’t flinch. “I didn’t have to do much,” Self said about preparing the group short-handed.
“They did that on their own.” And while Kansas is undoubtedly better with Peterson on the floor, his absence opened the door for others to step up.
Melvin Council Jr. took 25 shots, Florent Lubin was aggressive, and Bryson Warren made timely plays. Self admitted that without Peterson soaking up touches, others were forced to attack more-and that aggression paid off.
Interior Battle: A Tale of Two Halves
Arizona had its way inside early, dominating the paint in the first half. But Kansas responded after the break, tightening things up down low and making life tougher for the Wildcats’ bigs.
“Their big guy is really good,” Self said. “I knew he was good, but I didn’t know he was that good over both shoulders.”
Kansas didn’t win the paint outright, but they made it a fight. And in a game like this, that mattered.
Flory Bidunga's Impact Goes Beyond the Box Score
Freshman big man Flory Bidunga continues to show why he’s one of the most exciting young post players in the country. Offensively, he’s making strides. But it’s his defensive presence that changes games-even when he’s not blocking shots.
“They know he’s around,” Self said. “That makes a big difference.”
One play that stood out? A late-game block that Self called “probably as big a play as we made.”
Bidunga’s timing, length, and instincts were on full display-and in a game that came down to a few key possessions, his presence loomed large.
The Melvin Council Jr. Show
It’s becoming clear: Melvin Council Jr. is built for the moment. He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s owning the moment, and the crowd knows it.
“He owns this place,” Self said. “He’s as popular as any kid we’ve ever had play here.”
That’s high praise, especially in a program with Kansas’s history. But Council is earning it, night after night.
A Win That Resonates
This wasn’t just a win over the No. 1 team in the country-it was Kansas’s first time beating a top-ranked opponent at home. That’s a milestone moment, even for a program that’s seen it all.
Self acknowledged the significance, calling it “probably as big a regular-season game as college basketball has had to date.” But he also kept things in perspective, noting that both teams will play even bigger games down the line.
Still, the emotion was real. “I’m not usually overly emotional,” Self admitted, “but that was a big win for us today.”
Looking Ahead
With Peterson expected back soon and the team continuing to evolve, Self likes where this group is headed. “We’re better than what we played when we’ve got all our pieces, and that’s exciting,” he said. “I don’t know where our ceiling is yet, but I know we’re not close to it.”
And that’s the scary part-for the rest of college basketball. Kansas just beat the No. 1 team in the country without one of its best players, in a game where they didn’t even play their best basketball.
If this is what the Jayhawks look like grinding out a win, just imagine what they’ll be when everything clicks.