The Big 12 race is heating up, and Kansas is right in the thick of it after a pivotal victory over Houston on Monday night. This win, coupled with their earlier triumph against Arizona, has put the Jayhawks in a strong position. Now, the stage is set for a rematch against Arizona, this time on the Wildcats' home turf.
In their first encounter, Kansas faced a late curveball with Darryn Peterson sidelined just before tipoff. Despite this setback, the Jayhawks pulled off a stunning upset.
Now, it's Arizona's turn to potentially face adversity. Wildcats star Koa Peat has been nursing a lower-body injury, missing the last four games, but there's hope he'll suit up against Kansas.
Additionally, Dwayne Aristode, a key bench player, has been out due to illness, but his return is anticipated.
The absence of Peat and Aristode has exposed some vulnerabilities for Arizona, particularly in rebounding. Their return could spell trouble for Kansas, who have struggled on the boards, ranking last in the Big 12 with just 9.4 offensive rebounds per game. In contrast, Arizona tops the conference in both offensive and defensive rebounding, boasting impressive averages of 13.2 and 30.0, respectively.
A win against Kansas would bring Arizona a step closer to securing the Big 12 regular season title. However, a loss could complicate their path, adding pressure to the Wildcats. If Peat and Aristode remain sidelined, Kansas might find an opening to capitalize on Arizona's rebounding challenges and notch another significant victory.