Here’s a bold statement: the No. 9 Kansas Jayhawks just handed the undefeated No. 1 Arizona Wildcats their first loss of the season—and they did it without their star player, Darryn Peterson. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a fluke, or is Kansas truly a contender? Let’s dive in.
In Lawrence, Kansas, Coach Bill Self had his eyes on a moment of glory. After watching North Carolina’s buzzer-beater and the ensuing court storm, he hoped for a similar electric atmosphere at Allen Fieldhouse. While Self assured, ‘We won’t storm the court,’ the 63-year-old coach celebrated like never before after an 82-78 victory over Arizona. This wasn’t just any win—it was historic. Kansas had never beaten a No. 1 team at Allen Fieldhouse, and Self was chasing a perfect 40-0 record on ‘Big Mondays.’ And this is the part most people miss: The circumstances were far from ideal. Less than an hour before tipoff, Self discovered Peterson in the training room, sidelined with flu-like symptoms, marking his 11th missed game this season. Or maybe, just maybe, Self is falling head over heels for this resilient team.
The Hall of Famer stood at the free-throw line, fists clenched and raised in triumph, a rare display of emotion. ‘I never do that,’ Self admitted. This team has injected him with a renewed energy, and he loves their ‘grimy’ style of play—a masterpiece in forcing opponents into mistakes. The Jayhawks have mastered this art, especially since a players-only meeting in early January. After a shaky start to Big 12 play, they’ve transformed into a defensive powerhouse, boasting the third-best defense in college basketball, according to Bart Torvik’s data.
But Monday’s game wasn’t all smooth sailing. In the first half, Arizona’s 7-foot-2 center, Motiejus Krivas, dominated the paint with 24 points, leaving KU’s Flory Bidunga looking outmatched. ‘Their big guy is good,’ Self conceded, ‘but I didn’t realize he was that good.’ Despite this, Kansas trailed by just three at halftime, thanks to freshman Bryson Tiller’s hot start (14 of his 18 points in the first half) and Jamari McDowell’s 10 points filling in for Peterson.
Here’s the controversial question: Did Arizona underestimate Kansas without Peterson, or did the Jayhawks simply outhustle them? Early in the second half, Arizona surged to an 11-point lead, but Melvin Council Jr.’s clutch three-pointer ignited a 9-2 run for KU. Council and Bidunga, who each scored 23 points, relentlessly attacked the rim, scrapping for offensive rebounds and second-chance opportunities. At one point, Tiller collapsed to the floor after a dunk, exhausted but undeterred. ‘It’s hard to be tired when the crowd’s like that,’ Self noted, crediting the relentless energy of Allen Fieldhouse.
The turning point? Defense. Kansas locked down the paint in the second half, with Bidunga’s rim protection neutralizing Krivas’ dominance. His game-sealing block in the final minute was, as Self put it, ‘as big as any play we’ve had.’ Afterward, Self embraced Bidunga and Council—Bidunga’s third hug of the season, prompting his joke, ‘We got to cut him off.’
While Bidunga’s defense is undeniable, Council is the heartbeat of this team. ‘How can you have a bad day when you’re around him?’ Self asked. Council has quickly become one of Self’s all-time favorites, a player who fits his system perfectly. But here’s the counterpoint: Is Kansas truly a title contender, or are they riding a wave of momentum that could crash at any moment? With Peterson’s inconsistent availability, can they sustain this level of play?
One thing’s certain: Self is back in the fight, and he’s excited about the future. ‘I don’t know where our ceiling is,’ he admitted, ‘but I know we’re not close to it yet.’ With Kansas trailing Houston and Arizona by just one game in the Big 12 race, the possibility of bigger games ahead has Self—and fans—on the edge of their seats.
What do you think? Is Kansas a legitimate threat, or will they falter down the stretch? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
